IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RADIATOR COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
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
Power Train complaints
585 reportsRADIATOR FLUID LEAKED TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION, DUE TO A FACTORY DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. MY TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RADIATOR. *TR
VEHICLE WAS NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY. TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HAD AIR FILTER REPLACED, AND CHECK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THAT GAVE A BUNCH OF CODES THAT ALL RELATED TO TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO SAID THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WORK TO BE DONE IS REP…
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VEHICLE WAS NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY. TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND HAD AIR FILTER REPLACED, AND CHECK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THAT GAVE A BUNCH OF CODES THAT ALL RELATED TO TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO SAID THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WORK TO BE DONE IS REPLACE RADIATOR, REBUILD TRANSMISSION, AND INSTALL EXTERNAL COOLERS. SHOP SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 PATHFINDERS. COST IS ABOUT $5000. THEY SAID THIS ALSO RUINED THE COMPUTER ON THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
ON 1/17/14,WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO A CRAWL.I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I LIVE CLOSE BY AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO OUR DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY TO…
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ON 1/17/14,WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO A CRAWL.I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND AVOID A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I LIVE CLOSE BY AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO OUR DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD LOOK AT OUR VEHICLE ON MONDAY. IN FOUR HRS., THE SVC.REP.CALLED AND SAID THE RADIATOR FAILED AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION.THEY FOUND A WHINING SOUND AND SAID THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST WOULD BE $3,200 FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND $2,000 FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. WHY DID THEY RUSH TO INSPECT THE SUV? WE WONDER IF THEY JUMPED ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A LARGE REPAIR. PRIOR TO THIS, WE TOOK OUR SUV IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINT.IN 8/13 AT THIS DEALER. WE WERE TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND NO REPAIRS WERE NEEDED. THE MILEAGE IS NOW 82,300 MILES, AND WE PLANNED TO KEEP IT FOR MANY MORE YEARS. WE CALLED THE NISSAN HOTLINE AND SPOKE WITH THE REG. CUST.SVC.REP. SHE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING NISSAN WOULD DO AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. WE DISCOVERED THAT NISSAN WAS INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT WAS RECENTLY SETTLED REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE NISSAN RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION COOLER LITIGATION, CASE NO. 10-CV-07493. WHY WEREN'T WE NOTIFIED BY NISSAN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY? PER THE SUIT, THE COST FOR REPAIRS OVER 80,000 MILES IS $2,500. IF THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED DURING OUR SCHEDULED MAINT. WE WOULD HAVE AVOIDED ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND EXPENSES. THIS MAKES US WONDER IF NISSAN AND THE DEALER CONSPIRED TO KEEP THIS INFO. QUIET UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE PASSED 80,000 MILES. WE ALSO DISCOVERED A NEW CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED ON 6/26/13 INVOLVING THE PREMATURE FAILING OF THE TIMING CHAIN. WE WILL PURSUE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THESE PROBLEMS THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF. *TR
I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING A LITTLE HIGH SO I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND AND HE SAID THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR WHEN THE CAP WAS REMOVED. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY A CO-PAY OF $2500.00 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD …
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I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING A LITTLE HIGH SO I TOOK IT TO A FRIEND AND HE SAID THERE WAS OIL IN THE RADIATOR WHEN THE CAP WAS REMOVED. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY A CO-PAY OF $2500.00 TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR
VEHICLE REVVED ERRATICALLY, THEN JERKED THEN CUT OFF . TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "RADIATOR FULL OF OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SMELLS BURNT-FLUIDS MIXING-NEED TRANSMISSION. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR I FELT LIKE I WAS RIDING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS IN THE ROAD. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH, SO THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AN…
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WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR I FELT LIKE I WAS RIDING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS IN THE ROAD. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH, SO THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR COOLANT FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYED BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MANY OTHER NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS (YEARS 2005 - 2010). THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOT RECOGNIZED BY NISSAN. *TR
PURCHASED THIS SUV FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER YEARS AGO, HAD IT CONFIRMED FROM THEIR MECHANIC AND WHEN I DROVE THIS PATHFINDER IT HAS A BUMP IN THE TRANS. WAS TOLD BY NISSAN OF PADUCAH, AUTOZONE OF PADUCAH THAT IT WAS THE CAT CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED. REPLACED THE CAT CONVERTER, STILL HAS…
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PURCHASED THIS SUV FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHO REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER YEARS AGO, HAD IT CONFIRMED FROM THEIR MECHANIC AND WHEN I DROVE THIS PATHFINDER IT HAS A BUMP IN THE TRANS. WAS TOLD BY NISSAN OF PADUCAH, AUTOZONE OF PADUCAH THAT IT WAS THE CAT CONVERTER WAS PLUGGED. REPLACED THE CAT CONVERTER, STILL HAS THE BUMP/SLIP IN THE TRANSMISSION. FOUND OUT THROUGH SEVERAL WEBSITES AND FORUMS THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN PART OF Z CLUBS IN THE USA FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND A LOYAL NISSAN OWNER AND CAN'T BELIEVE NISSAN WON'T TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR SUV'S AND SMALL TRUCKS... *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT INTERSECTION LEAVING VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE. PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY RADIATOR FLUID MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY DENIED ANY CLAIM FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE AND SETTLED THE CLAIMS FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THEY MADE IT BASICALLY IMPOSS…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED AT INTERSECTION LEAVING VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE. PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY RADIATOR FLUID MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY DENIED ANY CLAIM FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE AND SETTLED THE CLAIMS FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THEY MADE IT BASICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RECOVER ANY DAMAGES BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE A DEDUCTIBLE OF $3000 BEFORE THEY PAY ANYTHING. THEY ALSO WILL NOT COVER ANYTHING ABOVE 100,000 MILES. *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.