Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact noticed that there was unknown fluid leaking underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact checked the radiator and noticed that the coolant was leaking from the radiator. An independent mechanic was contacted and stated that it sounded as if the transmission might have cracked; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000. 02/09/2023 - NHTSA #23E-012 Recall #PC948 PTH FTR XTR AB EMB NTB-23-08 Status: Remedy Not Yet Available
Ref. No. 11452064 dated May 12. 2023 After contacting the servicing dealership, a reply was received acknowledging coolant and transmission fluid cross-contamination was discovered. Along with the other complaints already received, I hope this is enough to proof to finally substantiate just remedies to all who purchased a defective product.
The vehicle jolted without warning And would not move. The transmission cooling lines ruptured in the radiator causing a complete Destruction,pink fluid oozed out of the Radiator. This was due to a Nissan defect that Was NEVER informed us of this problem that could have caused our deaths and the safety of others on the roads.
We purchased our 2007 Nissan Pathfinder on May 21 of this year. Today makes 39 days we've had it. On the 32 day we noticed it was having some roughness in the transmission when changing gears. It felt like we were running over really rough roads or rumble strips. It continued to get worse the longer we drove it. Then around a week ago I put it in reverse and it continued to roll forward. I immediately drove home to inform my husband. When he checked the transmission fluid it appeared to be empty. When he further checked it and cleaned the dip stick it was a tanish colored liquid that was showing up. I went to google and found that many others with this same or similar vehicle was having the same problem, and that the problem was a leak in a radiator hose that runs thru the transmission and leaks fluids back and forth. …
I had noticed fluid leaking from under the front /right portion of my vehicle after I parked. I opened the hood and the reserve cap to the radiator had come loose. After letting my vehicle cool, I inspected both the reserve tank and radiator and noticed the fluid was now a milky/frothy substance. After some detective work, I learned that this is a common issue with pathfinders from 2005- through 2010 that Nissan has ignored to fix. The transmission fluid cooler in the radiator assembly "fails" causing contamination to the internal transmission components ,and damage to the internal transmission computer. There are no warning signs up to or just prior to the failures. …
Beginning in November 2014, the heater would not blow out warm or hot air if the car was not traveling on the interstate. At speeds below 50mpg, only cool or cold air would blow out of the heater vents and at an idle, only cold air would be emitted. The radiator was flushed three times in an effort to remedy this problem. Our mechanic thought there could be a blockage in the line due to the age of the vehicle. Once flushed, the heat would work for about 45 days. There were months of my driving to work without any real heat in the winter of 2014. After fluid changes and radiator flushes, the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder now has 111,000 miles on it. The air conditioning is working this summer, but towards the end of May 2015, the transmission started "jumping". This usually occurs around 40-45 MPH. The engine will rev at a high RPM while traveling down an incline or a hill. …
I was driving and suddenly the check engine light came on, I drove home and the next week I went to replace my brakes and ask the workshop to do a scan to let me know why the light is on, they did and 2 codes came up which the shop said they did not see before so they cleared the system and said if it comes on again to take it back so they can fully investigate. I went on 9/28 to another workshop they did a scan and the code p1772 came on after inspecting the mechanic showed me the radiator cap with some thick gooey stuff telling me the radiator is bad and the coolant is mixing with transmission fluid and vice versa. Before this the car would run and when I at a stop sign and try to move it would rev to 4-5 stalls and then move, they are also times of sudden jerk and acceleration. …
I bought the vehicle a year ago at 79,000 miles. In January of 2015, I hit the 100,000 mile mark and almost immediately started having transmission problems. Loud and jerky shifting and smelling foul in the air conditioner. Nissan dealership said that there was an issue and since I was out of warranty, (100,000 miles) that they weren't liable. He said I could drive it because it shouldn't break down for another few thousand miles. So I just parked it. I would only drive it if I absolutely had no other choice. Friday, May 15 2015 I was coming home from a doctors appointment and the vehicle completely broke down. The transmission went out and I was in the middle of a busy road with my 4 year old in the car with me. At 40 MPH, the RPM was at almost 5,000. I pulled over to call my husband and when we put it in reverse to back out of the parking space, it wouldn't go into reverse. …
The vehicle started vibrating very roughly and loudly during acceleration, then suddenly the transmission completely failed while my daughter was driving it on a very busy frontage road to the highway. She was able to steer it onto the shoulder before it stopped coasting; and several people stopped to help her push it into safety in a nearby parking lot. After having it towed to a repair shop, the mechanic informed us that the radiator fluid had leaked through cracks into the transmission fluid, causing irreversible damage to the transmission. Upon researching the problem, we discovered this was a known and acknowedged problem with 2005-2010 Nissan pathfinders, but neither a recall nor a warning was ever issued. We are now beyond the warranty coverage in time and in mileage, so Nissan will not cover any of the expenses to repair.
I was driving back home from my daughters doctors appointment. It was during rush hour traffic time. As I was trying to accelerate I felt a jerk on the card and the o/d light start flashing. I was almost home so I kept driving to make it home. Did not want to b stranded in the road with my daughter. As I pushed on the gas it did not want to accelerate an more, all the lights started flashing and we pretty much strolled into the nearest gas station. I put it in park and waited a moment and tried to see if it would cut back on, but it didn't. I had my vehicle towed to the mechanic shop and he said it smelled like radiator fluid. After doing diagnostic he said problem was to due to a crack that leaked radiator fluid into transmission. So now I have to replace my transmission and radiator and computer. Cost would be over $5,000.
Engine complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 242 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, 43% of the model year's 561 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system › radiator assembly (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, though it has 1 recall 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 2007 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.