Transmission failure from radiator fluid leakage into the transmission fluid. The cooling system for the transmission runs through the radiator. When the radiator fails radiator fluid leaks into the tranny fluid and destroys the internal transmission clutch plates and torque converter. Nissan extended the warranty from 36k to 80k miles or 8 years on the radiator, knowing there was a problem, but…
2007 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems
moderate 156 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
156
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 156 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 156 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Nissan Pathfinder in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2007 Pathfinder has a well-documented design defect where the radiator's internal transmission cooler lines fail, allowing coolant to mix with transmission fluid and destroy the transmission—typically between 45,000 and 110,000 miles. While Nissan extended the warranty to 100,000 miles, failures happen frequently beyond that threshold, leaving owners with $3,500–$9,500 repair bills. Timing chains also fail prematurely around 65,000 miles. This is a known defect Nissan has not recalled; budget for major drivetrain work or avoid this model year.
The dominant complaint across 156 complaints centers on the radiator's internal transmission cooler lines cracking or failing, causing coolant and transmission fluid to cross-contaminate. Owners notice transmission shuddering, rough shifting, violent vibrations at 40–50 MPH, or sudden loss of power while driving on highways—sometimes with children in the vehicle. The transmission fluid becomes discolored (milky, reddish, or tan) and mechanics confirm metal particles indicating wear. One owner felt the car "jerk and lose speed" at 65 MPH on a freeway with a basketball team aboard; another was 9 months pregnant when the vehicle lost power in traffic.
Nissan issued an extended warranty (100,000 miles or 10 years) after a class action settlement, but failures frequently occur after that cutoff. Owners say they were not notified of the defect proactively; many discover it only when the transmission begins to fail. Radiator replacement runs $650–$1,300; transmission repair or replacement, $3,500–$9,500. Those within warranty typically pay a $2,500–$3,000 deductible. Outside it, they absorb the full cost.
Separately, timing chains fail prematurely at 65,000–71,000 miles with high-pitched whining, costing $935–$1,300 to repair—just outside the 60,000-mile warranty. Owners also report engine sludge and loss of heater function at idle, both linked to coolant system degradation. A few vehicles experienced complete engine failure or ECM failure tied to the same contamination chain. No manufacturer recall has been issued despite hundreds of documented complaints.
Same Nissan Pathfinder engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Radiator/Transmission Cross-Contamination (Coolant Leak into Transmission)
Internal transmission cooler lines inside the radiator crack or fail, allowing coolant to leak into transmission fluid and vice versa. This cross-contamination destroys transmission clutch plates, torque converter, and internal components. Owners report the transmission fluid becomes discolored (milky, reddish, or tan-colored) and can be detected during service inspections.
When: Typically occurs between 45,000 and 110,000 miles; class action extended warranty covers 100,000 miles or 10 years, but failures frequently occur after 100,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping, rough shifting, grinding into gears; Violent shaking or vibration at 40-50 MPH; Jolting clunks when shifting from neutral to drive; Loss of acceleration power; vehicle unable to maintain speed on highway; Transmission stalling or refusing to engage in any gear; Heater not producing heat at idle or low speeds; Check engine light illumination with transmission-related fault codes (P0717, P1772); Audible clunking when starting or stopping engine
Codes mentioned: P0717, P1772
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement: $650–$1,300 (aftermarket lower, OEM higher). Transmission rebuild or replacement: $3,500–$9,500. Some owners paid $2,500–$3,000 out-of-pocket deductible under class action settlement; others absorbed full cost after warranty expired. Flushing transmission and radiator cooler lines attempted but temporary; full transmission replacement typically required once contamination is confirmed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended warranty to 100,000 miles or 10 years (originally 60,000 miles or 3 years) after class action lawsuit. Service Bulletin NTB07-042A issued April 2009 regarding timing chain issues (separate). Extended warranty does not cover transmissions damaged by radiator failure—only radiator itself. No mandatory recall issued; repairs are not proactively offered. Nissan customer service stated 'nothing they could do' for vehicles outside warranty limits.
Timing Chain/Tensioner Premature Failure
Secondary timing chain and tensioners fail prematurely, causing high-pitched whining or humming noise from under the hood. Service Bulletin NTB07-042A addresses this issue but was issued after many owners had already surpassed the warranty threshold. Dealers told owners at 65,000–71,000 miles that failure was acceptable and safe to continue driving, despite bulletin existing.
When: 65,000–71,000 miles; dealers noted timing chain should not fail at these mileages under normal use. Warranty expires at 60,000 miles, placing failures just outside coverage.
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched whining or humming noise from under the hood; Noise consistent with timing chain or tensioner wear
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain tensioner replacement or full timing chain replacement: approximately $935–$1,300. Cost of $4,100 quoted for complete timing chain system and piston damage in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin NTB07-042A issued April 17, 2009, after vehicles had already accrued high mileage. Dealers were not proactive in notifying owners of the bulletin. Nissan did not issue a recall; bulletin treatment suggests awareness of defect.
Engine Sludge Accumulation
Oil sludge builds up inside the engine, triggered or worsened by transmission fluid contamination leaking into the engine via coolant cross-contamination. Detected during diagnostic checks or when oil light fails to illuminate despite low oil levels.
When: Mileage varies; detected at service visits between 40,000 and 99,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil sludge visible in engine; Oil light fails to illuminate despite low oil levels
Repairs/costs cited: Required frequent oil changes (every 1,000 miles) for several months to clear sludge after radiator/transmission contamination was discovered and fluids flushed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealerships discovered this condition during multi-point inspections but did not proactively warn owners in advance of larger radiator/transmission failure.
Loss of Power/Engine Failure While Driving
Vehicle loses all power to accelerate while in motion on highway or freeway, stalls, and fails to restart. Caused by transmission failure due to radiator contamination or, in one case, ECM (engine control module) failure. Constitutes immediate safety hazard—vehicles behind must brake suddenly to avoid collision.
When: Occurs during active driving on highways and expressways at 50–65 MPH. One incident reported at 9 months pregnant with 5-year-old child in vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration power despite pressing accelerator; Engine revs but vehicle does not respond; Engine shaking and making noises before power loss; Vehicle slowing down on its own at highway speeds; Transmission will not engage any gear after stopping; Smell of burning or radiator fluid; Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission and radiator replacement: $4,000–$7,500. One case involved misdiagnosis of ECM failure ($1,014) before radiator/transmission contamination was discovered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refused to cover repairs for vehicles outside extended warranty (beyond 100,000 miles or 10 years). Consumer affairs department described as unable to provide assistance beyond pre-scripted responses.
Synthesized from 156 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The check engine light stays on the car. Also, the fuel delivery system has become a significant hazard in the car. The pathfinder's gasoline gauge indicates that it is half full, but suddenly the yellow light comes on to indicate the car is empty. This is a significant hazard while on the highway and there are times where a gas station may not be easily accessible. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the radiator had an internal crack that leaked fluid into the transmission, causing damage to the components. As a result, the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 2/25/15*cn updated 9/11/2017*cn
I was on expressway, driving approximately 60-65 miles per hour and without warning car lost all its ability to accelerate or maintain speed. Car engine would rev when you pressed on the accelerator but the car would not respond. Vehicles behind me had to hit on there brakes and go around me as I attempted to steer vehicle to the side of the expressway. Once vehicle came to a stop, my…
The vehicle vibrated and shuttered and ceased to move. I was in traffic and luckily had a place to pull over. I had the vehicle towed to the local Nissan dealership. After a discussion and diagnosis by the technician and shop foreman it was determined that the transmission and the radiator had crossed contamination of fluids resulting in the transmission becoming inoperable and requiring the…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 156 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 140 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 85,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 102,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 85,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.