NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,050 reports67,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 67K MILES DEVELOPED A "SHUDDER" AT 40 MPH AND 60 MPH, APPROXIMATELY WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTING FROM 3RD INTO 4TH GEAR AND FROM 4TH INTO 5TH GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER (PART OF THE RADIATOR SYSTEM) HAD LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, RUINING THE TRANSM…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 67K MILES DEVELOPED A "SHUDDER" AT 40 MPH AND 60 MPH, APPROXIMATELY WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTING FROM 3RD INTO 4TH GEAR AND FROM 4TH INTO 5TH GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER (PART OF THE RADIATOR SYSTEM) HAD LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, RUINING THE TRANSMISSION, AND THAT BOTH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $5700. THE VEHICLE IS ONE MONTH SHORT OF FIVE YEARS OLD, BUT IS 7K MILES PAST THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND HAS BEEN PROBLEM-FREE UP TO THIS POINT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, ALONG WITH REPORTS THAT NISSAN WAS REFUSING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE ROOT PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RADIATOR. THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ONLINE; WHY IS NISSAN REFUSING TO DO A RECALL? YOU'D THINK THEY'D WANT TO AVOID THE PR DISASTER TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY ENDURING ... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319193
40,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
NISSAN HAS A WELL KNOWN FUEL GAUGE ISSUE DOES WHICH SHOWS THE TANK AS EMPTY EVEN WITH A FULL TANK. MY WIFE HAS TWICE RUN OUT OF GAS, ONCE IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION, CALLED ME CRYING. THANKFULLY A GOOD SAMARITAN CAME OVER AND PUSHED HER OUT OF INTERSECTION. MY 16 YR. DAUGHTER IS NOW DRIVING THIS CAR AND USES FREEWAY DAILY, WHAT HAP…
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NISSAN HAS A WELL KNOWN FUEL GAUGE ISSUE DOES WHICH SHOWS THE TANK AS EMPTY EVEN WITH A FULL TANK. MY WIFE HAS TWICE RUN OUT OF GAS, ONCE IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION, CALLED ME CRYING. THANKFULLY A GOOD SAMARITAN CAME OVER AND PUSHED HER OUT OF INTERSECTION. MY 16 YR. DAUGHTER IS NOW DRIVING THIS CAR AND USES FREEWAY DAILY, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CAR STOPS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND GOD FORBID IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO THIS. IS NISSAN GOING TO ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED IN THIS SCENARIO? MY ISSUE IS THAT THIS IS NOW BEING RECOGNIZED BY NISSAN AND A RECALL IS BEING INITIATED. MANY 2005 MODELS EXCEPT THE PATHFINDER ARE GOING TO BE FIXED FREE. THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO FIX FROM 2006+ ON THE PATHFINDER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS BLOGS ON THE INTERNET THAT ILLUSTRATE THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. ARE WE SUPPOSE TO SPEND $600 TO FIX WHAT NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGES AS AN ISSUE AND IS FIXING ON MOST OF THEIR OTHER MODELS EXCEPT THE 2005 PATHFINDER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. OUR PATHFINDER IS THE 3RD NISSAN WE HAVE OWNED. PREVIOUS MODELS WERE XTERRA AND TITAN TRUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319161
75,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE READS FULL PART OF THE TIME, EMPTY PART OF THE TIME AND ALL IN BETWEEN. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE IN THE TANK. NISSAN IS RECALL ING THE 2006 PATHFINDERS FOR THIS DEFECT, BUT ARE NOT RECALLING THE 2005 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSANUSA AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPAIR MY VEH…
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FUEL GAUGE READS FULL PART OF THE TIME, EMPTY PART OF THE TIME AND ALL IN BETWEEN. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE IN THE TANK. NISSAN IS RECALL ING THE 2006 PATHFINDERS FOR THIS DEFECT, BUT ARE NOT RECALLING THE 2005 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSANUSA AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPAIR MY VEHICEL. THE DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THE PROBLEM IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE MY GAS TANK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319085
78,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHUDDERS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. LOCAL DEALER SAYS TRANNY AND RADIATOR NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 5000-$7000. BOUGHT THE SUV WITH 73000, IT NOW HAS 79000. MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM , NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319006
79,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 5TH GEAR TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED FROM 5TH GEAR TO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10319004
135,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Fuel System, Other
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING, AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY, AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THE FUEL LEVEL WAS 'FULL'. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ERRATIC. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING, AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY, AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THE FUEL LEVEL WAS 'FULL'. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ERRATIC. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10318969
79,500 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009, I STARTED TO HAVE SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWNS IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT COULD OCCUR ANYTIME AND WAS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE. THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SUGGESTED A…
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ENGINE SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009, I STARTED TO HAVE SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWNS IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT COULD OCCUR ANYTIME AND WAS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE. THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SUGGESTED A NUMBER OF POSSIBILITIES AND CHECKED VARIOUS ITEMS WITHOUT SUCCESS. I WROTE THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT (NOV 17, 2009) AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND THE DANGER AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THE PROBLEM TO BE A COMPUTER DEVICE CALLED THE "INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE" OR IPDM. AT THE TIME OF MY PROBLEM THIS DEVICE WAS ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND FOR THEM. I PAID TO HAVE MY IPDM REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING, SINCE THE DEVICE WAS REPLACED, I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SHUTOFF AND MY VEHICLE RUNS FINE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT NISSAN IS NOT APPEAR OF THE PROBLEM SINCE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN ABOUT 2005. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318906
56,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER (56,000 MILES) HAS DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WHICH LEAKS FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION, NOW NEEDS BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. TRANSMISSION IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT BECAUSE OF NISSAN'S BAD RADIATOR THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318501
60,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS GAUGE FAILURE ON 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER--GAS GAUGE STOPS WORKING, OR WORKS ERRATICALLY. NISSAN HAS DONE A RECALL FOR 2006-2008 VEHICLES, BUT THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED 2005 VEHICLES, WHICH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318462
90,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR IS FAULTY AND IT SUDDENLY FAILED. THE RADIATOR COOLANT GOES BACK THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND MIXES THE FLUIDS TOGETHER. THE DEALER WAS CALLED, AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR IS FAULTY AND IT SUDDENLY FAILED. THE RADIATOR COOLANT GOES BACK THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND MIXES THE FLUIDS TOGETHER. THE DEALER WAS CALLED, AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THEY TOLD THE CONTACT TO FILE A CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10317719
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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