Transmission oil cooler line in radiator broke causing coolant and transmission oil to mix and car is not driveable and needs $3,000 repairs
2006 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems
331 complaints (40% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 103,000.
- owner complaints
- 331
- of this car's complaints
- 40%
- typical mileage
- 103,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Cooling system: radiator assembly32
- Cooling system11
- Engine4
- Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Pathfinder engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Check engine light 96Stalling 78Overheating 57Loss of power 27Engine failure 8Knocking 7Won't start 7
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing.
- Risk
- This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 10V517000 · Recall details
What 2006 Nissan Pathfinder owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Car shuts off In the middle of driving & also when simply parked. It starts jerking like it’s trying to catch up then it kills. It’s happened in front of traffic and busy roadways/intersections. It has happened more than once.
Timming chain is making a bad noise.
My timing chain on my pathfinder has been defective. It has always been noisy but a few weeks ago it really started getting loud while driving in motion around . I had to have it towed to a shop as teeth were falling off the 'chain' into the oil. They say it is a known thing with 2005-2010 pathfinders .
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan pathfinder. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled, but was able to restart. Additionally, the vehicle randomly revved up and accelerated. The contact stated that the vehicle's dynamic control slip off, service engine soon, and washer fluid warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the crankshaft sensor and battery needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 37003562. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
The moment I purchased this vehicle it had check engine light and transmission problems and catalytic converters were bad. Would not pass inspection.
All 4 of my catalytic converters have had to be replaced (or need to be replaced - I've already replaced bank 1. Now bank 2 is bad) in the past 12 months or so and now my radiator is leaking into my transmission. I discovered there was a class-action lawsuit on the radiator/transmission issue, but I'm outside of the warranty period. With respect to the catalytic converters, I occasionally smell exhaust, but the check engine lights stay on. With the transmission, it started out as gear slipping, causing rough driving (which the dealership told me was the catalytic converter). Then, it started running slow out of first gear and hard shifting. I took it to a transmission place that pulled transmission codes and when they dropped the pan, the fluid looked like a milkshake. The rough driving/gears slipping didn't matter - it could be on the highway or in the city. I don't know the exact date in 2018 that I had the issue, but I've been dealing with this issue for a year.
I was driving on an interstate at normal highway speed when the car shuddered as if going over rough pavement. The engine started racing, but the car gradually lost forward propulsion. I steered to the emergency lane and stopped. After a minute, the car regained just enough forward motion to get me to the next exit, across an intersection (where the light just happened to be green, thank goodness), and into the parking lot of a large grocery store before the vehicle lost all propulsion. We pushed the car the last few feet into a parking spot. It was towed to a nissan dealership. I was told the next day that the transmission warmer had failed, allowing radiator coolant to leak into the transmission, which ruined the transmission. The repair would cost $6000. I cannot put another $6000 into a 13-year-old vehicle, even though I've only had it for five months, so now I've lost the money I put into it and will have to start over with another vehicle.
While driving on the freeway or the city street, the car started to jerk and then suddenly cut off and lose power. This has happened at least five times at normal highway and freeway speeds in a straight forward motion. While on the freeway, I was able to glide over to stop the car and restart it. The car starts right back up and is drivable.the last time was on the city street, I was going about 35-40mph and the car again jerks and the engine cuts off and looses power. However, this time the steering wheel locked up preventing me to get over. I had to stop the car by breaking directly in the lane nearly causing cars to slam into me. Again, once I come to a complete stop and put the car in park I am able to start the engine and drive again. After this first happened, I took my car in for a tune-up, oil change, and a diagnostic test but nothing read as an error. I do not drive far distances just mainly around town and have received regular maintenance on my vehicle. I am now afraid to drive my car because the lose of power does not happen consistently but is very dangerous when it does and can definitely cause an accident/injury/death if someone is driving too close. I looked up recalls and found recall10v517000. It says there was a recall for 2004-2006 nissan pathfinders but my VIN # is not excepted. Please look into this for this matter because I do not feel safe for myself and others while driving
Questions about the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder engine
Does the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder have engine problems?
Owners have filed 331 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, 40% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 103,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 10V517000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Pathfinder have bad engine?
The Nissan Pathfinder model years with the most engine complaints are 2005 (433 complaints), 2006 (331 complaints) and 2007 (242 complaints).
Other 2006 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Transmission 450Fuel system 231Steering 41Electrical 34Acceleration 16Airbags 14Brakes 9Suspension 9Body 6Driver assistance 5Seat belts 5Tires 4Locks 3Visibility 3Wheels 2Seats 1
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