NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,050 reports70,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V075000. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT SHOWS THE VEHICLE HAS GASOLINE WHEN IT IS EMPTY. THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE "THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." I HAVE FILED TWO …
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V075000. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT SHOWS THE VEHICLE HAS GASOLINE WHEN IT IS EMPTY. THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE "THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." I HAVE FILED TWO COMPLAINTS WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345881
93,000 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Power Train
COMPLETE FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE REQUIRING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345709
60,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN OVERDRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AS IF DRIVING OVER AN EXTREMELY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE.THE FAILURE WOULD CORRECT ITSELF WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WOULD RETURN MOMENTARILY. THE FAILURE BECAME PR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH IN OVERDRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AS IF DRIVING OVER AN EXTREMELY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE.THE FAILURE WOULD CORRECT ITSELF WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WOULD RETURN MOMENTARILY. THE FAILURE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT HE HAD A BLOWN TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,432.
NHTSA ODI #10345404
104,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. MY HUSBAND FOUND COOLANT IN THE TRANNY OIL AND THEN DID RESEARCH AND FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. OUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANNY OVER TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344278
75,000 miles · Jul 18, 2010
Power Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION FAILURE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS A PROBLEM WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LOCATED INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THE FAULTY DESIGN RUINS THE TRANSMISSION, NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL. NISSAN AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF T…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION FAILURE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS A PROBLEM WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION COOLER IS LOCATED INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THE FAULTY DESIGN RUINS THE TRANSMISSION, NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL. NISSAN AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM, BUT STILL KEEP SELLING THEM TO UNAWARE CONSUMERS. MY TRANSMISSION IS DESTROYED AND I REPLACED THE RADIATOR AFTER WE FOUND COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. I KEPT THE OLD RADIATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343818
55,000 miles · Jul 11, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 55,000 MILES. I NOTICE A VIBRATION UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD LAST FOR 2-3 SECONDS EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT. I THOUGHT NOTHING ABOUT IT, UNTIL IT GOT WORST. NOW THE VEHICLE STALLS AND VIBRATES MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS AND MAJOR ROADS. I WENT ON-LINE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM A…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 55,000 MILES. I NOTICE A VIBRATION UNDER THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD LAST FOR 2-3 SECONDS EVERYTIME I WOULD DRIVE IT. I THOUGHT NOTHING ABOUT IT, UNTIL IT GOT WORST. NOW THE VEHICLE STALLS AND VIBRATES MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS AND MAJOR ROADS. I WENT ON-LINE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THE CAUSE WAS FROM A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE SLIPPAGE AND THE VIBRATIONS. THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN A NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE GONE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ISSUE, AS I HAD. THE ONLY THING NISSAN WILL DO IS REPLACE THOSE PARTS, BUT WE THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, ALTHOUGH IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE IN RELATION TO NISSAN USING INFERIOR QUALITY OF PARTS. IT WILL COST ME $5,600 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX A NISSAN PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342511
80,000 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. THE FAILURES WERE A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH. THE FAILURES WERE A RECURRING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,200.
NHTSA ODI #10342279
89,500 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER S/N [XXX] . ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAILURE OF OIL COOLER CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE READ OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $5,149.00 BEFORE TAXES TO GET THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. NISSAN KNOWS THIS I…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER S/N [XXX] . ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAILURE OF OIL COOLER CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE READ OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND NISSAN WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $5,149.00 BEFORE TAXES TO GET THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT TO SHOOK HIS HEAD AND SAID HE CURRENTLY HAS ONE IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT THEY WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN WORSE, THEY ARE REPLACING THE FAULTY PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. ISN'T THERE ANY WAY WE CAN GET THIS PUSHED THROUGH SO NISSAN WOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES? PLEASE CALL ME @ [XXX] . I WOULOD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP THE MANY PEOPLE IN MY SAME SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342004
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN DENT ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE PROBLEMS WITH 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED BOTH TO FAIL. ALSO, ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10342229
96,700 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Electrical System
THE 2005 PATHFINDER HAS LOST POWER / DIED RANDOMLY IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS 4 TIMES IN TWO MONTHS. AT LOW SPEED ACCELERATING INTO AN INTERSECTION, AT A STEADY 30MPH ON A CITY ROAD, AND AT 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. I LOSE COMPLETE POWER, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FADES IN AND OUT ALONG WITH OTHER …
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THE 2005 PATHFINDER HAS LOST POWER / DIED RANDOMLY IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS 4 TIMES IN TWO MONTHS. AT LOW SPEED ACCELERATING INTO AN INTERSECTION, AT A STEADY 30MPH ON A CITY ROAD, AND AT 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. I LOSE COMPLETE POWER, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FADES IN AND OUT ALONG WITH OTHER LIGHTS. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN VERY SCARY FOR MY FAMILY AS IT HAS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 15YEAR OLD DAUGHTER LEARNING TO DRIVE. SHE HAS ALSO BEEN STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AS THE VEHICLE IS STALLED AND CANNOT BE RESTARTED. WHEN TRYING TO RE-START, THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER AND MAINTAIN A SPUTTER, BUT NOT REALLY RUN AND NOT ALLOW MOVEMENT. NO ENGINE CODES WERE FOUND AFTER TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS, SO NO REPAIRS WERE ATTEMPTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341931
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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.
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