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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

Power Train complaints

585 reports
Clear category filter
63,000 miles · Feb 1, 2010
Power Train

I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. JUST A COUPLE OF SHORT WEEKS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STRANGE VIBRATION NOISE (LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING OVER A GROOVED SURFACE) COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AROUND 2000-2500 RPMS OR 45-65 MPH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE (HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRE…

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I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. JUST A COUPLE OF SHORT WEEKS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STRANGE VIBRATION NOISE (LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING OVER A GROOVED SURFACE) COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AROUND 2000-2500 RPMS OR 45-65 MPH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE (HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F177B6C/8#MSG8) I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE A TON OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM ON THE '05 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A HOSE THAT RUNS FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THUS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION AND THEN ULTIMATELY SHUT DOWN. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE POST ON EDMUNDS.COM, THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE IMPACTING ALL 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. YET, I MUST HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO/FRO WORK. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING ON NISSANS PART AND THEY NEED TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE AND ADDRESS THE FAULTY ENGINEERING HERE BEFORE SOMEONE'S TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AT 60MPH CAUSING A CRASH ON ONE OF OUR HIGHWAYS/INTERSTATES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303654

100,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2005 PATHFINDER ON THE HWY I NOTICED SMOKE ( A LOT)COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS ALSO LOSING RPMS (LIKE THE TRANNY WAS SLIPPING) THE SHOP SAID THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FRIED THE TRANSMISSION ($7000).NISSAN HERE LOCALLY STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IN THE MODE…

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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2005 PATHFINDER ON THE HWY I NOTICED SMOKE ( A LOT)COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS ALSO LOSING RPMS (LIKE THE TRANNY WAS SLIPPING) THE SHOP SAID THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FRIED THE TRANSMISSION ($7000).NISSAN HERE LOCALLY STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IN THE MODEL. THE ENGINE STOPPED SMOKING AFTER 20 MINUTES, HAD TO EVACUATE FOUR CHILDREN ON THE HWY. THIS IS SECOND POSTED COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE SHOP STATES THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW.*CW

NHTSA ODI #10302467

59,000 miles · May 2, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT THE OIL COOLER LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267551

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

COURTESY COPY OF A LETTER FROM CONSUMERS WRITTEN TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA RE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WHISTLE UP SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE TIRES WERE F…

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COURTESY COPY OF A LETTER FROM CONSUMERS WRITTEN TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA RE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WHISTLE UP SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE TIRES WERE FEATHERED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, THE DOOR PANELS CREAKED, THE BRAKES MADE A CLICKING NOISE, THE DRIVE BELTS WERE REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF A NOISE THE CONSUMER HEARD, THE PLASTIC FINISHER ON THE RUNNING BOARDS KEPT POPPING OFF, THE STRUT ON THE REAR HATCH LEAKED DUE TO A POOR SEAL, THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKED, THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE DEALER STATED IT FAILED DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE. THE REAR SHOCKS LEAKED, THE FRONT PINION SEAL AND OIL PINION SEAL WERE REPLACED AND THE REAR HATCH WINDOW LEAKED. *JB UPDATED 04/06/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10243688

61,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Power Train

THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A BUZZING / WHINING NOISE COMING FROM ONE OR BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND CAMSHAFT SPROCKET AREAS. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AT 61,000 MILES. COST: $2,148.00. PLEASE SEE NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLASSIFICATION: EM07…

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THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A BUZZING / WHINING NOISE COMING FROM ONE OR BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND CAMSHAFT SPROCKET AREAS. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AT 61,000 MILES. COST: $2,148.00. PLEASE SEE NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLASSIFICATION: EM07-001 NTB07-042. REFERENCE: DATE: JULY 17, 2007. I BELIEVE THIS ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MISTAKE ON NISSAN'S BEHALF WHEN THEY USED INAPPROPRIATE AND UNSAFE PARTS. I ASKED NISSAN TO COVER THIS ITEM UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH THEY QUICKLY REFUSED. I WAS 1,000 MILES PAST MY DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THIS HAD BEGUN WAY BEFORE THAT POINT. I FIND IT BOTH AMUSING AND CONVENIENT THAT NISSAN NEVER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO ITS CUSTOMERS, AND ME SPECIFICALLY UNTIL I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THE SERVICE REPORT IS DATED JULY 17, 2007, EXACTLY ONE YEAR PRIOR TO MY VEHICLE NEEDING REPAIR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CLEAR ADMITTANCE OF GUILT ON BEHALF OF NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235248

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.