Nissan Pathfinder Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 2,444 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Nissan Pathfinder across 31 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (585). The words owners use most often: “transmission radiator” (11% of reports).
- 2,444power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 31mention a crash
- 10mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $6,550typical repair cost reported by owners
- 29%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 259 of 2,444 complaints (11%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Nissan Pathfinder at $6,550, and half of them between $4,350 and $8,100.
Based on 165 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2026), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 2,012 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,444 complaints, 31 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 10 an injury.
Nissan Pathfinder power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2025 Pathfinder | 8 | 15% | — |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 9 | 11% | 3,500 |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 13 | 13% | 28,850 |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 17 | 13% | 15,686 |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 8 | 17% | — |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 9 | 12% | 82,994 |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 12 | 16% | 15,500 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 34 | 18% | 45,000 |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 7 | 7% | 76,000 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 77 | 24% | 42,250 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 214 | 37% | 42,000 |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 370 | 42% | 5,120 |
| 2012 Pathfinder | 2 | 9% | 130,000 |
| 2011 Pathfinder | 7 | 16% | 62,000 |
| 2010 Pathfinder | 11 | 28% | 148,000 |
| 2009 Pathfinder | 8 | 22% | 100,000 |
| 2008 Pathfinder | 155 | 47% | 113,000 |
| 2007 Pathfinder | 337 | 60% | 107,000 |
| 2006 Pathfinder | 450 | 54% | 101,550 |
| 2005 Pathfinder | 585 | 56% | 100,000 |
| 2004 Pathfinder | 9 | 13% | 83,431 |
| 2003 Pathfinder | 3 | 3% | 50,950 |
| 2002 Pathfinder | 10 | 6% | 38,024 |
| 2001 Pathfinder | 3 | 1% | 78,000 |
| 2000 Pathfinder | 6 | 5% | 123,200 |
| 1999 Pathfinder | 8 | 8% | 49,000 |
| 1998 Pathfinder | 20 | 13% | 87,653 |
| 1997 Pathfinder | 19 | 9% | 92,500 |
| 1996 Pathfinder | 12 | 8% | 108,237 |
| 1995 Pathfinder | 20 | 12% | 84,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
Model years: 2013
Problem: Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured April 18, 2012, through October 3, 2012, and equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In the affected vehicles, the internal oil cooler (ITOC) hose may detach from the cooler due to inadequate clamping force, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
Risk: The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install an oil hose repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2014. 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.
My 2025 Nissan Pathfinder has experienced recurring transmission problems, including unexpectedly switching from Automatic Drive into Manual 1st Gear without driver input. During some incidents, the vehicle failed to accelerate as expected while entering traffic, creating a collision risk. XXX…
The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of motive acceleration at highway speeds, followed by a total powertrain breakdown and battery drain linked to an active federal safety recall. While traveling at highway speeds on Highway 169, the vehicle suddenly lost all acceleration, surged, juddered…
Purchased new 1/15/2025. First issue with this car happened Oct 2025 with something electrical drawing power. This caused AT codes, auto start/stop codes, front and rear collision codes etc. Took it in they charged the battery and told be they didnt know what was causing the draw. Replaced the…
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…
While driving the vehicle it has gone into neutral 3 times prior to 8,000 mile. The vehicle was bought new. Two of the three times I was pressing the gas pedal and holding it steady. Speed was ~ 40-45 MPH. RPMs increased from ~1500 to over 3000. I had to come to a complete stop to put the vehicle…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Pathfinders have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,444 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners report a typical cost of $6,550 (half paid between $4,350 and $8,100), from 165 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Nissan Pathfinder?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission radiator”, in 259 of 2,444 complaints.
Other Nissan Pathfinder problems
- Engine problems (969)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (831)
- Air Bags problems (600)
- Suspension problems (545)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (505)
- Electrical System problems (460)
- Structure problems (419)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (325)
See all Nissan Pathfinder problems.