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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

Fuel System, Other complaints

61 reports
Clear category filter
87,000 miles · Feb 27, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS, HAD 60K SERVICE DONE AT DEALER, STARTED AGAIN, FLUSHED AGAIN AT 72 HAD PROBLEMS AGAIN AT 80 AND AT 87K THE RADIATOR CORE FAILED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND SEIZE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS 4400.00 AFTER HEARING ABOUT THIS I DID A LITT…

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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS, HAD 60K SERVICE DONE AT DEALER, STARTED AGAIN, FLUSHED AGAIN AT 72 HAD PROBLEMS AGAIN AT 80 AND AT 87K THE RADIATOR CORE FAILED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND SEIZE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS 4400.00 AFTER HEARING ABOUT THIS I DID A LITTLE SEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AS THE SHIFTING IS A PRECURSER TO THE FAILURE, I WANTED THE DEALER TO COVER SINCE THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS OK.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314881

60,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE ENTIRE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT HAS 1/4 TANK OF GAS. MINE CUT OF WHILE GOING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER & THEY SAID IT WAS THE IDP CHIP. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEVERAL PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR CU…

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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE ENTIRE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT HAS 1/4 TANK OF GAS. MINE CUT OF WHILE GOING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER & THEY SAID IT WAS THE IDP CHIP. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEVERAL PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR CUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PART COULD TAKE UP TO 1 MONTH TO GET IN! WHEN THEY FINALLY GOT THE PART IT COST ME OVER $400 TO PUT IN ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307847

50,000 miles · Nov 17, 2009
Fuel System, Other

WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 PATHFINDER USED AND UPON GETTING A HALF OF TANK OF GAS OUR GAS METER GOES STRAIGHT TO EMPTY IF IT'S LEFT IDLING FOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT WON'T RETURN TO FULL UNLESS YOU FILL THE TANK BACK UP. IT USED TO RETURN TO THE CORRECT POSITION WHEN WE'D SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT'S NO LONGER DOING THAT U…

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WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 PATHFINDER USED AND UPON GETTING A HALF OF TANK OF GAS OUR GAS METER GOES STRAIGHT TO EMPTY IF IT'S LEFT IDLING FOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT WON'T RETURN TO FULL UNLESS YOU FILL THE TANK BACK UP. IT USED TO RETURN TO THE CORRECT POSITION WHEN WE'D SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT'S NO LONGER DOING THAT UNLESS WE FILL THE TANK BACK UP. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAIN ON THIS MODEL AND SEEMS KIND OF DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292443

44,946 miles · Nov 1, 2009
Fuel System, Other

ON11/01/09 I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND DRIVING AWAY I NOTICED THE GAUGE REMAINED ON 1/4 OF A TANK. ALSO THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE READING ON THE DTE READ ------. NOTICED ON THE NET THERE ARE MANY OTHER LIKE ME THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290515

58,789 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I HAD A 1/4 OF A TANK SO I WENT AND FILLED UP,AS SOON AS I STARTED THE TRUCK IT REGISTERED EMPTY SOON AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY DTE JUST READ ---- CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A PROBLEM REAL COMMON IM AFRAID TO GET ON THE FREEWAY AND RUN OUT OF GAS CAUSE THAT COULD BE REAL DANGEROUS FOR ME AS WELL AS T…

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I HAD A 1/4 OF A TANK SO I WENT AND FILLED UP,AS SOON AS I STARTED THE TRUCK IT REGISTERED EMPTY SOON AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY DTE JUST READ ---- CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A PROBLEM REAL COMMON IM AFRAID TO GET ON THE FREEWAY AND RUN OUT OF GAS CAUSE THAT COULD BE REAL DANGEROUS FOR ME AS WELL AS TO OTHERS ITS A SHAME THAT SOMEONE WILL HAVE GET HURT OR LOSS THERE LIFE IN ORDER FOR NISSAN TO CORRECT THIS SIMPLE PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED OLDER NISSAN TRUCKS IN THE PAST, WHEN THEY WERE ABLE TO RECALL THEM WITH NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP FOR SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR STREETS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284167

59,487 miles · Jul 10, 2009
Fuel System, Other

NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005 SE ERROR CODE P0463 FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FAULTY GAS GAUGE, REPLACEMENT COST $400+. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276365

43,000 miles · Jun 2, 2009
Fuel System, Other

CONTINUING MALFUNCTION OF FUEL GUAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272673

55,000 miles · May 28, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL GAUGE READING IN 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS NOT WORKING FOR A SECOND TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10270224

30,500 miles · May 7, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILING LIKE ON MANY NISSAN VEHICLES. RECALL AND QUIT MAKING PEOPLE PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR FAULTY PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268174

77,100 miles · Apr 7, 2009
Fuel System, Other

MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S GAS GAUGE DISPLAY SUDDENLY DROPPED TO SHOW 0 MILES ON DISTANCE TO EMPTY WHILE THE GAUGE SHOWED 1/4 OF A TANK. THE DISPLAY THEN WENT TO A FLAT LINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THE INTAKE THE DEALER SERVICE REP GAVE NO INDICATION THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SUCH BEFORE AND THE SECOND SERVICE REP …

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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S GAS GAUGE DISPLAY SUDDENLY DROPPED TO SHOW 0 MILES ON DISTANCE TO EMPTY WHILE THE GAUGE SHOWED 1/4 OF A TANK. THE DISPLAY THEN WENT TO A FLAT LINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THE INTAKE THE DEALER SERVICE REP GAVE NO INDICATION THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SUCH BEFORE AND THE SECOND SERVICE REP SAID HE HAS SEEN IT ONCE OR TWICE. HE STATED THE REPAIR WOULD BE NEAR $500. AFTER I BALKED ABOUT SUCH HE "MADE SOME CALLS" AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT DOWN TO A LITTLE OVER $300. WHILE LOOKING ON LINE TODAY, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE OVER 36 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THIS REPORTING AGENCY THROUGHOUT ALL THE FUEL SYSTEM SUB CATEGORIES. THERE IS ALSO A TECHNICAL BULLETIN FROM NISSAN NTB07-069A THAT ADDRESSING SUCH IN PATHFINDERS, FRONTIERS, AND EXTERRA MODELS BUILT PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 2007. DIAGNOSTIC CODES 0461,0462,0463. WITH THIS BEING THE 37TH COMPLAINT, SHOULD THIS NOT BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264372

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.