Illustration2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, VEHICLE ROLLED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *BF ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINT, THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN HER DEATH. *JB UPDATED 12/04/17 *BF *TR
2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Pathfinder years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
260–25K
5625–50K
20650–75K
29075–100K
318100–150K
60150K+
956 reports with mileage · 94 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 585 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 186 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
22 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO THE DESTINATION. THERE WAS ONE INJRY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO THE DESTINATION. THERE WAS ONE INJRY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO SOMETHING WENT WRONG AND NOW THEY SAY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT THAT CAUSES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT TO WORK.
A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECE…
Read full complaint
A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECEIVING CARE.....UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF UPDATED 9/17/2015*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ALONG WITH THE JERKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO THE TITLE DEPARTMENT THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED MY NEWEST VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED I WAS HIT WITH THE SAD REALITY OF AN UNTRUE MAN SELLING ME HIS PROBLEM MY TRANSMISSION HAS ANTIFREEZE IN THE FLUID IT WILL DRIVE FINE UNTIL IT HEATS UP AND THE FLUID GETS TO THE TRANSMISSION IT IS NOT SAFE THIS SHOULD BE A RECA…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO THE TITLE DEPARTMENT THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED MY NEWEST VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED I WAS HIT WITH THE SAD REALITY OF AN UNTRUE MAN SELLING ME HIS PROBLEM MY TRANSMISSION HAS ANTIFREEZE IN THE FLUID IT WILL DRIVE FINE UNTIL IT HEATS UP AND THE FLUID GETS TO THE TRANSMISSION IT IS NOT SAFE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL THEY NO IT'S A PROBLEM AND ALSO MY SEATBELT LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAT EVEN WHEN SOMEONE SIT IN THAT SEAT THE SENSOR DOES NOT WORK. *TR
THE SUPPLEMENTAL FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER 7SEC WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT STAYS OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. WILL HAVE THIS CHECK OUT AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS YEAR MODEL INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL. *TR
I HAVE CHANGED 2 CEPAIRATLOTAY COVERTER AT 8600 THEN 6 MOS LATER MY TARMISSIONS NEED TO BE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED
I HIT THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE THAT WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY FOREHEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
OUR AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING SO WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY ORIGINALLY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, RESET THE CODE AND SENT US ON OUR WAY (NOT WITHOUT TRYING TO CHARGE US $40 DIAGNOSTIC FEE). AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY TOLD US THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEN…
Read full complaint
OUR AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING SO WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY ORIGINALLY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, RESET THE CODE AND SENT US ON OUR WAY (NOT WITHOUT TRYING TO CHARGE US $40 DIAGNOSTIC FEE). AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY TOLD US THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND WE'D HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT BACK AT THE TUNE OF OVER $1000. WE PURCHASED THE BEST WARRANTY PACKAGE YOU COULD GET AND IT COVERS EVERYTHING BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR. WHY WOULD THEY SINGLE OUT THAT ONE THING TO NOT BE COVERED? *TR
Official recalls
210V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 28, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 29, 2008
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.