IllustrationMY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WENT OUT ON A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN XTERRAS, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS. THIS LEADS TO INCORRECT FUEL GAUGE READINGS AND 'DISTANCE TO END' READING. *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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
186 reportsFUEL SENDING UNIT WENT OUT IT MY 2005 PATHFINDER. AFTER READING FORUMS AND OTHER INTERNET SITES. I AM FINDING THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH NISSAN XTERRA'S AND PATHFINDERS FROM 2005 TO 2007. GOT A QUOTE FROM A COUPLE SHOPS AND ITS GOING TO COST ME ANYWHERE FROM $350 TO $450 TO REPLACE. *TR
MY FUEL GAGE IS NOT WORKING AND IT IS ESTIMATED TO ME THAT IT WILL COST $600 TO GET IT FIXED AND THE REAL BUMMER OF IT IS THAT I CANNOT GET MY NEW TAG REGISTRATION WHILE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CAN KEEP UP WITH THE MILEAGE BUT IT IS A REAL PAIN IN THE NECK. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT HAVE PATHFINDERS AND ARMADA THAT HAV…
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MY FUEL GAGE IS NOT WORKING AND IT IS ESTIMATED TO ME THAT IT WILL COST $600 TO GET IT FIXED AND THE REAL BUMMER OF IT IS THAT I CANNOT GET MY NEW TAG REGISTRATION WHILE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I CAN KEEP UP WITH THE MILEAGE BUT IT IS A REAL PAIN IN THE NECK. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT HAVE PATHFINDERS AND ARMADA THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES BUT THEIR WAS PAID FOR WITH THEIR WARRANTY. SINCE I DRIVE SO MUCH FOR WORK MINE IS NOT COVERED. ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAS HAD TO BRING THEIR IN 5 DIFFERENT TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED IF THEY ARE HAVING SO MANY ISSUES WITH IT. IT WILL CAUSE DEATHS IF I RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. SINCE JANUARY OF 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. SINCE JANUARY OF 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
FOR A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE WITH 41,000 MILES. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM IS A FAILED FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. …
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FOR A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE WITH 41,000 MILES. "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALER INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM IS A FAILED FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600. REFERENCE NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-69A. RECOMMEND CONSUMER-INITIATED RECALL OF FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. *TR
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 28,500 MILES ON MY 2005 PATHFINDER. SOON AFTER I NOTICED MY FUEL LIGHT CAME ON WITH MY FUEL GAUGE SHOWING EMPTY. I JUST FILLED IT WITH GAS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I THOUGHT SOMEONE STOLE MY GAS AND WAS GOING TO CALL THE POLICE. I TRIED PUTTING MORE GAS, BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY FULL. MY BOYFRIEND D…
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SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 28,500 MILES ON MY 2005 PATHFINDER. SOON AFTER I NOTICED MY FUEL LIGHT CAME ON WITH MY FUEL GAUGE SHOWING EMPTY. I JUST FILLED IT WITH GAS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I THOUGHT SOMEONE STOLE MY GAS AND WAS GOING TO CALL THE POLICE. I TRIED PUTTING MORE GAS, BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY FULL. MY BOYFRIEND DROVE IT UP AND DOWN HILLS AND AFTER MAKING SOME SHARP TURNS, THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO GO UP AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE WENT TO THE HALF WAY POINT TODAY, ONCE AGAIN, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY AGAIN! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD THAT TRAVELS WITH ME. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE! WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR EVEN DIES! *TR
MY 2005 PATHFINDER'S FUEL GAUGE WAS WORKING CORRECTLY UNTIL ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I HAD ABOUT A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AND FILLED UP. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE GAS GAUGE SAID THE TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED $600 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AND SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I'VE RESEA…
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MY 2005 PATHFINDER'S FUEL GAUGE WAS WORKING CORRECTLY UNTIL ABOUT 60,000 MILES. I HAD ABOUT A QUARTER TANK OF GAS AND FILLED UP. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE GAS GAUGE SAID THE TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED $600 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AND SAID IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE COMMON. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. *TR
FILLED UP MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER (6CYL) AND NOTICED THAT THE GAUGE WAS READING "EMPTY". MINUTES LATER MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE GAS CAP, SO I MADE SURE IT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. THIS MIS-READING LASTED FOR 2 DAYS, THEN CORRECTED ITSELF. THIS HAS OCCURRED 2XS AND IS A DANGEROUS SI…
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FILLED UP MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER (6CYL) AND NOTICED THAT THE GAUGE WAS READING "EMPTY". MINUTES LATER MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE GAS CAP, SO I MADE SURE IT WAS INSTALLED CORRECTLY. THIS MIS-READING LASTED FOR 2 DAYS, THEN CORRECTED ITSELF. THIS HAS OCCURRED 2XS AND IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. NISSAN HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT FROM WANT I AM READING, THEY REFUSE TO. WHAT A SHAME. *TR
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR STOPPED WORKING ON 2005 PATHFINDER AFTER NORMAL FILLUP. GAS GAUGE NO MARKS TOTAL EMPTY AFTER FILL UP AND WILL ACT ERRATIC AT TIMES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING ON PATHFINDERS OF THE SAME AND MORE RECENT YEARS. NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR FREE WHICH COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZ…
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FUEL LEVEL SENSOR STOPPED WORKING ON 2005 PATHFINDER AFTER NORMAL FILLUP. GAS GAUGE NO MARKS TOTAL EMPTY AFTER FILL UP AND WILL ACT ERRATIC AT TIMES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING ON PATHFINDERS OF THE SAME AND MORE RECENT YEARS. NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR FREE WHICH COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD IF CAR SUDDENLY RUNS OUT OF GAS. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 PATHFINDER THAT RECENTLY HAD THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, GAUGE STOP WORKING AS WELL. I'VE REPLACED THE GAS CAP WITH NO SUCCESS. I'VE RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND REALIZED THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. I HAVE ABOUT 56,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. *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.