SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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

Power Train complaints

585 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10492130

102,916 miles · Jan 7, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER DECELERATING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND ACCELERATION POWER DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT IS LEAD THROUGH THE RADIATOR TO BE COOLED, ALLOWED WA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER DECELERATING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND ACCELERATION POWER DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT IS LEAD THROUGH THE RADIATOR TO BE COOLED, ALLOWED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,916 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10491644

141,648 miles · Jan 6, 2013
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKED COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION AN TRANS STARTED SLIPPING NOW I NEED A TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491560

120,000 miles · Dec 28, 2012
EnginePower Train

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE ENGINE COOLANT CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE AN INTERNAL PIECE BROKE. THE ONLY REASON I NOTICED ANY ISSUE IS THE REVERSE GEAR BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE ENGAGING. AFTER VISITING TWO MECHANICS, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR/COOLANT SYSTEM AND PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALTHO…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE ENGINE COOLANT CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE AN INTERNAL PIECE BROKE. THE ONLY REASON I NOTICED ANY ISSUE IS THE REVERSE GEAR BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE ENGAGING. AFTER VISITING TWO MECHANICS, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR/COOLANT SYSTEM AND PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALTHOUGH NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE, THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION. ULTIMATELY, THIS REPAIR COST ME UPWARDS OF $6000.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490298

104,000 miles · Dec 21, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING AT ALL SPEEDS. COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE TRANS FLUID. THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD TO ALSO ADD A OIL COOLER AS A PRECAUTION. NOW 8K MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. BEST CASE SCENARIO IS A NEW TRANS VALVE ASSEMBL…

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING AT ALL SPEEDS. COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE TRANS FLUID. THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD TO ALSO ADD A OIL COOLER AS A PRECAUTION. NOW 8K MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. BEST CASE SCENARIO IS A NEW TRANS VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR $1500 OR WORST CASE NEW TRANS FOR $6500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489460

98,000 miles · Dec 19, 2012
EnginePower Train

MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUFFERED A RADIATOR LEAK WHICH LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM WHILE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE DESPITE THE CAR RUNNING AND THE GAS PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THEN THE TRANSMISSION "KICKED IN" AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWAR…

Read full complaint

MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUFFERED A RADIATOR LEAK WHICH LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM WHILE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE DESPITE THE CAR RUNNING AND THE GAS PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THEN THE TRANSMISSION "KICKED IN" AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNTIL THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE CAR COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489228

139,000 miles · Dec 18, 2012
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER CONTINUALLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER CONTINUALLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED CORROSION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: COOLING UNIT AND LINES) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ODI #10489108

80,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WATER IN TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR ISSUES NOW. $2500 CO-PAY TO HAVE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488764

116,000 miles · Dec 12, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED. SENT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PUT ME TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PLACE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REDONE AGAIN. AFTER THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND THE MECH. NOTICED THE MIXING OF RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEN I CONTACTED NISSAN AND NISSAN CORP. THEY BOTH PUSHED ME ASIDE SAYING THAT THEY CO…

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION FAILED. SENT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PUT ME TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PLACE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REDONE AGAIN. AFTER THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND THE MECH. NOTICED THE MIXING OF RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THEN I CONTACTED NISSAN AND NISSAN CORP. THEY BOTH PUSHED ME ASIDE SAYING THAT THEY COULD DO ANYTHING DO TO THE MILEAGE. I INCREASED THE URGENCY TO NISSAN CORP. I AM IN THE MILITARY WITH NO CAR FOR MY WIFE. I HAVE EXPENDED OVER 5 K ALREADY AND NOW NEEDING TO DO MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488620

100,280 miles · Dec 9, 2012
EnginePower Train

WE OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT MY WIFE DRIVES DAILY UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THAT THE TRANSMISSION GAVE UP ON US AT EXACTLY 100298 MILES. SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MILES AN OUR AND THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SUV JUST QUIT AND IT WOULD NOT GO NO FURTHER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CARS BEHIND HER BECAUSE OUR DAUGH…

Read full complaint

WE OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT MY WIFE DRIVES DAILY UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THAT THE TRANSMISSION GAVE UP ON US AT EXACTLY 100298 MILES. SHE SAID THAT SHE WAS DRIVING AROUND 50 MILES AN OUR AND THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SUV JUST QUIT AND IT WOULD NOT GO NO FURTHER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CARS BEHIND HER BECAUSE OUR DAUGHTERS WERE WITH HER AT THE TIME. SO NOW I HAVE A PATHFINDER THAT DOES NOT RUN BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD THE SIX GRAND THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME BECAUSE I WENT OVER 298 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487801

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.