IllustrationHEATER BLOWS COLD WHEN IDLE, HEATER BLOWER DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN FULL. *KB
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, Other complaints
61 reportsFUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING,RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DAMAGING TRANSMISSION,FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT GETTING STUCK. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER FUEL LEVEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER FUEL LEVEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. SHOWS EMPTY AND LOW FUEL LIGHT ON WHEN IT IS REALLY A FULL TANK. THIS STARTED OFF SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY. IT WOULD WORK WHEN I FIRST FILLED IT UP AND THEN ABOUT HALF A TANK IT WOULD STOP WORKING RIGHT. THEN IT JUST COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING AT ALL AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. SHOWS EMPTY AND LOW FUEL LIGHT ON WHEN IT IS REALLY A FULL TANK. THIS STARTED OFF SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY. IT WOULD WORK WHEN I FIRST FILLED IT UP AND THEN ABOUT HALF A TANK IT WOULD STOP WORKING RIGHT. THEN IT JUST COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING AT ALL AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME NOW. I HAVE TO WRITE DOWN MY MILEAGE AND TRY TO GET GAS EVERY 300 OR SO MILES, VERY MUCH ANNOYING! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY ALTHOUGH IT WAS FULL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY ALTHOUGH IT WAS FULL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2008 UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED CAUSING FUEL GAUGE TO IMPROPERLY SHOWING CORRECT FUEL LEVELS. POSSIBLE CHANCE OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL DUE TO INCORRECT READINGS. AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON THE ROAD OR TO OTHERS SAFETY. *TR
FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED CAUSING FUEL GAUGE TO IMPROPERLY SHOWING CORRECT FUEL LEVELS. POSSIBLE CHANCE OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL DUE TO INCORRECT READINGS. AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON THE ROAD OR TO OTHERS SAFETY. *TR
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, DIAGNOSTICS DONE AFTER ON GOING PROBLEM AND CALLED NISSAN AFTER NISSAN SENT OUT EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I CANNOT USE AS IT WILL NOT COVER MY TRUCK FOR REPLACING THIS PART. (OVER $72K MILEAGE BUT UNDER 72 MONTH) THEY ADMITTED IN THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THIS IS A PR…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, DIAGNOSTICS DONE AFTER ON GOING PROBLEM AND CALLED NISSAN AFTER NISSAN SENT OUT EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I CANNOT USE AS IT WILL NOT COVER MY TRUCK FOR REPLACING THIS PART. (OVER $72K MILEAGE BUT UNDER 72 MONTH) THEY ADMITTED IN THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH SOME PATHFINDERS. I CALLED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BACK IN MAY OF 2010 ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT I CAN PAY FOR THIS REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART AND IF THERE IS A RECALL I CAN SUBMIT MY INVOICE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. RECENTLY WHEN I CALLED ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BECAUSE I AM OVER THE MILEAGE AND I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 6 YEARS, I WAS PASSED OFF TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS IF IT IN FACT DID COME BACK THAT IT IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. SO, $128.00 LATER I WAS TOLD I WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY WOULD ONLY PAY $250.00(THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LABOR AT WHICH I AM EXPECTED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET) OF ABOUT A $600.00 REPLACEMENT OF A BAD PART! I HAVE BEEN WRITING MY GAS MILEAGE DOWN FOR 58 WEEKS NOW, AS THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT 71086 MILES. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CONSUMER REP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT WASN'T DIAGNOSED 58 WEEKS AGO THEY WILL ONLY PAY $250.00, EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 58 WEEKS, NO MATTER IF THE DIAGNOSTICS WAS DONE THEN OR NOW. THERE IS QUITE A FORUM ON EDMOND'S.COM FOR THIS ISSUE AS THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND EVEN THOUGH THE PART NUMBER FOR THIS FUEL SENDING UNIT IS THE SAME AS THE 06 PATHFINDERS- NISSAN WILL NOT RECALL THE 05'S AND FIX THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY DID RECALL 06'S. *TR
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED STALLING LAST WEEK. I WOULD BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD JUST GO DEAD MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHOM INFORMED ME IT WAS AN IPDM ISSUE WHICH WAS IN THE PROCESS OF A RECALL.I INFORMED THEM I WAS STRAPPED FOR MONEY BEING IT…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED STALLING LAST WEEK. I WOULD BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD JUST GO DEAD MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHOM INFORMED ME IT WAS AN IPDM ISSUE WHICH WAS IN THE PROCESS OF A RECALL.I INFORMED THEM I WAS STRAPPED FOR MONEY BEING IT WAS A 700 DOLLAR JOB. THEY SAID CHANCES WERE IT WOULD BE COVERED. IT WAS NOT COVERED! I WAS INFORMED BY THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIR PEOPLE IF THERE WAS INFACT A RECALL I MAY BE NOTIFIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE FOUND ON NUMEROUS SITES THAT IT IS RECALLED BUT BECAUSE I DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE I'VE HAD WITH NISSAN. A FUEL SENSOR ISSUE WAS FOUND AND THEY COVERED NOTHING TELLING ME IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO TOUGH LUCK. ANOTHER 377.00 BUCKS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE NISSANS PRACTICES. I WILL NEVER TRUST THE NISSAN NAME AGAIN. *TR
DETAILS: VEHICLES FUEL SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS, ADDITIONALLY THE DIGITAL "DISTANCE TO EMPTY" DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. AT TIMES THE LOW GAS INDICATOR WILL BE DISPLAYED EVEN AFTER I FILLED THE TANK UP. I HAVE BEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS WHERE I RAN OUT …
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DETAILS: VEHICLES FUEL SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER HAVING A FULL TANK OF GAS, ADDITIONALLY THE DIGITAL "DISTANCE TO EMPTY" DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. AT TIMES THE LOW GAS INDICATOR WILL BE DISPLAYED EVEN AFTER I FILLED THE TANK UP. I HAVE BEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS WHERE I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY THINKING THAT I HAD ENOUGH GAS FOR MY JOURNEY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. NISSAN REPLACED THE PARTS ON 2006 & 2007 VEHICLES BUT REFUSE TO REPLACE MY 2005 DEVICE QUOTING THAT IT HAS HIGH MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. *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.