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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 →
1,050Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
156
2002110
200367
20041,050
2005837
2006561
2007328
2008
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
585Engine And Engine Cooling
290Fuel System, Gasoline
186Engine
144Electrical System
66
All reported categories
Fuel System, Other
61Unknown Or Other
40Fuel/propulsion System
31Vehicle Speed Control
31Air Bags
22Structure
14Equipment
10Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10Steering
9Suspension
9Service Brakes
7Visibility
7Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Tires
3Seat Belts
2Seats
2Wheels
2Equipment Adaptive/mobility
1Service Brakes, Electric
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
Clear category filter
140,000 miles · Jan 16, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY CAR EXCEEDING AS I WOULD PUSH THE GAS PETAL. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 140,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT MAY BE THE RADIATOR. I PURCHASED A NEW RADIATOR AND AS HE PUT IT IN HE SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE FLUIDS WERE MIXED. I PUT ALL NEW FLUIDS IN THE CAR…

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I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY CAR EXCEEDING AS I WOULD PUSH THE GAS PETAL. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 140,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT MAY BE THE RADIATOR. I PURCHASED A NEW RADIATOR AND AS HE PUT IT IN HE SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE FLUIDS WERE MIXED. I PUT ALL NEW FLUIDS IN THE CAR. STILL I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO EXCEED PAST 30 MPH. I PARKED THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE COST IN REPAIR. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION THAT WAS GONE IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11063013

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2018
Engine

MY ENGINE STOPS WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF 60 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK JUST LOOSES POWER, THE DASHBOARD TURNED OFF AND SPEED STARTED TO LOWER I PUSHED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULDN'T RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER, MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDN'T EVEN TURN ON. AS I WAS CALLING MY HUS…

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MY ENGINE STOPS WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF 60 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK JUST LOOSES POWER, THE DASHBOARD TURNED OFF AND SPEED STARTED TO LOWER I PUSHED ON THE GAS AND IT WOULDN'T RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER, MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS WOULDN'T EVEN TURN ON. AS I WAS CALLING MY HUSBAND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNED ON ON IT'S ON. IT WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. THERE WAS A RECALL THEY FIX BACK ON 2011 DEALING WITH THE ECM RELAY. I CALLED VIVA NISSAN ON ZARAGOZA LOCATED IN EL PASO, TX AND THE GIRL WOULDN'T HELP SHE TOLD ME TO CALL 1800NISSAN1.

NHTSA ODI #11058356

145,000 miles · Nov 1, 2017
Engine

TAKATA RECALL IM WRITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN REGARDS TO MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. ON 10/2/2017 MY VEHICLE GAVE ME SOME ISSUES OF NOT WANTING TO TURN ON. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND ALL GIVING ME THE SAME DIAGNOSIS AND ADVISING ME TO TAKE IT TO TOWN NORTH NISSAN IN AUSTIN TEXAS. THE SERVICE AGENT ([XXX]) ALSO GAVE M…

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TAKATA RECALL IM WRITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN REGARDS TO MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. ON 10/2/2017 MY VEHICLE GAVE ME SOME ISSUES OF NOT WANTING TO TURN ON. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND ALL GIVING ME THE SAME DIAGNOSIS AND ADVISING ME TO TAKE IT TO TOWN NORTH NISSAN IN AUSTIN TEXAS. THE SERVICE AGENT ([XXX]) ALSO GAVE ME THE SAME DIAGNOSIS (THE MODULE IPDM) NEEDED TO GET CHANGED. THEY GAVE ME A PRICE ON THE COST AND TOLD ME THE DATE MY TRUCK WOULD BE READY FOR PICK UP. MY TRUCK WAS IN THEIR SHOP SINCE 10/25/2017 AND THEY TOLD MY MY CAR WOULD BE READY 10/31/2017 AFTER 12:30 PM. SO I CALLED TO GET AN UPDATE SO I COULD PICK UP MY TRUCK. AFTER ALL THIS TIME ([XXX]) TOLD ME THAT MY TRUCK ACTUALLY NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE RADIATOR MIXED TOTALLY RUINING MY ENGINE. AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ($5,900) TO FIX IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS AND ARTICLE THAT SAYS THAT THE NCCC HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE I HAVE. I NEED SOME HELP ON HOW TO APPROACH NISSAN IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NISSAN REALLY KNEW ABOUT THEY HAVE TO BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF MY CAR. PLEASE HELP.... MY # [XXX] WEBSITE I GOT THE RECALL FROM : HTTPS://WWW.NCCONSUMER.ORG/NEWS-ARTICLES/RECALL-FOR-NISSAN-TRANSMISSION-FAILURE-NCCC-PETITIONS-FOR-RADIATOR-DEFECT-INVESTIGATION.HTML?GCLID=CJ0KCQJW4EXPBRCTARISADVOJY0QVVHEMTVWK-APD5AAGNODQA67JZEI9NLYMKNG8-WX2OHTWUA2X4MAAU97EALW_WCB INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11041984

14,556 miles · Oct 23, 2017
EnginePower Train

TRAQNSMITTION OIL IN COOLANT HAD TO HAVE SHOP FLUSH OUT RAIADIATOR AND COOLANT SYSTEM AND REPLACE OIL COOLER TRANSMITION SEEMS TO BE SLIPING

NHTSA ODI #11035832

103,000 miles · Sep 9, 2017
Engine

NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT CHOICE BUT I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION W FLUIDS MIXING THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD DO MANY ISSUES I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. ALL I WAT IS PEACE OF MIND KNOWING I WILL REACH MY DESTINATION SAFELY. I ASK THAT NISSAN TAKE RESPONSIBILTY AND RECALL THESE DEFECTI…

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NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT CHOICE BUT I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION W FLUIDS MIXING THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD DO MANY ISSUES I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. ALL I WAT IS PEACE OF MIND KNOWING I WILL REACH MY DESTINATION SAFELY. I ASK THAT NISSAN TAKE RESPONSIBILTY AND RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE RADIATORS

NHTSA ODI #11022465

130 miles · Jul 19, 2017
EngineUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AFTER IT STARTED TO SMOKE LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED IT OUT AND I WAS TOLD MY RAIDATOR BRUSTED IN MY TRANSMISSION. IT'S NOT DRIVE ABLE AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #11006463

92,377 miles · May 15, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER THE CONTACT PLACED FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED EMPTY THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER THE CONTACT PLACED FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED EMPTY THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,377. UPDATED 07/11/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ODI #10985739

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2017
Engine

ON 2-4-2017 MY TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM BEGAN MAKING A LOUD RADDLING NOISE

NHTSA ODI #10949781

140,000 miles · Jan 31, 2017
Engine

THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE DURING ACCELERATION @ APPRX. 2000 RPMS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD RECENTLY NOTICED SLUGGISH AND UNEVEN ACCELERATION. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INNER TIMING CHAIN AND TENSION GUIDE/SHOE, A WORN DRIVE BELT AND DRIVE BELT TENSIONER, AND A STU…

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THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE DURING ACCELERATION @ APPRX. 2000 RPMS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD RECENTLY NOTICED SLUGGISH AND UNEVEN ACCELERATION. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INNER TIMING CHAIN AND TENSION GUIDE/SHOE, A WORN DRIVE BELT AND DRIVE BELT TENSIONER, AND A STUCK FAN BELT CLUTCH. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS ALSO POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE INNER TIMING COVER. NISSAN IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSION GUIDE/SHOE. THE DEFECT COULD CAUSE THE TIMING CHAINS TO SLIP - WHICH WOULD LEAD TO IMMEDIATE ENGINE DAMAGE - AND CREATE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, THE FAULTY PART COULD CAUSE OTHER ENGINE ISSUES (LIKE THE ONES REPORTED).

NHTSA ODI #10948708

110,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING USELESS. CORRODED AND DESTROYED WHOLE INTERIOR OF TRANSMISSION .

NHTSA ODI #10928819

Official recalls

2

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.