IllustrationMY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005 STALL AND WONT ACCLERATE I PUT A NEW ENGINE 3500 A NEW GAS PUMP350 A VALE BODY 2000 NOW THEY WANT PUT ANOTHER PART 1600
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
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
4 reportsCAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER SAYS IT WAS CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SENSORS CHARGED ME $609.00 TO REPAIR. CAR HAD ONLY 86,261 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NO RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CAR TO SHUT OFF? CURRENTLY HAVING TO GET THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED COSTI…
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CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER SAYS IT WAS CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SENSORS CHARGED ME $609.00 TO REPAIR. CAR HAD ONLY 86,261 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NO RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CAR TO SHUT OFF? CURRENTLY HAVING TO GET THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED COSTING ANOTHER $250 NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION. CURRENT MILEAGE IS ONLY 106K.
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS LOCKING UP & STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS JUNE 2013. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN & PAID $400 FOR SUPPOSEDLY A BAD CAMSHAFT & BAD CRANKSHAFT. NOT MORE THAN A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE IS STALLING YET AGAIN. FURIOUS I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A NON NISSAN DEALER. THE OTHER MECHANIC FELT ECM RECALL & FAULTY ECM WAS THE CAUSE. …
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS LOCKING UP & STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS JUNE 2013. I TOOK IT TO NISSAN & PAID $400 FOR SUPPOSEDLY A BAD CAMSHAFT & BAD CRANKSHAFT. NOT MORE THAN A MONTH LATER THE VEHICLE IS STALLING YET AGAIN. FURIOUS I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A NON NISSAN DEALER. THE OTHER MECHANIC FELT ECM RECALL & FAULTY ECM WAS THE CAUSE. HE TOOK IT BACK TO NISSAN & INSISTED THE DO THE RECALLED PART & THE BAD ECM. SERVICE WAS UPSET THAT HE WENT IN THERE TELLING THEM THE PROBLEM. THEY FREE OF CHARGE GOT MY CAR GOING AGAIN. SUPPOSEDLY MY KEY HAD "RESET" ITSELF. WHICH "COULD BE CAUSED BY A BATTERY BEING DEAD FOR TOO LONG OR BEING JUMP STARTED". OUR BATTERY WAS NEW & ONLY MAYBE 6 MONTHS OLD. NISSAN SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED SHE CHECKED THE GROUND & IT WAS ALL OK. JUST THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR ABOUT $2000 BUT WERE NOT THE CAUSE OF STALLING OR THE KEY RESETTING ITSELF. SHE INSISTED THE ECM WAS GOOD & THE RECALLED PART HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. A WEEK LATER & HERE I AM AGAIN WITH A CAR THAT WONT START. THIS TIME THE NISSAN TECH CAME TO THE STORE WHERE I WAS STRANDED AT. HIS MACHINE COULDN'T EVEN READ THE CODES & HE SAID MAYBE IT WAS GROUND WIRES IN MY DASH OR THE ECM BUT HARD TO SAY UNLESS I PAID TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN! OF COURSE I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT. I WOULDN'T MIND AS MOST FOR MINOR REPAIRS/MAITENANCE BUT IT SEEMS THIS YEAR/MODEL IS PURE CRAP. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I REALIZE THAT MY CAR SHAKING AT 60+ MILES WHEN I DO HIT THE FREEWAY IS A HUGE PROBLEM AS WELL! WE LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN WHERE WE DON'T USUALLY DRIVE THOSE HIGH SPEEDS SO I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT MUCH OF IT UNTIL NOW. NISSAN KNOWS VERY WELL THESE ARE HUGE PROBLEM CARS YET DOESN'T CARE! THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SAFE. THE STALLING HAS HAPPENED AT INTERSECTIONS OR DRIVING!!
TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ON ME WHILE TRAVELING WITH FAMILY ON HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS NISSAN HAS PLACED ON THE PATHFINDER. MY FINDING TO THE PROBLEMS NOT ONLY INCLUDED TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT ALSO OTHER DEFECTS IN WHICH THEY ARE UNWILLING TO PAY FOR. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE FOR S…
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TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ON ME WHILE TRAVELING WITH FAMILY ON HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS NISSAN HAS PLACED ON THE PATHFINDER. MY FINDING TO THE PROBLEMS NOT ONLY INCLUDED TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT ALSO OTHER DEFECTS IN WHICH THEY ARE UNWILLING TO PAY FOR. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO DIE FOR THEM TO GET THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AMERICANS ARE IN DANGER DUE TO THIS COMPANY AND IT'S CARS! *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.