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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

186 reports
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60,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER YEAR MODELS, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX MY 2005. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS 3 TIMES, ONCE WITH MY GRANDMOTHER, MY 2 YR. OLD DAUGHTER AND MY 2 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE BRAKES HAVE ALSO GO…

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THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECALLED ON SEVERAL OTHER YEAR MODELS, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX MY 2005. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS 3 TIMES, ONCE WITH MY GRANDMOTHER, MY 2 YR. OLD DAUGHTER AND MY 2 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE BRAKES HAVE ALSO GONE OUT TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327927

79,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE SENSOR QUIT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327911

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL SENSOR DEFECTIVE. NISSAN DON'T WANT TO RECALL ANY CAR THAT 2005 N EARLIER. I NEVER SEE ANY OTHER CAR THAT FUEL SENSOR GO BAD WHEN IT REACH 40,000 MILES. I HAVE TO KEEP MY GAS MORE THAN HALF EVERYTIME CAUSE OF THAT PROBLEM. I'M NOT THE ONLY 1 WHO OWN A 2005 PATHFINDER COMPLAIN ABOUT THESE PROBLEM…

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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL SENSOR DEFECTIVE. NISSAN DON'T WANT TO RECALL ANY CAR THAT 2005 N EARLIER. I NEVER SEE ANY OTHER CAR THAT FUEL SENSOR GO BAD WHEN IT REACH 40,000 MILES. I HAVE TO KEEP MY GAS MORE THAN HALF EVERYTIME CAUSE OF THAT PROBLEM. I'M NOT THE ONLY 1 WHO OWN A 2005 PATHFINDER COMPLAIN ABOUT THESE PROBLEM. IF I HAVE A CHANCE I WOULDN'T BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327835

46,000 miles · Apr 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AND FUEL LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL. CALLED NISSAN TOLD ME THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG NISSAN SUV'S BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY PERSONAL VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD JUST TO WATCH MY MILEAGE S…

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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS. THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AND FUEL LIGHT IS ON EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL. CALLED NISSAN TOLD ME THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG NISSAN SUV'S BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY PERSONAL VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD JUST TO WATCH MY MILEAGE SO AS TO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS OR REPAIR THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR @ AN ESTIMATED COST OF $600. IF THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WHY CAN'T THE CONSUMER GET ANY HELP? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327552

92,250 miles · Apr 25, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN MY 2005 PATHFINDER'S FUEL GAUGE IS AT HALF A TANK, THE DTE SAYS ----. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE 2006 PATHFINDER WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME MODEL AS THE 2005. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY NISSAN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327355

90,000 miles · Apr 23, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR BEGAN READING SEVERAL VARIOUS INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR BEGAN READING SEVERAL VARIOUS INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10327123

65,000 miles · Apr 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR READING FUEL LEVELS AT EMPTY AFTER SHE HAD FILLED THE FUEL TANK MOMENTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR READING FUEL LEVELS AT EMPTY AFTER SHE HAD FILLED THE FUEL TANK MOMENTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10325818

70,000 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

NOTICED A FUEL GAUGE DOWN TO EMPTY AFTER GAS WAS FILLED UP. SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. IT READS HALF OR EMPTY NEVER IN BETWEEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT ITS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SEND UNIT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT …

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NOTICED A FUEL GAUGE DOWN TO EMPTY AFTER GAS WAS FILLED UP. SINCE THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME. IT READS HALF OR EMPTY NEVER IN BETWEEN NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT ITS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SEND UNIT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT AS OF YET. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH THE SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT 2005 HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325586

89,582 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE GAS GAUGE REGISTERED A HALF TANK OF GAS. THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325268

49,717 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

1.GAS GAUGE WAS READING PAST EMPTY SO ON MY WAY TO DROP MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL STOPPED AND FUELED UP. PREPARED TO FILL UP THE TANK SINCE THE READING WAS PAST EMPTY BUT THE TANK WOULD ONLY HOLD ABOUT 2.7 GALLONS. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THE OPPOSITE; THE GAUGE WAS READING 3/4 TANK FULL BUT OBVIOUSLY THE …

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1.GAS GAUGE WAS READING PAST EMPTY SO ON MY WAY TO DROP MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL STOPPED AND FUELED UP. PREPARED TO FILL UP THE TANK SINCE THE READING WAS PAST EMPTY BUT THE TANK WOULD ONLY HOLD ABOUT 2.7 GALLONS. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THE OPPOSITE; THE GAUGE WAS READING 3/4 TANK FULL BUT OBVIOUSLY THE READING WAS WRONG BECAUSE MY WIFE RAN OUT OF GAS AND WAS STRANDED. 2. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE; THE FUEL GAUGE HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE FEB 2010 3. TOOK THE TRUCK INTO NISSAN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL REPORT ON THE 2005 PATHFINDER'S FUEL GAUGE BUT THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER MODELS. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND $500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10323870

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.