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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
114,699 miles · Aug 22, 2015
Power Train

THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS GO INTO GEAR FROM A STARTING POSITION, OR FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT. ALSO, IT WILL SUDDENLY LURCH INTO GEAR. IT'S A CONSISTENT ISSUE THAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE V…

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THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS GO INTO GEAR FROM A STARTING POSITION, OR FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT. ALSO, IT WILL SUDDENLY LURCH INTO GEAR. IT'S A CONSISTENT ISSUE THAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA AND IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI #10758535

150,000 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Power TrainSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10747816

100,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN I WENT TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR, AFTER I GOT IN AND STARTED THE CAR THE GAS GAGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY AND STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I COULDN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAD IN THE CAR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS IT ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL I PUT GAS IN THE CAR AGAIN AND IT DID IT ALL O…

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WHEN I WENT TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR, AFTER I GOT IN AND STARTED THE CAR THE GAS GAGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY AND STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I COULDN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAD IN THE CAR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS IT ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL I PUT GAS IN THE CAR AGAIN AND IT DID IT ALL OVER AGAIN BUT THIS TIME NEVER STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN READING ON LINE ALL THE OTHER NISSIAN SAID WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND THE REPAIR IS OVER $700.00. TOO MANY CARS AFFECTED WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND YOU CAN'T DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS IS IN YOUR CAR THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL AND HELP PAY THAT HUGE EXPENSE!

NHTSA ODI #10747068

90,000 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2014. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746051

65,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Power Train

THE TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65K MILES. IT COST $1200 AND IT'S A COMMON NISSAN PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10743877

105,000 miles · Jul 18, 2015
Power Train

VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE PICKING UP SPEED AFTER STOPPING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO COOL OFF BEFORE RESTARTING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALEARSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FLAW IN NISSANS WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO CRACKED ATF LINE. THEY RECOMMENDE…

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VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE PICKING UP SPEED AFTER STOPPING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO COOL OFF BEFORE RESTARTING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALEARSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FLAW IN NISSANS WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO CRACKED ATF LINE. THEY RECOMMENDED EITHER INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION OR HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT.

NHTSA ODI #10734945

112,000 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. I AM BEYOND UPSET. NO WAY THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS CAR IS CARED FOR PERFECTLY. MY TRANSMISSION SHOP ESTIMATES THE COST WILL BE OVER $3000. TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #10733744

122,000 miles · Jul 10, 2015
Power Train

THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10733292

160,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLANT LINE FAILED IN RADIATOR CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX AND DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #10732948

135,000 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Power Train

VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE PICKING UP SPEED AFTER STOPPING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO COOL OFF BEFORE RESTARTING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALEARSHIP AND THEY STATED INTO WAS A COMMON FLAW IN NISSANS WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO CRACKED ATF LINE. THEY RECOMMENDED E…

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VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE PICKING UP SPEED AFTER STOPPING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO COOL OFF BEFORE RESTARTING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALEARSHIP AND THEY STATED INTO WAS A COMMON FLAW IN NISSANS WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO CRACKED ATF LINE. THEY RECOMMENDED EITHER INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION OR HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THEY RECOMMENED A PLACE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. PICKED UP THE VEHICAL AFTER REBUILD ON JULY 1, 2015 AND BEGAN HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS ON JULY 7, 2015.

NHTSA ODI #10732705

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.