IllustrationCAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. *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
Electrical System complaints
66 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. SINCE JANUARY OF 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. SINCE JANUARY OF 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
MY 2005 PATHFINDER'S FUEL GAUGE WAS WORKING CORRECTLY UNTIL ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I HAD ABOUT A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AND FILLED UP. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE GAS GAUGE SAID THE TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED $600 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AND SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I'VE RESEA…
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MY 2005 PATHFINDER'S FUEL GAUGE WAS WORKING CORRECTLY UNTIL ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I HAD ABOUT A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AND FILLED UP. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE GAS GAUGE SAID THE TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED $600 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AND SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE COMMON. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE REAR HATCHBACK LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURING THE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A MA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE REAR HATCHBACK LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURING THE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE DOOR STRIKER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 10/01/2008 . *LJ
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. FUEL GAUGE READS ZERO, HALF TANK OR SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT UNLESS THE FUEL GAUGE STARTS READING CORRECTLY (WHICH IT SOMETIMES DOES). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NISSAN HAS EVEN COME OUT WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A THAT ADDRES…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. FUEL GAUGE READS ZERO, HALF TANK OR SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT UNLESS THE FUEL GAUGE STARTS READING CORRECTLY (WHICH IT SOMETIMES DOES). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NISSAN HAS EVEN COME OUT WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A THAT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, AND THE REPAIR BILL FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS OUT OF WARRANTY IS BETWEEN $400 AND $600. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IF PEOPLE ARE RUNNING OUT OF GAS DUE TO INCORRECT OR NON-EXISTENT FUEL LEVEL READINGS. *TR
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED.*MR FOUR DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THREE OUT OF 10 DAYS AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER. THE CONSUMER BELIE…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED.*MR FOUR DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THREE OUT OF 10 DAYS AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON AND WANT TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE. *NM
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.