2006 Nissan Pathfinder
The Verdict
The 2006 Nissan Pathfinder has 836 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (539 complaints) and transmission (195 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 6/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Pathfinder, consider the 2012 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2012 has 97% fewer complaints
View the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 E...
Risk
THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
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...
Reported Mar 3, 2010
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 74 | 10 | 20 | 19 | 6 |
| 2001 | 161 | 11 | 20 | 45 | 2 |
| 2002 | 81 | 11 | 18 | 52 | 9 |
| 2003 | 32 | 11 | 16 | 49 | 2 |
| 2004 | 20 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 8 |
| 2005 | 54 | 9 | 41 | 670 | 274 |
| 2006 | 72 | 5 | 25 | 539 | 195 |
| 2007 | 41 | 5 | 20 | 351 | 143 |
| 2008 | 26 | 7 | 40 | 160 | 95 |
| 2009 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 4 |
| 2010 | 11 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 5 |
| 2011 | 10 | 5 | 14 | 11 | 5 |
| 2012 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| 2013 | 234 | 52 | 167 | 129 | 304 |
| 2014 | 185 | 30 | 94 | 76 | 185 |
| 2015 | 97 | 15 | 68 | 81 | 57 |
| 2016 | 35 | 13 | 24 | 28 | 5 |
| 2017 | 41 | 8 | 23 | 89 | 22 |
| 2018 | 24 | 20 | 10 | 13 | 9 |
| 2019 | 29 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 6 |
| 2020 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 6 |
| 2022 | 58 | 31 | 12 | 22 | 10 |
| 2023 | 29 | 16 | 14 | 29 | 9 |
| 2024 | 22 | 18 | 5 | 18 | 5 |
| 2025 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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't get hit apparently it's a recall that says mine was done but it's not done because it's still having problems I am the third owner of mine so I think it was mislabeled as completed if that's the case then how do I know any of these recalls have been done properly
See attached document for complaint.
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 informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
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 with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,364.
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 able to be made. There were not warning lights previous to the accident.
Transmission oil cooler line in radiator broke causing coolant and transmission oil to mix and car is not driveable and needs $3,000 repairs
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.
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 been going on for months. Please let me know if they’re similar complaints and what I should do about it. Thank you
.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
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 MILES AN HOUR AND JUST THAT SLIPPING REAL BAD UNLESS I PUT IT IN 4TH GEAR BY TAKING THE OVERDRIVE OFF DANIEL RIDE OKAY FOR A WHILE BUT IT'S SOON AS I GO TO A STOP SIGN OR I STOPPED THE VEHICLE TAKING OFF IT'S SLIP SO BAD IT ALMOST IS NOT MOVE AT ALL ONCE YOU GET SOME MOVING AND RUNS NOT TOO BAD BUT THE LONGER I DRIVE IT TO WHERE SHE GETS UNTIL I SHUT IT OFF COOLED OFF AND THEN IT WORKS AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES
TIMMING CHAIN IS MAKING A BAD NOISE.
TRANSMISSION ISSUE DUE TO LEAK MIXTURE OR RADIATOR FLUIDS. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM
RADIATOR FLUID GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TCM FAIL
THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS DUE TO COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS ESSENTIALLY RUINED THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE RADIATOR FAILING AND ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION VIA THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLANT LINES THAT RUN THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR.
MY TIMING CHAIN ON MY PATHFINDER HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN NOISY BUT A FEW WEEKS AGO IT REALLY STARTED GETTING LOUD WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION AROUND . I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP AS TEETH WERE FALLING OFF THE 'CHAIN' INTO THE OIL. THEY SAY IT IS A KNOWN THING WITH 2005-2010 PATHFINDERS .
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND I WAS DRIVING TO THE DOCTOR AND THERE WAS A SHUDDER. I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS UNTIL I DID SOME RESEARCH WHICH EXPLAINS THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS IN GENERAL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT DUE TO BEING ON A FIXED INCOME. I'M PAYING PAYMENTS ON IT AND ALSO INSURANCE WHICH I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT. I NEED MY VEHICLE TO GET PLACES I NEED TO GET. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. I REALLY BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD RECALL TRANSMISSIONS AND FIX THEM.
TO ADD TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT MY TRANSMISSION TOTALLY WENT OUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO MY MOMS FRIENDS HOUSE. I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT TO GET PLACES I NEED TO GO.
THE TRANSMISSION IS SHUTTERING, FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING AT TIMES. THE COOLANT LOOKS LIKE CREAMY PASTE. THE SUV WANTS TO BOUNCE OR PULL TO THE SIDES. ALSO AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE MOTOR IS RUNNING HIGH AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE SLOW.
MY CAR SHOW THE LIGHT ON OF THE AIR BAG PASSENGER WITH OR WITH OUT A PASSENGER EVERY TIME WHEN THE CAR IS ON STREEYS OR FREEWAY OR AT HOME .
MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WITH NO WARNING
836 total