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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
189,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

NHTSA ODI #10667620

80,000 miles · Dec 13, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING.... YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK... MY FAMILY WAS STUCK THINKING THAT THERE WAS GAS IN THE TANK WHILE GOING 55 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664046

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

RAN OUT OF GAS B/C FUEL GAUGE KEEPS SHOWING EMPTY EVEN WHEN IT IS FULL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663628

154,565 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,565.

NHTSA ODI #10651440

77,280 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE VEHICLE LAGGED SHIFTING AND SHIFTED ABRUPTLY. ALSO THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP (NOT A NISSAN SHOP) THEY INDICATED THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK IN IT AND FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 PATHFINDER AND THEY WOULD FIX…

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THE VEHICLE LAGGED SHIFTING AND SHIFTED ABRUPTLY. ALSO THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO SHOP (NOT A NISSAN SHOP) THEY INDICATED THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK IN IT AND FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN SHOP AND THEY SAID THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 PATHFINDER AND THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT WOULD COST ME $3000 AND THERE WOULD BE NO WARRANTY ON THE FIX. SEEMS UNFAIR IF, AS THEY ADMITTED AT MY LOCAL NISSAN SHOP, THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650464

122,000 miles · Oct 27, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #10650361

98,000 miles · Oct 16, 2014
Electrical System

VEHICLE KEEPS SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. BUT RESTARTING INSTANTLY SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES 5 TO TEN MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10645033

96,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO WARNING, NO PRIOR, NOISE OR VIBRATION, JUST A SUDDEN TOTAL FAILURE. THE CAUSE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION RADIATOR. THE CURRENT NISSAN 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' IS NOT SUFFICIENT GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE RISKS ASS…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO WARNING, NO PRIOR, NOISE OR VIBRATION, JUST A SUDDEN TOTAL FAILURE. THE CAUSE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION RADIATOR. THE CURRENT NISSAN 'EXTENDED WARRANTY' IS NOT SUFFICIENT GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643797

72,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Power Train

AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND MY TWO SMALL SONS AND I NEARLY GOT NAILED BY ANGRY ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT HONKED, YELLED, AND INAPPROPRIATELY GESTURED AT US TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AS WELL AS OTHERS. THIS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN EVEN REMEMBER. IT ALSO…

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AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND MY TWO SMALL SONS AND I NEARLY GOT NAILED BY ANGRY ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT HONKED, YELLED, AND INAPPROPRIATELY GESTURED AT US TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AS WELL AS OTHERS. THIS HAPPENED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN EVEN REMEMBER. IT ALSO SHUDDERS AND SLIPS WHILE DRIVING AT 40-50 MPH. IT IS DANGEROUS! WHY DOESN'T ANYONE DO SOMETHING! I HAD BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM SINCE 65,000 MILES AND AT 80,300 MILES WE FOUND TRANI FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. AFTER GOOGLING THE ISSUE AND LEARNING THAT IT WAS A PART A OF A CLASSACTION SUIT I WAS PISSED THAT I HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED. I AM A STRUGGLING MOTHER OF TWO AND I AM STILL PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE FOR THE LAST YEAR BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT! I FEEL THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IN PLACE!!!! LIVES ARE BEING ENDANGERED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643483

95,300 miles · Sep 28, 2014
EnginePower Train

I HAD THE VEHICLE'S TIRES REPLACED AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THERE WAS A SHUDDER LIKE RUMBLE STRIPS. I TOOK THE PATHFINDER BACK TO HAVE THE TIRES LOOKED AT. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE SHUDDER STILL PERSISTED. I TALKED TO A FRIEND WHO OWNS A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RADIATOR LEAK/TRANSMISS…

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I HAD THE VEHICLE'S TIRES REPLACED AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THERE WAS A SHUDDER LIKE RUMBLE STRIPS. I TOOK THE PATHFINDER BACK TO HAVE THE TIRES LOOKED AT. REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE SHUDDER STILL PERSISTED. I TALKED TO A FRIEND WHO OWNS A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RADIATOR LEAK/TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE SAID TO CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT FOR MILKINESS AND SEARCH ONLINE. THE COOLANT IS MILKY AND AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, MY FAMILY IS SCARED TO USE THE PATHFINDER. I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE COOLING SYSTEM NOT WEAR AND TEAR. A FAILING TRANSMISSION IS MORE LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAN A FAILING COOLING SYSTEM. ALSO, NISSAN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY SEEMS TO END TO EARLY TO BE EFFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639647

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.