Illustration2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHUDDERS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. LOCAL DEALER SAYS TRANNY AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 5000-$7000. BOUGHT THE SUV WITH 73000, IT NOW HAS 79000. MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM , NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *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
Power Train complaints
585 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 5TH GEAR TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 5TH GEAR TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,000.
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER (56,000 MILES) HAS DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WHICH LEAKS FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION, NOW NEEDS BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. TRANSMISSION IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT BECAUSE OF NISSAN'S BAD RADIATOR THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF EITHER. *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
RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING FAILURE WHEN MY FAMILY WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. ALTHOUGH NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS CASE, NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE PATHFINDER AND SOMEONE COULD BE HURT IN THE FUTURE. *TR
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 106,000 MILES HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED SINCE JUNE 2009. DEALERSHIP COVERED THEM UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW OTHER NON-WARRANTY ISSUES ARE OCCURRING WHICH WERE CAUSED BY THOSE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TRANSCOOLER REPLACED, HOSES, AND RADIATOR REPLACED AND FLUSHED...AT MY COST. …
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 106,000 MILES HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED SINCE JUNE 2009. DEALERSHIP COVERED THEM UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW OTHER NON-WARRANTY ISSUES ARE OCCURRING WHICH WERE CAUSED BY THOSE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. VEHICLE HAS HAD THE TRANSCOOLER REPLACED, HOSES, AND RADIATOR REPLACED AND FLUSHED...AT MY COST. VEHICLE MAKES A DANGEROUSLY LOUD VIBRATING NOISE BETWEEN 40-60 MPH AND BEGINS TO SHAKE. ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE KEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS EVERY 2 MONTHS OR SO. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE SUV BUCKS WILL NOT DRIVE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY UNSAFE IN TRAFFIC. *TR
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
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS HAVING THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING. IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN HAD A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF RADIATORS THAT HAS LET COOLANT LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING VIBRATIONS, HESITATION AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE.WE HAVE THREE FOSTER CHILDREN AND ONE OF THEM IS AN INFANT WITH A FEEDING…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS HAVING THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT SO MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING. IT SEEMS THAT NISSAN HAD A DEFECTIVE BATCH OF RADIATORS THAT HAS LET COOLANT LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING VIBRATIONS, HESITATION AND EVENTUALLY FAILURE.WE HAVE THREE FOSTER CHILDREN AND ONE OF THEM IS AN INFANT WITH A FEEDING TUBE AND TRACK I DO NOT WANT TO GET A CALL FROM MY WIFE SAYING SHE HAS BROKEN DOWN ON THE ROAD ON HER WAY TO VISITATION WITH THE BIOLOGICAL PARENTS OR TO DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS. NISSAN IS CLEARLY AVOIDING THIS PROBLEM! I EXPECT THEY WILL START TAKING ACTION WHEN LAWSUITS START ROLLING IN ON THEM. MR. CEO OF NISSAN MAY FIND THIS THING PARKED IN HIS LIVING ROOM IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY FOSTER CHILDREN BECAUSE OF BREAKING DOWN. JUST KIDDING, BUT I WILL BE PISSED. SOMEONE PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40350. UPDATED 03/26/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 07/23/10*JB
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.