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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
70,225 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION RESPONDED EXTREMELY SLOW WITH SLIGHT HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE DEFECT WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR. THE LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE TRA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION RESPONDED EXTREMELY SLOW WITH SLIGHT HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE DEFECT WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR. THE LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,225. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10479574

146,316 miles · Oct 8, 2012
Power Train

WAS DRIVING ALONG AND VEHICLE STOPPED PULLING. TOO IT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY MASTER MECHANIC AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT IS WAS ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION IN WHICH THERE IS A RECALL. AND THEN WAS TOLD BY CORPORATION THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479284

78,000 miles · Oct 6, 2012
Power Train

COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478842

136,000 miles · Oct 5, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DRIVING VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD AND WOULDN'T DRIVE. TAKEN TO SHOP AND SAID DEFECT IN RADIATOR ALLOWED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION RUINING BOTH COMPONENTS. THIS IS A KNOWN COMPLAINT WHICH NISSAN FAILS TO ADDRESS. THEY UPED THEIR WARRANTY WHEN PROBLEM WAS SEEN BUT MOSTLY HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. I SPOKE WITH…

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DRIVING VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD AND WOULDN'T DRIVE. TAKEN TO SHOP AND SAID DEFECT IN RADIATOR ALLOWED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION RUINING BOTH COMPONENTS. THIS IS A KNOWN COMPLAINT WHICH NISSAN FAILS TO ADDRESS. THEY UPED THEIR WARRANTY WHEN PROBLEM WAS SEEN BUT MOSTLY HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. I SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND SHE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478788

116,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478653

112,973 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED. INTERNAL RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. IT IS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND IT CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. I HAVE CHOSEN TO LET MY VEHI…

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RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED. INTERNAL RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER WHEN DRIVING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. IT IS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND IT CAN BECOME VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS ON A VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. I HAVE CHOSEN TO LET MY VEHICLE SET. I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE A FATALITY TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP NOT TO LET NISSAN GET BY WITH THIS. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 01/02/13

NHTSA ODI #10478625

95,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Power Train

AFTER STARTING OUR PATHFINDER IN A PARKING LOT AND PLACING IT INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAD LOST ALMOST ALL ACCELERATION IN FIRST GEAR. AFTER SLOWLY CLIMBING INTO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LURCH ALMOST CAUSING OUR SUV TO STRIKE SEVERAL PARKED CARS. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WERE TOLD AFTER CAREFUL…

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AFTER STARTING OUR PATHFINDER IN A PARKING LOT AND PLACING IT INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAD LOST ALMOST ALL ACCELERATION IN FIRST GEAR. AFTER SLOWLY CLIMBING INTO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LURCH ALMOST CAUSING OUR SUV TO STRIKE SEVERAL PARKED CARS. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WERE TOLD AFTER CAREFUL INVESTIGATION THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED DUE TO DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE LEAKING OF COOLANT AND WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRANSMISSION COOLER. EXTENSIVE RUSTING AND DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ($4000) THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED US TO GET INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478607

110,000 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Power Train

WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD, CARS HAD TO SLAM ON THERE BRAKES AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE LEFT SIDE. WE HAD IT TOWED 20 MILES TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE THEM TELL US RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD BE $3500 TO F…

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WAS DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD, CARS HAD TO SLAM ON THERE BRAKES AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE LEFT SIDE. WE HAD IT TOWED 20 MILES TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE THEM TELL US RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD BE $3500 TO FIX, NISSAN OFFERED NO HELP OR COMPENSATION, CALLED BOTH THE DEALER AND NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WITH NO SUCCESS, NEITHER WANTED OR INSISTED ANY HELP WAS TREATED LIKE I DIDNT EXIST, CAUSED EXTREME PAIN FOR MY FAMILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478492

121,500 miles · Oct 2, 2012
Power Train

I HAD EXPERIENCED SOME SLIGHT JERKING AROUND 60-70 MPH AND DISMISSED IT AS THE TRANSMISSION JUST TRYING TO DECIDED BETWEEN GEARS. LAST NIGHT, WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD THEN I HEARD A SLIPPING NOISE AND IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND WOULDN'T MOVE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I…

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I HAD EXPERIENCED SOME SLIGHT JERKING AROUND 60-70 MPH AND DISMISSED IT AS THE TRANSMISSION JUST TRYING TO DECIDED BETWEEN GEARS. LAST NIGHT, WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD THEN I HEARD A SLIPPING NOISE AND IT FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND WOULDN'T MOVE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDST OF CROSSING AN INTERSECTION WITH MY PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND AND A 5 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE VEHICLE TO AVOID ANY DAMAGE. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL WAS GOOD, BUT SEEMED RATHER CLEAR COMPARED TO FLUID I HAD SEEN IN THE PAST. I HAD EXPECTED IT TO AT THE LEAST, LOOK DIRTY. AFTER READING REPORTS OF ISSUES ONLINE, MY GUESS IS THE ISSUE MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED OF COOLANT MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I'M HAVING A MECHANIC LOOK INTO THE ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478240

102,000 miles · Oct 2, 2012
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR FLUID AND WATER WERE FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION BOX. MECHANIC SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND CAN LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND LOSS OF DRIVING ABILITY AT ANY TIME. GOOGLE SEARCHES INDICATE AS SUCH, AND THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478238

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.