IllustrationFUEL LEVEL SENSOR A INPUT HIGH RECALL FOR NISSAN PATHFINDER DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2005 MODELS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
186 reports2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. CURRENT NISSAN RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM DOES NOT COVER 2005 MODEL YEAR. FUEL GAUGE READS INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS MAY RESULT IN UNKNOWINGLY RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. NOTHING REPLACED YET BUT THE SENSOR IS $600.00. OCCURS ONCE A WEEK. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT AND IT COULD OF BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE. IN JUNE '09 THE RADIATOR HAD A COOLING LINE THAT BROKE WHICH HAS BECOME A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND ANYTIME THAT A DRIVETRAIN IS IN ISSUE IT COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE. I REPLACED THE RADIATOR FOR $600 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT O…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT AND IT COULD OF BEEN A SAFETY ISSUE. IN JUNE '09 THE RADIATOR HAD A COOLING LINE THAT BROKE WHICH HAS BECOME A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AND ANYTIME THAT A DRIVETRAIN IS IN ISSUE IT COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE. I REPLACED THE RADIATOR FOR $600 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH VIOLENT STUTTERING AND ENGAGING IN AND OUT WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHICH COULD OF CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH NO HELP FROM NISSAN. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY SEVERAL HUNDRED CONSUMERS ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TOTAL I SPENT WAS $3197.09 WHICH SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY NISSAN CORP FOR THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN BY THE YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE FUEL SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMPTY; ALTHOUGH, GASOLINE WAS ADDED TO THE CAPACITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE SENSOR AT HER EXPENSE ALTHOUGH SHE HAD …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE FUEL SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EMPTY; ALTHOUGH, GASOLINE WAS ADDED TO THE CAPACITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE SENSOR AT HER EXPENSE ALTHOUGH SHE HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO AN EXISTING FUEL SENSOR RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90400. UPDATED 4/7/2010 *CN UPDATED 06/01/10. *JB
THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FAILED. THIS IS THE UNIT THAT SENDS HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE REMAINING TO THE GAUGE. BECAUSE OF THIS I RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE. THIS UNIT WAS RECALLED IN THE NEXT MODEL YEAR/SAME GENERATION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PART AT A COST OF $372. *TR
NISSAN FAULTY GAS GAUGES-RECALLED AFTER MY MODEL. MY GAS GAUGE HAS BEEN BAD FOR THE PAST 2 YRS. AT LEAST (WENT BAD RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP) NEED TO LOOK INTO MODELS BEFORE 2006 ALSO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE IT WENT BAD. DEALERSHIP SAID $400 FOR PART, NOT INCLUDING SERVICE. DEALERSHIP SAID GAS GAUGE WILL EVENTUAL…
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NISSAN FAULTY GAS GAUGES-RECALLED AFTER MY MODEL. MY GAS GAUGE HAS BEEN BAD FOR THE PAST 2 YRS. AT LEAST (WENT BAD RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY WAS UP) NEED TO LOOK INTO MODELS BEFORE 2006 ALSO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE IT WENT BAD. DEALERSHIP SAID $400 FOR PART, NOT INCLUDING SERVICE. DEALERSHIP SAID GAS GAUGE WILL EVENTUALLY JUST GO COMPLETELY OUT. HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE. THAT WAS EVEN TRYING TO HAVE HALF A TANK OF GAS. *TR
FILLED UP WITH GAS AND FUEL SENSOR GOES BAD. GAS LEVEL IS NO LONGER CORRECT THUS VEHICLE COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AT ANYTIME CAUSING A HAZARD. THIS REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF SENSOR. *TR
2005 PATHFINDER SE- WITH 52K MILES VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH) ON FREEWAY- ALL POWER CONTROLS FAILED PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE WITH A FAILURE OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR- REPORTS ACQUIRED INDICATE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT ON 2005 AND NEWER MODEL YEAR P…
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2005 PATHFINDER SE- WITH 52K MILES VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH) ON FREEWAY- ALL POWER CONTROLS FAILED PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE WITH A FAILURE OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR- REPORTS ACQUIRED INDICATE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT ON 2005 AND NEWER MODEL YEAR PATHFINDERS- FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FAILS AND GIVES INACCURATE READING TO DRIVER - WHEN TANK IS EMPTY SHOWS IT TO BE 1/2 FULL. WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED LOOSING ALL ENGINE POWER CAN BE CATASTROPHIC DEALER REPORTS MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS BUT NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS WIDESPREAD MANUFACTURING/DESIGN PROBLEM REPORTED ALSO ON LINE. *TR
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING HIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
FUEL SENDING MODULE FAILURE IN 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH APPROX 62,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" TO COME ON AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO FAIL EMISSION TEST. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK ACCURATELY EITHER. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDERS OF THIS VINTAGE AND REQUIRES THE FUEL TANK TO …
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FUEL SENDING MODULE FAILURE IN 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH APPROX 62,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" TO COME ON AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO FAIL EMISSION TEST. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK ACCURATELY EITHER. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDERS OF THIS VINTAGE AND REQUIRES THE FUEL TANK TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS WORTHY OF A RECALL SINCE IT IS SO WIDESPREAD. *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.