2006 Nissan Pathfinder problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (382) · Fuel System, Gasoline (83) · Fuel/Propulsion System (58)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Pathfinder model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
741 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling 2010-10-28 · campaign 10V517000 · 747,480 vehicles
Defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2010-05-20 · campaign 10E019000 · 1,873 vehicles
Defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CH
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank 2010-03-03 · campaign 10V075000 · 80,689 vehicles
Defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Service bulletins (77)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · ITB09-063C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Air Bags 2024-07-08 · NTB23-081C · Service Campaign
voluntary safety recall campaign 2005-2013 frontier, pathfinder, and xterra; driver air bag cover campaign id #: pc945 and pc948 applied vehicles: 2005-2013 frontier (d40) 2005-2012 pathfinder (r51) 2005-2013 xterra (n50) check service comm or dealer business systems (dbs) national service history t
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 77 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i've ran out of gas twice my indicator the gas tank gauge does not show that the vehicle is empty it shows it's full and then i run out of gas on the side of the road almost get hit by cars trying to get to gas station to get more gas in the middle of traffic very dangerous have my daughter with me trying to push my vehicle out of the way so i don'…”
2025-01-16 · Fuel System, Gasoline“see attached document for complaint. …”
2024-10-11 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump · 130,000 mi“the contact stated that the company owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed a full tank, then suddenly displayed that the fuel was empty, improperly displaying the fuel level. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the fuel level sensor was high causing the fuel pump to fail. the contact was …”
2024-06-12 · Power Train · 128,364 mi“the contact owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of transmission failure during the gear shifting. the contact stated that the gear shifter would remain in neutral. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed w…”
2023-11-24 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i was hit on the drivers side, where the front drivers door stops and the back door begins. the other drivers was estimated at going 50-60 mph. my car spun and rolled over 360 degrees. none of the airbags deployed. the sheriff, ambulance, firefighters all told me to report it. the car was totaled at the scene so unfortunately no inspections were ab…”
2022-09-14 · Power Train“transmission oil cooler line in radiator broke causing coolant and transmission oil to mix and car is not driveable and needs $3,000 repairs…”
2022-09-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“car shuts off in the middle of driving & also when simply parked. it starts jerking like it’s trying to catch up then it kills. it’s happened in front of traffic and busy roadways/intersections. it has happened more than once. …”
2021-12-02 · Vehicle Speed Control“unknown. every time i drive above 50 mph the car vibrates hard and it’s audible. it feels like the engine. i had it checked out by two mechanics but they couldn’t figure it out. i had my wheels balanced, bought new tires at the mechanic suggestion. that hasn’t helped. i’m not sure if this is safe to drive and it doesn’t make me feel safe. this has…”
2021-07-17 · Power Train“.transmission failed do to coolant in transmission. .got stuck in traffic and couldn’t go anywhere .this is a known problem with these vehicles .vehicle has been inspected by owner who is a mechanic .there were no warning signs …”
2021-03-20 · Power Train · 190,000 mi“the transmission started slipping a little let for us when i start from the stop sign or from a dead stop when the engine is cool and i 1st stop it runs fine for the 1st minute or 2 but then as i'm driving all of sudden it start slipping real bad if i'm in regular drive would you overdrive on which in 5th gear cannot go on the highway after 55 mile…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.