Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on hwy and I went to go around a curve and my steering wheel locked up I went off the road and came to a stop looking up at the bridge. When I went off the road my truck hit a hill (it hit around by my radiator) my truck then flipped and then hit another hill (hit by my radiator again) and came to a stop. My airbag didnt not deploy until my truck stop moving. And my seat belt did not lock me in place. I was slung around my front seat. I had to try to hold myself in my seat with my legs (pushing up on my steering wheel) I hit my head on my steering wheel, my window and my roof.I have a cracked femur from my steering wheel. And 2 compressed disks in my back.. When I realized my truck wasnt turning into the curve I hit my brakes but it didnt do anything bc my tires came off the ground and when it stopped I was on the creek bank.
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. …
At approximately 135000 miles my Pathfinder began making a a grinding sound when I turned my steering wheel left or right. I also noticed that the actual steering wheel was loose and could be moved back and forth. Within a few days I began having great difficulty when making turns while driving. I had my husband check the steering fluid, which was at the recommended level. I then took my Pathfinder to the mechanic to be inspected and find the root of the steering problem. I was informed that my steering column would need to be replaced. The Nissan frontier and xterra has recalls for this exact issue for the same year, but not the Pathfinder. I have 3 children who travel regularly with me in my vehicle. I was informed by the mechanic, that eventually I would lose all steering capability if the steering column in not replaced I find this to be gross negligence on behalf of Nissan. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 10 MPH, the engine stalled without warning and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the brakes failed, and the slip, engine, and edc indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted without hesitation; however, the failure recurred on several occasions without warning. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 113,200. Updated 10/18/16 the consumer was informed the cam sensor needed to be replaced, updated 10/31/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. While attempting to complete a left turn, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator hose cracked and leaked fluid into the transmission, which contaminated the transmission. It was diagnosed that a component within the steering column fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.
Steering wheel all of a sudden became very difficult to turn regularly when driving/turning. Very difficult to turn in reverse. After doing some searching online it seems that their are several other vehicles recently experiencing the same issue. Please investigate this issue before someone gets hurt.
On July 6, 2006 > 5 months after I bought my brand new Nissan Pathfinder le. I was driving when the steering wheel started to tighten. I was on the highway and it was becoming hard for me to turn the steering wheel in either direction to change lanes. Which was scary because I had my children in the car with me. I was able to go straight to the dealer and by the time I got there I could barely turn my steering wheel to the left to turn in. When they examined the car they found the upper bearing in the steering column was shearing and had come apart. I was lucky I was close to the dealership where I purchased the car and not too far away from home or driving on the highway were I could not pull over. They had my car in there over a week and a half which was a big inconvenience because they were having problems locating the part and I was getting a run around about it. …
I was turning my steering wheel to leave a parking lot on Friday February 6,2009 and heard a clicking noise in my steering wheel. Next thing I know the steering wheel can be jiggled from side to side because it is so loose. I then proceeded to drive home and it tightened up again after a few turns. It became loose once again after turning a few more times. I have never had a steering come loose and feel like it is going to come off the whole steering column. As of now, we have not had it repaired yet, we are taking the car in on Monday February 9,2009 to gurley leep Nissan in mishawaka indiana. We have attempted to capture this on a short video. Do you have an email address that we can send this video to? We are filing a complaint for a safety concern. We are curious if other people with this make and model have had any similar issues going back to 2005 and newer. …
I'm writing to request that NHTSA investigate a steering column issue on my 2006 Nissan Pathfinder se to see if the issue falls under the steering column & passenger air bag fastener campaign #10v-115. The vehicle was bought new in 2006. The steering issue was first reported on 9/14/06 to a Nissan technician. I noticed when stopping the vehicle a squeaking noise coming from the steering column. The technician was not able to diagnose the problem. On 6/03/09, the vehicle was taken to another Nissan dealership technician for additional work and again the technician was asked to diagnose the problem. The vehicle was serviced on 8/2/13, at a different Nissan dealership and again the technician was not able to determine the squeaking noise or why the steering column was loose. …
Approximately sept of 2008, the steering wheel of our 2006 Nissan Pathfinder started becoming extremely hard to turn left or right, almost to the point that I could not turn. I would dread having to make a turn. Then a grinding sound started and a clicking, and has since gone away. Now, our steering wheel can move up and down while we are driving. It is very loose and is becoming a hazard. The cruise also shuts itself off while we are driving. After taking the car to 2 Nissan dealerships and a independent mechanic, we have been told the entire steering column has to be replaced - but Nissan will not replace this or help with the cost - around $800 for parts and labor. The independent mechanic told us there is a safety bulletin on this issue, but not a recall, yet. If this is a known problem with the steering column, shouldn't this be replaced by recall before an accident has happened? …
Steering complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, 5% of the model year's 837 complaints. The component named most often is column (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.