Nissan Pathfinder Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 831 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Nissan Pathfinder across 27 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (290). The words owners use most often: “transmission radiator” (15% of reports).
- 831engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $2,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 35%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 122 of 831 complaints (15%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Nissan Pathfinder at $2,250, and half of them between $1,300 and $7,250.
Based on 38 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 691 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 831 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 2 an 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 (2)
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 infiniti fx, model year 2012 infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
Risk: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2005, 2006
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.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N). The check engine, seat belt, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. While the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that coolant was on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a coolant line leak with coolant going back to the third-row seat, and the leak was near the…
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart after the first attempt. After several attempts, the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated…
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the cooling fan became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cooling fan system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Pathfinders have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 831 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Nissan Pathfinder. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Pathfinder engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,250 (half paid between $1,300 and $7,250), from 38 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Nissan Pathfinder?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission radiator”, in 122 of 831 complaints.
Other Nissan Pathfinder problems
- Power Train problems (2,444)
- Engine problems (969)
- Air Bags problems (600)
- Suspension problems (546)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (505)
- Electrical System problems (461)
- Structure problems (419)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (325)
See all Nissan Pathfinder problems.