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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

What owners actually said

1,050 reports
117,000 miles · Feb 25, 2016
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO THE DESTINATION. THERE WAS ONE INJRY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO THE DESTINATION. THERE WAS ONE INJRY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10838452

120,000 miles · Feb 24, 2016
Power Train

THE COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION IN TURNED DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. SHORTED THE SAFETY FEATURE IN THE TRANSMISSION TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE VECHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NISSAN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A 100K AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I RUINED…

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THE COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION IN TURNED DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. SHORTED THE SAFETY FEATURE IN THE TRANSMISSION TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE VECHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NISSAN TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A 100K AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I RUINED MY CREDIT AND 2 YEARS LATER I AM STILL HAVING MY CHECK GARNISHED FOR THIS HORRIBLE RECALL.. THEY REPOED THE VEHICLE AND SOLD IT FOR SCRAP AND LEFT ME HOLDING THE BILL BECAUSE I COULD AFFORD A $7000 FIX!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE HORRIBLE RECALL

NHTSA ODI #10837959

125,000 miles · Feb 15, 2016
Power Train

APPROX. 1 YEAR AGO I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT HAD TRANS FLUID IN IT SO I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I THEN TOOK THE PATHFINDER INTO HAMILTON NISSAN IN HAGERSTOWN MD. THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND INSTALLED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE PATHFINDER WAS NOT SHIFTING …

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APPROX. 1 YEAR AGO I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COOLANT HAD TRANS FLUID IN IT SO I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I THEN TOOK THE PATHFINDER INTO HAMILTON NISSAN IN HAGERSTOWN MD. THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND INSTALLED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE PATHFINDER WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE AND NOW SLIPS IN AND OUT OF 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I WAS ALMOST T-BONED THIS MORNING BECAUSE THE PATHFINDER WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHILE THE TRANS WAS IN DRIVE, WHICH IS WHY I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10826153

92,000 miles · Feb 12, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10825882

107,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING IN FROM A CRACKED RADIATOR

NHTSA ODI #10824036

130,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED. DESIGN ALSO CAUSED NEED FOR NEW RADIATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10824011

130,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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)

NHTSA ODI #10823715

86,000 miles · Jan 28, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER SAYS IT WAS CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SENSORS CHARGED ME $609.00 TO REPAIR. CAR HAD ONLY 86,261 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NO RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CAR TO SHUT OFF? CURRENTLY HAVING TO GET THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED COSTI…

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CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER SAYS IT WAS CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SENSORS CHARGED ME $609.00 TO REPAIR. CAR HAD ONLY 86,261 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NO RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CAR TO SHUT OFF? CURRENTLY HAVING TO GET THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED COSTING ANOTHER $250 NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION. CURRENT MILEAGE IS ONLY 106K.

NHTSA ODI #10822807

80,000 miles · Jan 22, 2016
Engine

OIL PRESSURE DROPPED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AND GUIDE FAILURE. IF COMPLETE FAILURE HAD ACCURED, MOTOR COULD HAVE BLOWN OR LOCKED UP CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10821643

86,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Unknown Or Other

COOLING LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING VEHICLES TO STALL WHICH CAN CAUSE CRASH. NISSAN AMERICA ADVISE THEY ALL ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM. HAD NO RESOLUTION ADVISED THE WOULD REPAIR FOR $3000. THE VEHICLE HESITATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS

NHTSA ODI #10818372

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.