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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 →

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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86,000 miles · May 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FAULTY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GASOLINE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A FUEL SENSOR HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT H…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS FAULTY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH GASOLINE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A FUEL SENSOR HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED BY ANY RECALLS. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10402216

50,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO THE HOSPITAL ONE DAY AND THE GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY WENT TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. EVERY TIME I FILL UP NOW THE GAS GAUGE STAYS AT EMPTY UNTIL 3/4 TANK AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON. IT'S THE FUEL SENSOR THAT HAS GONE BAD AND IT WILL COST ME 600.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I C…

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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO THE HOSPITAL ONE DAY AND THE GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY WENT TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. EVERY TIME I FILL UP NOW THE GAS GAUGE STAYS AT EMPTY UNTIL 3/4 TANK AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON. IT'S THE FUEL SENSOR THAT HAS GONE BAD AND IT WILL COST ME 600.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T REGISTER MY CAR BECAUSE I CAN'T GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399928

110,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL SENDING UNIT FIRST NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THEN WOULD GO OUT, STARTED GETTING WORSE, FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER CORRECT FUEL LEVEL, THE MILES TILL EMPTY WILL NOT WORK. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF FUEL . HAVE TALKED TO DEALER THEY SAID THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDS REPLACE…

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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL SENDING UNIT FIRST NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THEN WOULD GO OUT, STARTED GETTING WORSE, FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER CORRECT FUEL LEVEL, THE MILES TILL EMPTY WILL NOT WORK. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF FUEL . HAVE TALKED TO DEALER THEY SAID THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDS REPLACED, THERE ARE NUMEROUS PATHFINDERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT WILL HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397391

70,000 miles · Apr 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

20005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SES LIGHT COMES ON AND FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW CORRECT AMOUNT AFTER REFUELING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL 2005 CARS AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY RECALL TO ENSURE NO ONE OVER FILLS AND SPILLS GAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395512

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A ECM RELAY, SENSOR AND FUEL STANDING UNIT. CONSUMER STATES THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE OR MALFUNCTIONING UNIT *TGW

NHTSA ODI #10383530

125,000 miles · Jan 29, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY FULL. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON WHEN IT IS RESET AND SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE. THE INDICATOR REGISTERING EMPTY PUTS THE DRIVER AT RISK FOR ACCIDENT AND DEATH. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10379549

76,000 miles · Jan 25, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 78000 MILES. I PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW. THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR STOPPED WORKING AROUND 76000 MILES. I GET A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND MY ELECTRONIC FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER THAT I HAVE ANY FUEL. NISSAN RECENTLY SENT OUT A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM UP TO 75000 MILES, BUT WHAT AB…

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 78000 MILES. I PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW. THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR STOPPED WORKING AROUND 76000 MILES. I GET A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND MY ELECTRONIC FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER THAT I HAVE ANY FUEL. NISSAN RECENTLY SENT OUT A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM UP TO 75000 MILES, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US WHO DID NOT START HAVING THIS PROBLEM UNTIL LATER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378694

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM NISSAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2010 STATING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MAY CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO INACCURATELY DISPLAY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, WHICH IT DID, BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO HONOR, THEY TOLD MY THAT I HAD TO CALL CORPORATE, CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY GAVE ME A FILE NUMBER …

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I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM NISSAN ON NOVEMBER 23, 2010 STATING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MAY CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO INACCURATELY DISPLAY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, WHICH IT DID, BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO HONOR, THEY TOLD MY THAT I HAD TO CALL CORPORATE, CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY GAVE ME A FILE NUMBER AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT IN WARRANTY FOR THIS RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW AND NOW THEY WILL NOT HONOR THERE OWN RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10377612

82,000 miles · Jan 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #10376790

115,000 miles · Jan 13, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10376511

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.