IllustrationTRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING IN FROM A CRACKED RADIATOR
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 reportsTRANSMISSION FAILED. DESIGN ALSO CAUSED NEED FOR NEW RADIATOR.
ECM REPLACED UNDER RECALL. RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ 96K MILES UNDER "EXTENDED WARRANTY." TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2ND TIME 1 YEAR LATER. TRANSMISSION HOSES REPLACED TWICE (DURING SAME TIME PERIOD). NOW - 103K MILES - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON: VIAS SOLENOID VALVE, BANK 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & OIL PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH AL…
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ECM REPLACED UNDER RECALL. RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION REPLACED @ 96K MILES UNDER "EXTENDED WARRANTY." TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2ND TIME 1 YEAR LATER. TRANSMISSION HOSES REPLACED TWICE (DURING SAME TIME PERIOD). NOW - 103K MILES - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON: VIAS SOLENOID VALVE, BANK 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & OIL PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH ALL NEED REPLACED (POSSIBLY RELATED TO ECM RELAY ISSUE)
TRANSMISSION RADIATOR RUPTURED. COOLANT FLOODED TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION. THIS RUPTURED OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE JUST BOUGHT TRUCK FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS FOR DAUGHTER NEVER DROVE IT FIRST PUTTING ON THE HIGHWAY TRUCK STOP MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IN THE FAST LANE CAUSE TWO ACCIDENT GET IT PULL HOME THEN FOUND OUT ITS THE TRANSMISSION AN ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONCE IT COOLS OFF IT WILL DRIVE TILL THE …
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TRANSMISSION FAILURE JUST BOUGHT TRUCK FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS FOR DAUGHTER NEVER DROVE IT FIRST PUTTING ON THE HIGHWAY TRUCK STOP MOVING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IN THE FAST LANE CAUSE TWO ACCIDENT GET IT PULL HOME THEN FOUND OUT ITS THE TRANSMISSION AN ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONCE IT COOLS OFF IT WILL DRIVE TILL THE TRANSMISSION GETS HOT THEN IT STOPS WORKING AGAIN
ON 12/11/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND I HAD TO FORCE THE GEAR STICK INTO PARK IN THE FAR LEFT TURNING LANE AND NEARLY RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGIN…
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ON 12/11/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET WHEN MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUT OFF AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND I HAD TO FORCE THE GEAR STICK INTO PARK IN THE FAR LEFT TURNING LANE AND NEARLY RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE STALLED FOR ABOUT 40 SECONDS BEFORE RE-STARTING. AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE STARTED, THE "VDC OFF" AND "SLIP" LIGHTS CAME ON. THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE STILL ONE AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SKIPPING. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE HAS JUST SHUT OFF. THE OTHER TWO SHUTOFFS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR.
APPARENTLY THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE REGARDING A RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE A YEAR AGO WITH 117K MILES AND NO ONE BOTHERED TO MENTION THE ISSUE TO ME. I DID BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ACCORDING TO THEM, I'M OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER TH…
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APPARENTLY THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE REGARDING A RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE A YEAR AGO WITH 117K MILES AND NO ONE BOTHERED TO MENTION THE ISSUE TO ME. I DID BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ACCORDING TO THEM, I'M OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER THE RADIATOR AND THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER "CORROSION". I AM DISGUSTED BY THE WAY I'VE BEEN TREATED AND I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN SCAMMED
THE VEHICLE WILL AT TIMES NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, OR WILL FEEL LIKE IT IS LABORING AND BARELY MOVE. THE SHOP RETRIEVED CODES P1754 AND P0744, AND CLEARED CODES, WHICH RETURNED IN SHORT ORDER. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, OR WHERE WE LIVE, STRAND THE CAR ON A RAILROAD CROSSING (WE HAVE HAD 2 YOUNG L…
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THE VEHICLE WILL AT TIMES NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP LIGHT, OR WILL FEEL LIKE IT IS LABORING AND BARELY MOVE. THE SHOP RETRIEVED CODES P1754 AND P0744, AND CLEARED CODES, WHICH RETURNED IN SHORT ORDER. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, OR WHERE WE LIVE, STRAND THE CAR ON A RAILROAD CROSSING (WE HAVE HAD 2 YOUNG LADIES KILLED AT RAIL CROSSINGS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS HERE). WHEN A DRIVER EXPECTS THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, AND INSTEAD IT FLOUNDERS, THE RESULTS CAN ABSOLUTELY BE DEADLY. THE CAR HAS HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED (A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART CAUSING COSTLY DAMAGE), BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW BEING FINGERED AS THE CULPRIT AFTER CROSS CONTAMINATION OF COOLANT AND TRANS FLUID ALTERS THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTION TO BE ERRATIC. OURS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE, AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY TYPICAL FOR A MANUFACTURER TO COVER-UP KNOWN DEFECTS EVEN WHEN LIFE AND DEATH SAFETY CONCERNS ARE OBVIOUS. THE SUGGESTED REMEDY IS A VERY EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, COSTING THOUSANDS MORE THAN ON OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. PLEASE HELP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
DROVE VEHICLE OUT OF PARKING LOT AND LOST POWER IN TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED BY COOLANT CONTAMINATION FROM A CRACKED TRANSMISSION LINE IN THE RADIATOR. RESULTED IN A $6000+ REPAIR AT LOCAL REPAIR SHOP
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.