IllustrationTHE RADIATOR IS CRACKED AND HAS LEAKED FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION. *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
Engine complaints
144 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000. *TR
HI I BROUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN DECEMBER 2012 FROM KINGS AUTO PORSCHE AND THE CAR FAX WAS CLEAR ON IT. I BROUGHT IT WITH 63K MILES ON IT AND I NOW HAVE 90K ON IT. I NEVER RECEIVED AND PAPERWORK SUCH AS ANY RECALLS CAMPAIGNS. ABOUT THE END OF MAY OR FIRST WEEK OF JUNE OF 2013 MY CAR STARTED TO DO A VIBRATION AND THEN AC…
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HI I BROUGHT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN DECEMBER 2012 FROM KINGS AUTO PORSCHE AND THE CAR FAX WAS CLEAR ON IT. I BROUGHT IT WITH 63K MILES ON IT AND I NOW HAVE 90K ON IT. I NEVER RECEIVED AND PAPERWORK SUCH AS ANY RECALLS CAMPAIGNS. ABOUT THE END OF MAY OR FIRST WEEK OF JUNE OF 2013 MY CAR STARTED TO DO A VIBRATION AND THEN ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL AND HIT REAL HARD INTO GEAR. IT WASN'T TILL JUNE 14, 2013 THAT IT PUT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD RUNNING HOT TO WHERE I PULLED OVER IN 80+ DEGREE WEATHER WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD SON AND MY 3 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR. I STARTED TO SEARCH THE INTERNET TO FIND A FEW RECALLS AND MANY UNHAPPY NISSAN CUSTOMERS AND FIND THAT NISSAN HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A MILKY SUBSTANCES. I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT ANY RECALL AND FIND OUT THAT MANY ARE VERY UPSET WITH NISSAN WHO ISN'T FIXING THIS ISSUE AFTER THEIR VEHICLES HIT 80K. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS ISSUES AND FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. PLEASE CONTACT ME ON MY ISSUES. AS I WILL BE GOING HIGHER UP AND TO THE MEDIA LIKE THE REST OF YOUR UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND LOOKING AT MY LETTER. *TR
FROM STOP TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE. CHECKED FLUID FOUND WATER IN TRANSMISSION FROM FAILED COOLING LINE THRU RADIATOR/ TRANS COOLING LINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 105,000. *TR
HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE NISSAN PUT OUT A RECALL FOR. AN ALARMING NUMBER OF NISSAN XTERRA, PATHFINDER AND FRONTIER OWNERS ARE STEPPING FORWARD WITH STORIES ABOUT THEIR CRACKED RADIATORS WHICH ARE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ONCE MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THIS LETHAL COMBINATION KILLS THE VAL…
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HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE NISSAN PUT OUT A RECALL FOR. AN ALARMING NUMBER OF NISSAN XTERRA, PATHFINDER AND FRONTIER OWNERS ARE STEPPING FORWARD WITH STORIES ABOUT THEIR CRACKED RADIATORS WHICH ARE CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. ONCE MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THIS LETHAL COMBINATION KILLS THE VALVES, SEALS AND TORQUE CONVERTER -- RENDERING YOUR ENTIRE TRANSMISSION USELESS. THIS ISSUE IS CURRENTLY CONTAINED TO THE 2005 - 2007 MODEL YEARS, BUT WE'RE KEEPING OUR EYES OPEN FOR REPORTS FROM OTHER YEARS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL, THE PATHFINDER BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE PATHFINDER WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER, IT WAS HESITATING AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP. I MADE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRAN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT 35 MPH ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL, THE PATHFINDER BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE PATHFINDER WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER, IT WAS HESITATING AND SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STOP. I MADE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5828. I AM UPSET AND COMPLETELY IN SHOCK WHEN HE TELLS NISSAN HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HOWEVER IT ONLY COVERS YOU UP TO 100,000 MILES. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND IF IT HAPPENED AT 100,000 I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICING. I PAID OVER 30,000 FOR THE PATHFINDER BRAND NEW AND AFTER EIGHT YEARS THIS IS WHAT I AM LEFT WITH, NO RECOURSE? *TR
LOST POWER, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS RADIATOR COOLANT WAS LEAKING IN THE SYSTEM. AFTER TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AFTER AT APPROXIMATELY 27,000 MILES SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING AREA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND SMOKE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING AREA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND SMOKE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE RADIATOR FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,525.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40-45 M/H AND THE CAR STOP ACCELERATING, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAY IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION($7,000.00) SO I LOOK IT UP IN THE INTERNET AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
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.