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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 →
1,050Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
156
2002110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
2008
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
585Engine And Engine Cooling
290Fuel System, Gasoline
186Engine
144Electrical System
66
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
61Unknown Or Other
40Fuel/propulsion System
31Vehicle Speed Control
31Air Bags
22Structure
14Equipment
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10Steering
9Suspension
9Service Brakes
7Visibility
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Tires
3Seat Belts
2Seats
2Wheels
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Service Brakes, Electric
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine complaints

144 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2016
EnginePower Train

STARTED LOOSING SPEED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE SUV WITH ME, SO SCARY. BUT I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT ROLL IN TIME FOR IT TO GET TO 0 ON ODOMETER. THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME. FEW DAYS LATER TOOK TO TWO DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS(TOWED TO 2ND SHOP BECAUSE SUV WOULD NOT GO PASS 20 AND …

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STARTED LOOSING SPEED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE SUV WITH ME, SO SCARY. BUT I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT ROLL IN TIME FOR IT TO GET TO 0 ON ODOMETER. THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME. FEW DAYS LATER TOOK TO TWO DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS(TOWED TO 2ND SHOP BECAUSE SUV WOULD NOT GO PASS 20 AND IT WOULD JUST STOP ONCE DOWN TO 0)WHO INFORMED ME THERE WERE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, FINAL SHOP SAID THE RADIATOR RUPTURED CAUSING WATER, TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, AND ETC TO ALL MIX WHICH HAS CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD MY OPTIONS ARE TO REBUILD, BUT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION OR LET THE SUV GO..UPONGOOGLING TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE OR HAD THIS PROBLEMS I'M TOTALLY NOT ALONE AND YES I'M PASS THE 50,000 N 100,000 RANGE HOWEVER I STILL THINK SOME ETCHING SHOULDBE DONE, BEING I TOOK N TRACE VERY GD CARE IF MY SUV ONLY ALLOWING NISSAN TO REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE MY SUV. I WAS TOLD TO REPAIR THIS WILL COST ME 3900 PLUS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANY TO BE HONEST BUT DONE TYPE IF HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED FOR NOT ONLY ME BUT EVERYONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919164

116,000 miles · Oct 26, 2016
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I FIND OUT IT IS THE "INTERMIX" BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS FROM NISSAN, BUT NOW UNDERSTAND IT WAS A KNOWN AND FREQUENT FAILURE - BY DESIGN. ESSENTIALLY, AFTER 90,0…

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I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I FIND OUT IT IS THE "INTERMIX" BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS FROM NISSAN, BUT NOW UNDERSTAND IT WAS A KNOWN AND FREQUENT FAILURE - BY DESIGN. ESSENTIALLY, AFTER 90,000 MILE, THE CAR IS WORTHLESS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. AFTER PAYING $5,000 FOR THE REPAIR, I DROVE OFF THE LOT ONLY TO HAVE MY FUEL PUMP FAIL. LITERALLY, I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MISFIRING. UNBELIEVABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919161

16,000 miles · Oct 7, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

MY 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

NHTSA ODI #10914492

120,000 miles · Sep 11, 2016
Engine

I TOOK MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER INTO THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I LATER LEARNED THE BAD NEWS THAT THE HOSES IN THE RADIATOR HAVE FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO CROSS CONTAMINATE AND MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID PRODUCING A TOXIC SLUDGE THAT RUINS THE RADIATOR AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION. …

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I TOOK MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER INTO THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I LATER LEARNED THE BAD NEWS THAT THE HOSES IN THE RADIATOR HAVE FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO CROSS CONTAMINATE AND MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID PRODUCING A TOXIC SLUDGE THAT RUINS THE RADIATOR AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THAT $4,000 LATER I WOULD NEED A NEW RADIATOR, NEW TRANSMISSION AND NEW HOSES. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON IN 05-06 PATHFINDERS. AFTER GOING HOME A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CARS HAVE ACTUALLY DEALTH WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THESE PROBLEMS. UNFORTUNATELY I NEVER KNEW OF SUCH A LAWSUIT AND NOW THAT I HAVE THE VERY PROBLEM IT'S TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THAT TYPE OF SERVICE BY COMPANIES FOR SELLING FAULTY PRODUCTS TO THEIR CONSUMERS IS REALLY TOO SAD.

NHTSA ODI #10905661

132,000 miles · Sep 3, 2016
EnginePower Train

I NEEDED TO CHANGE ALL SENSORS BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE DVD AND SLIP LIGHT STAYED ON.NOW IT WILL NOT START ALL THE TIME AND IF IT DOES IT WILL DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10903472

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2016
Engine

AT 96635 MILES MY OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. NISSAN TOLD ME MY CAR NEEDS TO HAVE ITS TIMING CHAIN REPLACED WHICH BTW SUPPOSED TO LAST LIFE OF ENGINE. I'VE READ NISSAN KNEW ABOUT DEFECTIVE PARTS AND WAS NOT HONORABLE IN DOING A RECALL. WHATS THE POINT OF SWITCHING FROM TIMING BELT TO TIMING CHAIN IF…

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AT 96635 MILES MY OIL LIGHT WAS COMING ON WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. NISSAN TOLD ME MY CAR NEEDS TO HAVE ITS TIMING CHAIN REPLACED WHICH BTW SUPPOSED TO LAST LIFE OF ENGINE. I'VE READ NISSAN KNEW ABOUT DEFECTIVE PARTS AND WAS NOT HONORABLE IN DOING A RECALL. WHATS THE POINT OF SWITCHING FROM TIMING BELT TO TIMING CHAIN IF I NEED TO CHANGE IT AT THE SAME APPROXIMATE MILEAGE. ITS COSTING ME $3000.00 TO GET IT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10892359

140,000 miles · Jun 30, 2016
Engine

CAR DIED ON ME THIS MORNING! MECHANIC SAID TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS RADIATOR. PLUS COOLANT AND TRANNY FLUID LEAKED INTO EACH OTHER. SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE LAWSUITS AND MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ON. DEALERSHIP WONT FIX IT!

NHTSA ODI #10881829

129,000 miles · Jun 4, 2016
EnginePower Train

CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID ON 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. COLOR OF COOLANT IS PURPLE AND CLOUDY IN OVERFLOW AND RADIATOR. TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED SHUTTERING BETWEEN 35 - 45 MPH. SYMPTOMS BEGAN AT 130K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10872537

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2016
Engine

I PURCHASED A USED 2005 WITH APPRX 134,000 MILES. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING MONDAY FOR A CRACKED RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE SHIFTING ISSUES. 3 WEEKS LATER IT WAS GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS FROM A CERTIFIED NISSAN SERVICE SHOP AS "NEEDING TRANSMISSION REPLACES AS A RESULT OF COOLANT LEAK…

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I PURCHASED A USED 2005 WITH APPRX 134,000 MILES. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING MONDAY FOR A CRACKED RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE SHIFTING ISSUES. 3 WEEKS LATER IT WAS GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS FROM A CERTIFIED NISSAN SERVICE SHOP AS "NEEDING TRANSMISSION REPLACES AS A RESULT OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FROM CRACK RADIATOR" I WAS ESTIMATED OVER $7000 WORTH OF REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE RADIATOR CRACKING AND LEAKING COOLANT.

NHTSA ODI #10864429

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2016
Engine

I TAKE MY CAR IN TO NISSIAN REGULARLY AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT AND DOESN'T HAVE THAT MANY MILES ON IN FOR HOW LONG I HAVE OWNED IT. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. JUST HAD IT SERVICED IN FEBUARY, ALL WAS PERFECT. IT STARTED MAKING A AWFUL WHEN I G NOISE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN IS OUT AND THER…

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I TAKE MY CAR IN TO NISSIAN REGULARLY AND TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT AND DOESN'T HAVE THAT MANY MILES ON IN FOR HOW LONG I HAVE OWNED IT. I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER. JUST HAD IT SERVICED IN FEBUARY, ALL WAS PERFECT. IT STARTED MAKING A AWFUL WHEN I G NOISE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, TURNS OUT THE TIMING CHAIN IS OUT AND THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR SOME NISSIAN CARS FOR THIS NOT ALL. I CALLED NISSIAN CORP AND THEY SAID SINCE I HAVE NO WARRANTY THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HELP, EVEN THOUGH YOU GUYS HAVE ISSUED A SAFETY WARNING (NDTB07-042). THERE ALSO IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSIAN FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL NISSIAN. CARS/TRUCKS.

NHTSA ODI #10863547

Official recalls

2

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.