NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
66 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 15, 2025
Electrical System
I am reporting a serious safety defect with my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle has an open recall for the airbag emblem (NHTSA #23E-012 / PC948), which is scheduled for inspection. However, I am writing today because I am also experiencing a repeated and dangerous malfunction that is unrelated to that recall: T…
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I am reporting a serious safety defect with my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle has an open recall for the airbag emblem (NHTSA #23E-012 / PC948), which is scheduled for inspection. However, I am writing today because I am also experiencing a repeated and dangerous malfunction that is unrelated to that recall: Total loss of dashboard lights and instruments while driving No throttle response even though the engine remains running Temporary function restored only by turning the vehicle off and restarting it on the roas This behavior matches known electrical failures in this model year, often related to the IPDM, ignition switch, or ECM communication. These are not cosmetic or maintenance issues—they are life-threatening. My vehicle has done this multiple times, including at highway speeds. When I contacted South Colorado Springs Nissan, I was told they would only inspect the airbag emblem and would not evaluate this issue unless I paid for diagnostics. I find this unacceptable given Nissan’s history with these failures and the high likelihood this is a known and unresolved defect. I am requesting: That this issue be escalated within Nissan North America That Nissan consider this under a goodwill safety repair, if not covered by existing recall or campaign That the vehicle be diagnosed immediately, and Nissan be held accountable for any known defects I am also reporting this to NHTSA as a safety concern. Please confirm receipt of this email and provide next steps. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11673690
98,800 miles · Jan 14, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
AL ENCENDER EL CARRO Y CALENTAR PARA SALIR EL VEHCULO ENCIENDE UNA LUZ Y EN MARCHA EL SOLO SE APAGA EN MEDIO DE LAS CALLES O CARRETERAS. LOS MECANISMOS LO CHEQUEO Y JUNTO AL SERVICIO DE SEGURO ELLOS SACARON LA CONCLUSIN LA TRANSMISIN CALIENTA LOS CABLES QUE VAN AL MOTOR QUE ESTO ES UN PROBLEMA DE FBRICA Y POR ESTO YO TUVE QUE R…
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AL ENCENDER EL CARRO Y CALENTAR PARA SALIR EL VEHCULO ENCIENDE UNA LUZ Y EN MARCHA EL SOLO SE APAGA EN MEDIO DE LAS CALLES O CARRETERAS. LOS MECANISMOS LO CHEQUEO Y JUNTO AL SERVICIO DE SEGURO ELLOS SACARON LA CONCLUSIN LA TRANSMISIN CALIENTA LOS CABLES QUE VAN AL MOTOR QUE ESTO ES UN PROBLEMA DE FBRICA Y POR ESTO YO TUVE QUE REBELDA LA TRANSMISIN POR $4.000.00 Y EL SEGURO ME AUMENTO DE $1000S A $ 4000S. NO PUEDO USA MI CARRO QUE PAGUE $20.000. FUI AL DILER DE LA NISSAN Y ELLOS ME DIJERON TENGO QUE PAGAR $165.00 PARA EMPEZAR Y DESPUS ME DIRN E CUANTO ME CUENTA EL TOTAL DEL ARREGLO. NO OBSTANTE CON EL DIAGNSTICO DEL INGENIERO DE MECNICA DEL SEGURO STATE FARM Y LOS 3 MECANISMOS QUE ESTUVIERON EN ARREGLO 1 DE MOTOR Y ELCTRICO Y TRANSMISIN. HE GASTADO MUCHO DINERO Y NO PUEDEN HACER NADA NI USAR MI VEHICULO. EN QUE USTEDES ME PUEDEN AYUDAR POR AMOR A DIOS?
NHTSA ODI #11388135
90,000 miles · Jun 9, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK DAMAGED THE BATT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK DAMAGED THE BATTERY. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED BRAKE LINE AND REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SECOND FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO ANDERSON NISSAN (3842 AZ-95, LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ 86404) WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A LOOSE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WITH THE BATTERY RELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO THE CONTACT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED ONCE AGAIN HOWEVER, THE BATTERY FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THEY DISCOVERED A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11327965
115,000 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIGITAL FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL MILEAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF DUE TO NO FUEL BEING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIGITAL FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT FUEL MILEAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF DUE TO NO FUEL BEING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #11185771
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I DRIVE THE CAR AND PARK AND THEN WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR AGAIN IT DOESN'T START SO I HAVE TO CALL A TOW COMPANY TO GET A JUMP TO START THE CAR AND STARTS RIGHT UP. I HAVE TAKEN TO NISSAN MANY TIMES AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MANY TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.I GOT STUCK THE LAST TIM…
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I DRIVE THE CAR AND PARK AND THEN WHEN I GO TO START THE CAR AGAIN IT DOESN'T START SO I HAVE TO CALL A TOW COMPANY TO GET A JUMP TO START THE CAR AND STARTS RIGHT UP. I HAVE TAKEN TO NISSAN MANY TIMES AND THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MANY TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.I GOT STUCK THE LAST TIME AND IT WAS FAR SO I HAD TO LEAVE IT AT A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND NISSAN DOES NOT HONOR THEIR MANUFACTURE WARRANTY AND ALSO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD. I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO BUY BACK MY CAR BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT LIKE THIS AND I NEED A CAR TO GET AROUND I'M DISABLED ALSO. I'M TOTALLY DISCUSSED WITH NISSAN.
NHTSA ODI #11102572
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeats
MY NISSAN CRANKS BUT DON'T START, DON'T KNOW WAS WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #11073737
165,000 miles · Nov 9, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND SPORADICALLY AS I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL JERK AND THEN SHUT OFF, LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING OR BRAKES. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE HARD TO START BUT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND THIS IS ALSO A RANDOM OCCURANCE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IT SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL…
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WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND SPORADICALLY AS I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WILL JERK AND THEN SHUT OFF, LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING OR BRAKES. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE HARD TO START BUT WILL EVENTUALLY START AND THIS IS ALSO A RANDOM OCCURANCE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IT SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND LEAVING ME WITH NO CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #11044987
138,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE IS FAULTY. FUEL LEVEL WILL READ 1/2 FULL AND YET APPROACH EMPTY. THE VEHICLE HAS RUN OUT OF GAS FOUR TIMES, PUTTING THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS IN A DANGEROUS POSITION.
NHTSA ODI #11021407
86,000 miles · Jan 28, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER SAYS IT WAS CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SENSORS CHARGED ME $609.00 TO REPAIR. CAR HAD ONLY 86,261 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NO RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CAR TO SHUT OFF? CURRENTLY HAVING TO GET THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED COSTI…
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CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER SAYS IT WAS CAMSHAFT AND CRANK SENSORS CHARGED ME $609.00 TO REPAIR. CAR HAD ONLY 86,261 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NO RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT CAN CAUSE CAR TO SHUT OFF? CURRENTLY HAVING TO GET THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED COSTING ANOTHER $250 NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION. CURRENT MILEAGE IS ONLY 106K.
NHTSA ODI #10822807
119,000 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Electrical System
AS I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 24 WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC,I WAS RUNNING THE SPEED LIMIT ABOUT 75MPH AND SUDDENLY IT JUST TURN OFF.MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I DIDN'T HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE .ME AND MY FAMILY WAS TERRIFYING ABOUT THE SITUATION WE WAS GOING THREW.BUT WE WAS LUCKY NOTHING HAPPEN TO US.ITS NOT THE FIRST TIME …
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AS I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 24 WITH A LOT OF TRAFFIC,I WAS RUNNING THE SPEED LIMIT ABOUT 75MPH AND SUDDENLY IT JUST TURN OFF.MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I DIDN'T HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE .ME AND MY FAMILY WAS TERRIFYING ABOUT THE SITUATION WE WAS GOING THREW.BUT WE WAS LUCKY NOTHING HAPPEN TO US.ITS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN IT DONE IT A FEW TIMES BEFORE.I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP BUT THEY SAY THAT ITS NOT SHOWING ANY CODES.
NHTSA ODI #10789701
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.