2006 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems
Owners have filed 147 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, 18% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 107,855 miles. The words owners use most often: “transmission fluid” (24% of reports).
- 147engine complaints
- 107,855median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 37%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 fluid: mentioned in 36 of 147 complaints (24%)
- Timing chain: mentioned in 12 of 147 complaints (8%)
- Radiator cracked: mentioned in 10 of 147 complaints (7%)
- Class action: mentioned in 10 of 147 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 132 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
None of the 147 complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Nissan Pathfinder engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Pathfinder | 8 | 15% | 250 |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 18 | 21% | 19,250 |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 15 | 14% | 10,316 |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 18 | 13% | 58,607 |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 17 | 35% | 13,350 |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 15 | 20% | 21,375 |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 13 | 17% | 18,000 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 83 | 45% | 45,105 |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 27 | 26% | 50,000 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 74 | 23% | 49,288 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 62 | 11% | 55,000 |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 105 | 12% | 8,500 |
| 2012 Pathfinder | 5 | 22% | 55,000 |
| 2011 Pathfinder | 10 | 22% | 70,950 |
| 2010 Pathfinder | 6 | 15% | 131,459 |
| 2009 Pathfinder | 7 | 19% | 108,000 |
| 2008 Pathfinder | 61 | 19% | 110,000 |
| 2007 Pathfinder | 114 | 20% | 106,000 |
| 2006 Pathfinder | 147 | 18% | 107,855 |
| 2005 Pathfinder | 144 | 14% | 106,250 |
| 2004 Pathfinder | 4 | 6% | 136,720 |
| 2003 Pathfinder | 6 | 5% | 108,015 |
| 2002 Pathfinder | 5 | 3% | 126,500 |
| 2001 Pathfinder | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2000 Pathfinder | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1999 Pathfinder | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 Pathfinder | 2 | 1% | 173,500 |
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.
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 itâs trying to catch up then it kills. Itâs happened in front of traffic and busy roadways/intersections. It has happened more than once.
Timming chain is making a bad noise.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2006 Nissan Pathfinders have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 147 owner complaints about engine for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder (18% 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?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 107,855 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission fluid”, in 36 of 147 complaints, followed by “timing chain” (12).
Other 2006 Nissan Pathfinder problems
See all 2006 Nissan Pathfinder problems or engine problems across all Pathfinder years.