SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission Control Modules (TCMs). Blank TCMs come without software and must be programmed (not reprogrammed) and then configured after they are installed. When ordering a replacement A/T or control valve, use the Nissan electronic parts information systems to obtain the correct software program part number See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Pathfinder powertrain problems
moderate 220 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
220
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 220 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Powertrain accounts for 39% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 220 powertrain 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
IF YOU CONFIRM: A remanufactured automatic transmission supplied by ATC Drivetrain is installed in an APPLIED VEHICLE AND CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) is not able to communicate with the TCM through Diagnosis (One System) OR C-III plus is able to communicate with the TCM, but the TCM part number?s (P/N) sixth digit is a "5", "6", or "7" (for example, 31020-7xxxx). NOTE: To determine if an applied vehicle is equipped with an ATC Drivetrain remanufactured A/T, see page 3. ACTION: Refer to the Flow Chart on page 2. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when actually, it?s not. Use this service bulletin to help make a more accurate diagnosis of the steering rack. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant failure in this cluster is a defective radiator design in 2007 Pathfinders where internal transmission cooler lines fail—usually by cracking or separating inside the radiator assembly. This breach allows engine coolant to contaminate the transmission fluid and vice versa. The contamination corrodes internal transmission parts and disables the transmission control module, triggering sudden transmission failure.
Owners typically first notice shuddering, vibration, or harsh shifting between 40 and 60 mph, often accompanied by an overheat warning or check engine light. Some experience a milky or frothy substance in the coolant reservoir. Within days to weeks, the transmission slips out of gear, refuses to shift, loses power entirely, or stops the vehicle mid-drive—sometimes on busy highways during rush hour.
Repair costs range from $3,500 to $9,200 for a full radiator and transmission replacement; some attempt a radiator replacement and transmission flush for $600–$1,000, but contamination usually causes the problem to recur. Most failures occur after 100,000 miles or 8 years, putting owners beyond Nissan's extended warranty and forcing them to pay full freight. A 2012–2013 class-action settlement extended coverage to those limits, but the remedy left owners with deductibles up to $3,000 and no proactive replacement program. Multiple owners report not being notified of the defect or the settlement, and dealerships are accused of failing to warn used-car buyers of the extended warranty or the known issue.
Same Nissan Pathfinder powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Radiator-to-transmission fluid contamination
Internal transmission cooler lines within the radiator assembly fail—either cracking, splitting, or separating—allowing engine coolant to leak into transmission fluid and vice versa. This cross-contamination corrodes internal transmission components and disables the transmission control module.
When: Typically 75,000–115,000 miles; complaints cluster around 100,000+ miles, though some occur as early as 54,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shuddering, vibration, or rough/jerky shifting (especially 40–60 mph); Transmission slipping, loss of power, or refusal to shift into gear; Milky or frothy coolant in radiator and/or transmission fluid; Vehicle overheating; Check engine light, VDC light, transmission slip light; Hard shifts or sputtering on acceleration; Transmission will not engage or move vehicle forward/in reverse; Vehicle stalling or dying while driving, especially at highway speed
Codes mentioned: P0717 (Turbine Speed Sensor), U1000, U1001 (network/communication faults), P0xxx (transmission-related generic codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report repair costs of $3,500–$9,200, typically requiring replacement of radiator ($400–$1,500), transmission overhaul or replacement ($3,000–$7,500), transmission cooler/external cooler ($200–$300), and flushing of transmission and cooling system. Some dealers and independent shops offer radiator replacement and transmission flush ($600–$1,000) as a temporary fix, but symptoms often recur. One owner had to replace the radiator and transmission twice.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued a class-action settlement (2012–2013) extending warranty to 100,000 miles or 8 years for radiator and transmission repair; however, owners over that mileage or time limit are denied coverage. Owners report being turned away at dealerships and told the issue was not covered under standard powertrain warranty. Some received partial coverage with high deductibles ($3,000). Nissan has not issued a full recall; instead, they extended warranty but did not proactively replace defective radiators. TSBs or service bulletins are mentioned but not explicitly detailed in narratives.
Transmission control module (TCM) electrical failure
Antifreeze contamination in the transmission causes the transmission control module to malfunction, and blown fuses in the automatic transmission ECU prevent the vehicle from starting or shifting.
When: Often coincident with or following coolant leak; affects vehicles 54,000–145,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start despite lights coming on; Repeated blowing of 10-amp A/T ECU fuse; Transmission will not engage even after restarting; Loss of electrical/computer signal to transmission
Codes mentioned: P0717, U1000, U1001
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse replacement is temporary; root cause is coolant contamination in the transmission fluid. No separate TCM repair cost cited, but is included in full transmission replacement ($3,500–$7,500).
Transmission slipping and loss of power at highway speed
Once cross-contamination occurs, the transmission loses holding power, slips between gears or out of gear entirely, and the vehicle either loses acceleration or suddenly decelerates without operator input. This is a critical safety issue on highways and at traffic lights.
When: Can develop suddenly or gradually; reported across 54,000–145,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips or refuses to hold gear at 40–65+ mph; Vehicle suddenly loses power and will not accelerate despite pedal input; Jerky, harsh gear changes or refusal to downshift; Vehicle stuck in one gear (typically 2nd or 3rd); RPM spikes without corresponding vehicle acceleration; Transmission acts like it's out of gear or in neutral
Repairs/costs cited: Often requires full transmission replacement since fluid contamination causes internal wear and corrosion that flushing alone cannot repair. Costs $3,500–$7,500.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action settlement covers radiator and transmission under extended warranty to 100k miles/8 years. Beyond that, owners are denied coverage.
Power steering fluid in radiator; coolant in power steering system
In at least one narrative, radiator line failure also resulted in cross-contamination of power steering fluid and coolant, a less common but related failure mode.
When: Mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid in radiator; Coolant in power steering assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Cost $5,250 for radiator replacement in the narrative reported.
Synthesized from 220 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Car was giving acceleration problems. Two days later I was in traffic and car wouldn't go past 10 MPH. I was able to pull over just out of the way of speeding traffic. I had to turn the car off then back on for it to start and slowly shift gears. Still was only able to go up to 15mph at first, almost got into an accident because of my location. Once I kept going it started to speed up to normal…
Car started to shudder when driving, heater would get cold when car was sitting, vibrations when driving. Garage said radiator cracked and leaked fluid into transmission fluid and destroyed engine. *tr
Transmission went out going down the road. Stuck in overdrive. *tr
Pathfinder started hesitating at 40 MPH regardless of city or highway driving, had transmission fluid changed and was advised by my mechanic there is a leak from radiator into transmission line, have since then seen transmission fluid a milky color and I cannot drive vehicle with overdrive on, when it drove with od on at about 40 MPH there is no shifting of gears. *tr
My wife was driving with kids in the vehicle when power in the transmission when to nothing then sporadically started working and not. She intelligently was able to avoid an accident and get the vehicle to a side road in a boat ramp parking area where the vehicle would not run in any gear. I was called and made aware of the situation and called my parents to pick then up for this was our only…
I bought my 07 pathfinder in july and the dealership had done repair on the radiator at their expense, and replaced the coolant and tranny fluids and stated there was no cross contamination. However, the vehicle stopped shifting properly and we couldn't tell if it was the tranny, ABS, or 4wd getting caught. As of yesterday the tranny wouldn't change gears. Restarting the car helped. But since…
When driving aprx 40-45 MPH, transmission sounds as if I was hitting rumble strips. I lose power. I have been told it could be due to a coolant leak into the transmission. After reviewing this site, I noticed many other problems and an investigation started almost a year ago....please get this defect recalled!!! *tr
The entire transmission melted without warning. The car could not move on reverse and only going 20mph. *tr
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 220 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 198 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 91,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 109,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 91,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.