Illustration2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER STATES SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE STATES THAT IT IS HARD TO START, PAINT IS PEELING, OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BRAKING TO MAKE A TURN AND A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE MOTOR. *KB
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reports2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS REPORTEDLY HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING RUST AND SUBSEQUENTLY, A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS REPORTED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION CAN BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $5000-$8000 BUT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM - WILL HAVE TO BE DONE …
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS REPORTEDLY HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING RUST AND SUBSEQUENTLY, A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS REPORTED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION CAN BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $5000-$8000 BUT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM - WILL HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 40-60 MILES PER HOUR AND LOSES ACCELERATION. DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND INJURY. NISSAN IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM AND WON'T RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BUT OF COURSE THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE AT 100,000 MILES OR 5-6 YEARS. *LN
TIMING CHAIN AND FUEL SENDING UNIT ON 2005 PATHFINDER IS DEFECTIVE. WHILE THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZES THIS AS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, THEY ARE ONLY WILLING TO COVER THOSE VEHICLES UP TO 72,000 MILES. A CLAIM WAS FILED AND REJECTED ON BOTH PROBLEMS AS MY VEHICLE HAS 82,000 MILES. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 SE OFF ROAD WITH 115,000 MILES . BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE BUT BEGINNING TO HAVE PROBLEMS THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY WHEN FULL , ALSO HAVING HESITATION ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR .I READ ABOUT THE HORROR STORY WITH RADIATOR PROBLEM CAUSING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM . I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT A NISSAN DEA…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 SE OFF ROAD WITH 115,000 MILES . BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE BUT BEGINNING TO HAVE PROBLEMS THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY WHEN FULL , ALSO HAVING HESITATION ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR .I READ ABOUT THE HORROR STORY WITH RADIATOR PROBLEM CAUSING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM . I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT A NISSAN DEALER THIS WEEKEND FOR THE RECALL ON THE ECM SO I WILL HAVE FURTHER INFO ON THE HESITATION , NISSAN RECALLED THE FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM BUT LIMITED TO 72,000 MILES VEHICLE ONLY ,I THINK THEY SHOULD UP HOLD THE NISSAN REP AND TAKE CARE OF THESE PROBLEMS ALSO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS . THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR . *TR
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT 3 NISSAN 2005 PATHFINDER RECALLS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ANNOUNCED WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS BUT I DON'T QUALIFY FOR 2 OF THEM BECAUSE OF THE YEAR/MILEAGE CAP. SO PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY USE THEIR VEHICLES ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE EVEN THOUGH A DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED. MY WIFE AND I HAVE OWNED 6 DIFFERENT…
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I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT 3 NISSAN 2005 PATHFINDER RECALLS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ANNOUNCED WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS BUT I DON'T QUALIFY FOR 2 OF THEM BECAUSE OF THE YEAR/MILEAGE CAP. SO PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY USE THEIR VEHICLES ARE AT A DISADVANTAGE EVEN THOUGH A DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED. MY WIFE AND I HAVE OWNED 6 DIFFERENT NISSANS (PATHFINDER, SENTRA, ULTIMA, MURANO) SINCE 1998 AND DISAPPOINTED WITH THE HANDLING OF THE YEAR/MILEAGE CAP ON THE PATHFINDER RECALLS. THIS MAKES US SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR OUR NEXT VEHICLES. *LN
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT WAS TOLD THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE RADIATOR FAILING. THE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TH…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT WAS TOLD THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE RADIATOR FAILING. THE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN. THIS FLOODED THE COOLANT SYSTEM WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH THEN CIRCULATED THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE COOLANT/WATER MIX ALSO LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION…
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THE INITIAL PROBLEM WAS THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN. THIS FLOODED THE COOLANT SYSTEM WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH THEN CIRCULATED THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE COOLANT/WATER MIX ALSO LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN - REPLACE RADIATOR, ALL HOSES, AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED STALLING LAST WEEK. I WOULD BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD JUST GO DEAD MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHOM INFORMED ME IT WAS AN IPDM ISSUE WHICH WAS IN THE PROCESS OF A RECALL.I INFORMED THEM I WAS STRAPPED FOR MONEY BEING IT…
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MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED STALLING LAST WEEK. I WOULD BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD JUST GO DEAD MAKING IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHOM INFORMED ME IT WAS AN IPDM ISSUE WHICH WAS IN THE PROCESS OF A RECALL.I INFORMED THEM I WAS STRAPPED FOR MONEY BEING IT WAS A 700 DOLLAR JOB. THEY SAID CHANCES WERE IT WOULD BE COVERED. IT WAS NOT COVERED! I WAS INFORMED BY THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIR PEOPLE IF THERE WAS INFACT A RECALL I MAY BE NOTIFIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE FOUND ON NUMEROUS SITES THAT IT IS RECALLED BUT BECAUSE I DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE I'VE HAD WITH NISSAN. A FUEL SENSOR ISSUE WAS FOUND AND THEY COVERED NOTHING TELLING ME IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO TOUGH LUCK. ANOTHER 377.00 BUCKS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE NISSANS PRACTICES. I WILL NEVER TRUST THE NISSAN NAME AGAIN. *TR
I BROUGHT CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND ASKED FOR THE TRANNY TO FLUSHED THEY SAID THE RADIATOR HAD A LEAK AND THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM FOR $1,000 BUT DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD HELP. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FOR 8-10K. I…
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I BROUGHT CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND ASKED FOR THE TRANNY TO FLUSHED THEY SAID THE RADIATOR HAD A LEAK AND THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM FOR $1,000 BUT DIDN'T THINK THAT WOULD HELP. THE DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FOR 8-10K. I ENDED UP TAKING A LOSS AND TRADING IN THE CAR COULDN'T SEE PUTTING THAT KIND OF MONEY INTO A 5 YEAR OLD CAR. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE VERY DISAPPOINTING NISSAN DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND HAS FAULTY FUEL GAGE AND SENDING UNIT
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.