2006 Nissan Pathfinder

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2006 Nissan Pathfinder
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2006: 837 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1986	1
1987	19
1988	17
1989	15
1990	38
1991	39
1992	30
1993	49
1994	91
1995	170
1996	159
1997	217
1998	149
1999	104
2000	112
2001	230
2002	156
2003	110
2004	67
2005	1050
2006	837
2007	561
2008	328
2009	37
2010	40
2011	45
2012	23
2013	889
2014	573
2015	318
2016	103
2017	183
2018	76
2019	73
2020	50
2022	133
2023	97
2024	68
2025	42
2026	7

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 49%

49% of complaints: power train — 413 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, IT PROCEEDED TO ROLL BACKWARDS OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070822

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of transmission failure during the gear shifting. The contact stated that the gear shifter would remain in neutral.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240612

ENGINE 18%

18% of complaints: engine — 147 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 137 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 12%

12% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 98 distinct reports on file.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 71 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 837

R 20070817 — equipment

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 07E046000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090126 — air bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THE

Campaign 08V690000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100322 — fuel system, gasoline

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BE

Campaign 10V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100712 — suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 10E019000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101206 — engine and engine cooling

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) ASSEM

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 10V517000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120611 — DP (closed 20161022)

Transmission Failures

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for power train issues (413 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine issues (147 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (137 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 07E046000 (equipment) has been completed.
Verify recall 08V690000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 10V075000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 10E019000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1992 ▲ 2009 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2013 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.