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ProblemsByVin File / 2006-NISSAN-PATHFINDER
2006 · Nissan

Nissan Pathfinder problems

2 safety recalls. 837 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
285 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
217 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
fuel system
151 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
steering
41 reports · avg $700
severe
electrical
24 reports · avg $850
moderate
airbags
10 reports · avg $1,100
severe
suspension
8 reports · avg $900
moderate
brakes
5 reports · avg $450
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2006 Pathfinder · suspension
I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING EXTREMELY AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, ALSO THE SUSPENSION SHAKES CONSISTENTLY CAUSING ME TO SWERVE. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, NOT READING PROPERLY. *JS
12/31/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669325.0
2006 Pathfinder · engine
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATED A PROBLEM. AFTER REVIEW BY A NISSAN DEALER, THERE IS A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT WILL CAUSE FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS BROUGHT…
12/31/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669394.0
2006 Pathfinder · steering
STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM ON A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE - THE STEERING SHAFT WENT LOOSEN AND COULD BE MOVED HORIZONTALLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT BOTH UPPER AND LOWER WITH THE COUPLING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…
12/31/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10373618.0
2006 Pathfinder · powertrain
TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON I95 IN CONNECTICUT ,10PM AT NIGHT, AT 55MPH , WITH FAMILY IN CAR. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT CONTACT VEHICLE OWNERS TO WARN OF THE PROBLEM OR OFFER…
12/30/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938815.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 10V517000 28/10/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES

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.
severe NHTSA 07E046000 03/07/2007

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE

THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Fix: HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.

Common questions

Is the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 837 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 285 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Pathfinder has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 837 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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