Illustration2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER...RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. COMMON PROBLEM NISSAN WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT. *TR
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
What owners actually said
1,050 reportsMY 2005 PATHFINDER WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL IT STARTED DEVELOPING A CASE OF THERMOSTAT FLUCTUATION; IT WOULD ALMOST GO INTO THE RED AND THEN DROP ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN TO THE NORMAL LEVEL. I TOOK IT TO PRECISION TUNE AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR HOSE ASSEMBLY. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE TRANNY STARTED SLIPPING. AS I HAD ALREA…
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MY 2005 PATHFINDER WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL IT STARTED DEVELOPING A CASE OF THERMOSTAT FLUCTUATION; IT WOULD ALMOST GO INTO THE RED AND THEN DROP ALL THE WAY BACK DOWN TO THE NORMAL LEVEL. I TOOK IT TO PRECISION TUNE AND THEY REPLACED THE RADIATOR HOSE ASSEMBLY. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT, THE TRANNY STARTED SLIPPING. AS I HAD ALREADY READ FROM OTHER CONSUMERS, I KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO MY TRUCK, AND BECAUSE THE TRUCK ALREADY HAD 120K + MILES ON IT, I KNEW WHAT NISSAN WOULD LIKELY SAY. SURE ENOUGH, ONE AFTERNOON, I GOT IN THE TRUCK AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE FORWARD. I IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN IN APRIL AND BEGAN THE FIGHT TO GET IT FIXED; THEY QUOTED ME $5100 TO REPLACE THE TRANNY AND RADIATOR DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. I CONTACTED THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, AND NOT ONLY DID THEY TELL ME THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT, BUT REFERRED ME TO THE BBB (A VERY BRAZEN MOVE IN MY MIND, TO HAVE A COMPANY REFER YOU TO THEM ABOUT THEM). THEY ALREADY KNEW THE BBB WOULDN'T HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. NEARLY FOUR MONTHS LATER, IT STILL SITS AT THE DEALER, BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE REPAIR COST (I STILL OWE FOR TWO YEARS ON THE VEHICLE), AND NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX IT, ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS. SOMEONE HAS TO DIE, I GUESS, BEFORE THEY PULL THEIR VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT (NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MY MECHANIC AND HAVE SEEN ONLINE AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING AND HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO MIX TOGETHER ERRONEOUSLY, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING AND HESITATING WHEN ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO MIX TOGETHER ERRONEOUSLY, DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,151.
I NOTICED A CONSISTENT VIBRATION WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED AROUND 40 MPH. AN INITIAL FLUSH OF THE FLUID TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT REAPPEARED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW ERRATIC AT ALMOST EVERY SHIFTING JUNCTURE AND IS PRONOUNCED AT HIGH SPEEDS. AN INSPE…
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I NOTICED A CONSISTENT VIBRATION WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTED AROUND 40 MPH. AN INITIAL FLUSH OF THE FLUID TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT REAPPEARED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW ERRATIC AT ALMOST EVERY SHIFTING JUNCTURE AND IS PRONOUNCED AT HIGH SPEEDS. AN INSPECTION AT A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED NISSAN DESIGN FLAW THAT NISSAN WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THE VEHICLE IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG ONE DAY AND OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN. THIS HAPPENED IN FAST TRAFFIC AND WITH MY BABY IN THE BACK, NOT EXACTLY THE SAFEST SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, SEEMINGLY A CRACK HAPPENS IN THE RADIATOR THAT SPILLS INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID RENDERING THE TRANSMISSION USELESS. SO NISSAN …
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG ONE DAY AND OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN. THIS HAPPENED IN FAST TRAFFIC AND WITH MY BABY IN THE BACK, NOT EXACTLY THE SAFEST SITUATION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, SEEMINGLY A CRACK HAPPENS IN THE RADIATOR THAT SPILLS INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID RENDERING THE TRANSMISSION USELESS. SO NISSAN EXTENDED THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES, PROBLEM IS MY PATHFINDER HAS 90,000 MILES. CALL ME CRAZY BUT WHY DOES A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW BECOME MY PROBLEM EVER? WEAR AND TEAR IS ONE THING, DESIGN FLAWS ARE ANOTHER. I'M GOING FROM ONE OF NISSAN'S BIGGEST FANS TO NEVER WANTING TO BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. NISSAN IS FAILING TO RECALL THIS KNOWN PROBLEM OR AT THE VERY LEAST HELP ME NOT BECOME A HATER. WHAT A LOST OPPORTUNITY. NISSAN FAILED. HERE'S THE KICKER, I WAS ABOUT TO BUY A SECOND NISSAN, OBVIOUSLY THEIR REACTION WON'T ALLOW ME TO DO THAT NOW. I CALLED NISSAN TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO AND I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING BUT JUNIORS WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DEVIATE FROM A SCRIPT. THE SUPERVISOR IS NOT INTERESTED IN CONNECTING WITH ME, IT'S SO OBVIOUS THEY ARE TAKING A HEAD IN THE SAND APPROACH. IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE TOYOTA PEDAL RECALL IMPLICATIONS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
GOING UP A STREET WITH A LOW HILL AND THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T ENGAGE TO GEAR MAKING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND THE WAS TRAFFIC IN BACK OF ME, I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET ROOM TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,769 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,113.
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.