2006 Nissan Pathfinder Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 99,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “transmission radiator” (23% of reports).
- 185engine and engine cooling complaints
- 99,500median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Transmission radiator: mentioned in 43 of 185 complaints (23%)
- Class action: mentioned in 11 of 185 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 170 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 185 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Nissan Pathfinder engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Pathfinder | 1 | 2% | 250 |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 1 | 1% | 8,000 |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 1 | 1% | 43,000 |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 1 | 1% | 66,428 |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 1 | 1% | 93,000 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 2 | 1% | 38,270 |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 1 | 1% | 29,400 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 1 | 0% | 34,000 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 5 | 1% | 70,500 |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 5 | 1% | 9,847 |
| 2012 Pathfinder | 1 | 4% | 130,000 |
| 2010 Pathfinder | 2 | 5% | 9,000 |
| 2009 Pathfinder | 4 | 11% | 101,000 |
| 2008 Pathfinder | 23 | 7% | 114,838 |
| 2007 Pathfinder | 128 | 23% | 103,000 |
| 2006 Pathfinder | 185 | 22% | 99,500 |
| 2005 Pathfinder | 290 | 28% | 92,500 |
| 2004 Pathfinder | 3 | 4% | 77,842 |
| 2003 Pathfinder | 25 | 23% | 51,500 |
| 2002 Pathfinder | 35 | 22% | 63,000 |
| 2001 Pathfinder | 16 | 7% | 56,800 |
| 2000 Pathfinder | 5 | 4% | 50,000 |
| 1999 Pathfinder | 6 | 6% | 86,000 |
| 1998 Pathfinder | 6 | 4% | 140,000 |
| 1997 Pathfinder | 17 | 8% | 107,298 |
| 1996 Pathfinder | 14 | 9% | 63,500 |
| 1995 Pathfinder | 52 | 31% | 83,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the "overheated" warning indicator illuminated while driving approximately 25 mph. The following day, the vehicle failed start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the radiator failed and caused…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. When the vehicle was taken to the alhambra nissan dealer in alhambra, ca for a routine oil change, the contact was also advised to have a transmission oil change. The technician performed an oil change on the transmission and the transmission failed…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. On several occasions, while driving between 10-50 mph, the transmission failed to operate as intended. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed due to contamination of the transmission from the radiator fluid acid. The vehicle was not…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2006 Nissan Pathfinders have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 185 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder (22% of the 837 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 99,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission radiator”, in 43 of 185 complaints, followed by “class action” (11).
Other 2006 Nissan Pathfinder problems
See all 2006 Nissan Pathfinder problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Pathfinder years.