IllustrationTIMING BELT TENSIONER GUIDES WORN OUT - MUST BE REPLACED. COST OF 1700.00 DOLLARS FROM NISSAN. PERHAPS NISSAN CAN DO IT FOR FREE SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY 2005 PATHFINDER (4 LITER ENGINE). *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 And Engine Cooling complaints
290 reportsCOURTESY COPY OF A LETTER FROM CONSUMERS WRITTEN TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA RE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WHISTLE UP SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE TIRES WERE F…
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COURTESY COPY OF A LETTER FROM CONSUMERS WRITTEN TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA RE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WHISTLE UP SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE TIRES WERE FEATHERED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, THE DOOR PANELS CREAKED, THE BRAKES MADE A CLICKING NOISE, THE DRIVE BELTS WERE REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF A NOISE THE CONSUMER HEARD, THE PLASTIC FINISHER ON THE RUNNING BOARDS KEPT POPPING OFF, THE STRUT ON THE REAR HATCH LEAKED DUE TO A POOR SEAL, THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKED, THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE DEALER STATED IT FAILED DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE. THE REAR SHOCKS LEAKED, THE FRONT PINION SEAL AND OIL PINION SEAL WERE REPLACED AND THE REAR HATCH WINDOW LEAKED. *JB UPDATED 04/06/10.*JB
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. FUEL GAUGE READS ZERO, HALF TANK OR SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT UNLESS THE FUEL GAUGE STARTS READING CORRECTLY (WHICH IT SOMETIMES DOES). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NISSAN HAS EVEN COME OUT WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A THAT ADDRESSES TH…
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. FUEL GAUGE READS ZERO, HALF TANK OR SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT UNLESS THE FUEL GAUGE STARTS READING CORRECTLY (WHICH IT SOMETIMES DOES). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NISSAN HAS EVEN COME OUT WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A THAT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, AND THE REPAIR BILL FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS OUT OF WARRANTY IS BETWEEN $400 AND $600. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IF PEOPLE ARE RUNNING OUT OF GAS DUE TO INCORRECT OR NON-EXISTENT FUEL LEVEL READINGS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. DUE TO FAILURES, THE CONTACT HAS ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED ON MAY 21, 2008. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD BYPASS THE ENGINE AND SHUT OFF THE LIGHT. ON TWO OCCASIONS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. DUE TO FAILURES, THE CONTACT HAS ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED ON MAY 21, 2008. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD BYPASS THE ENGINE AND SHUT OFF THE LIGHT. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE IT WAS TOO HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH THE ORIGINAL STEREO SYSTEM, BUT, WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING, THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A DEMO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SENSORS WERE FAILING AND A FUEL PUMP WAS NEEDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,655. UPDATED 07/10/08.*LJ UPATED 07/08/08
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DIAL IN THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES LATER, THE DIAL INCREASED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE FUEL WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT DIMMED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STAT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DIAL IN THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES LATER, THE DIAL INCREASED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE FUEL WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT DIMMED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE FUEL CAP AND REPLACED IT HIMSELF. MOMENTS LATER, HE RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AS WELL. HE DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REPAIR COST EXCEEDED $600. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.
THERE IS AN EXHAUST SYSTEM NOISE WHEN A PERSON SITS IN THE REAR SEAT. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE THE FAULTY EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS SHIFTED TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR CAUSING THE NOISE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-50 MPH, THE ENGINE LOSES POWER BUT DOES NOT SHUT OFF. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE AND THE SPEED SENSOR, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-50 MPH, THE ENGINE LOSES POWER BUT DOES NOT SHUT OFF. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE AND THE SPEED SENSOR, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 19,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,600.
I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 PATHFINDER. THERE IS AN ANNOYING LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD BELT TENSIONER AND WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 1500 MILES. THE SECOND TIME WAS A BAD BELT AT ABOUT 4500 MILES. I JUST HA…
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I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 PATHFINDER. THERE IS AN ANNOYING LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD BELT TENSIONER AND WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 1500 MILES. THE SECOND TIME WAS A BAD BELT AT ABOUT 4500 MILES. I JUST HAD MY 30,000 MILE SERVICE AND THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FINE NOW THE NOISE IS BACK LOUDER THEN EVER.*AK
2005 PATHFINDER HAD PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATIONS/PINGING NOISE. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN WET CONDITION ROAD CONDITIONS. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, AND WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD IT HAPPENED TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. UNTIL THEY COULD DO SO THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC
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.