2006 Nissan Pathfinder recalls and problems

The 2006 Nissan Pathfinder has 3 safety recalls and 837 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
837
Crashes / fires
10 / 0
Injuries / deaths
11 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2006 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 Nissan Pathfinder recalls

Recall 10V-517: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Oct 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 10V-075: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Mar 3, 2010 · 80,689 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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 embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty.

Risk: This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 begin on or before march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 08V-690: Air Bags

Reported Dec 29, 2008 · 242,720 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. In those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, a mixture of snow/water and salt can enter into the front crash zone sensor (Czs) housing. If this occurs, the czs may internally rust resulting in a signal interruption. If this happens, the red air bag warning light will illuminate to alert the vehicle operator.

Risk: This issue could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front air bags in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: 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. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

2006 Nissan Pathfinder problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train451
Engine and Engine Cooling186
Engine147
Fuel System, Gasoline138
Fuel/Propulsion System71
Unknown or Other43
Steering41
Electrical System34
Fuel System, Other29
Vehicle Speed Control16
Air Bags15
Suspension10

Most reported parts

  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank — 38
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 37
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly — 32
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 11
  • Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System — 5
  • Steering › Column — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 4
  • Structure › Body — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 93,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 Nissan Pathfinder complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Jun 24, 2025
I've ran out of gas twice my indicator the gas tank gauge does not show that the vehicle is empty it shows it's full and then I run out of gas on the side of the road almost get hit by cars trying to get to gas station to get more gas in the middle of traffic very dangerous have my daughter with me trying to push my vehicle out of the way so I don't get hit apparently it's a recall that says mine was done but it's not done because it's still having problems I am the third owner of mine so I think it was mislabeled as completed if that's the case then how do I know any of these recalls have…
Fuel System, Gasoline · at 130,000 miles · reported Oct 11, 2024
The contact stated that the company owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the fuel gauge displayed a full tank, then suddenly displayed that the fuel was empty, improperly displaying the fuel level. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the fuel level sensor was high causing the fuel pump to fail. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Power Train · at 128,364 miles · reported Jun 12, 2024
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. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,364.
Air Bags · reported Nov 24, 2023
I was hit on the drivers side, where the front drivers door stops and the back door begins. The other drivers was estimated at going 50-60 mph. My car spun and rolled over 360 degrees. None of the airbags deployed. The sheriff, ambulance, firefighters all told me to report it. The car was totaled at the scene so unfortunately no inspections were able to be made. There were not warning lights previous to the accident.
Power Train · reported Sep 14, 2022
Transmission oil cooler line in radiator broke causing coolant and transmission oil to mix and car is not driveable and needs $3,000 repairs

Other Nissan Pathfinder years

Compare all Nissan Pathfinder years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder: 10V-517 (engine and engine cooling), 10V-075 (fuel system, gasoline), 08V-690 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder?

Owners report power train problems most often (451 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (186). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 93,000 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.