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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

What owners actually said

1,050 reports
97,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Power Train

MY CAR STARTED SHUTTERING WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND IT GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION THEREFORE I NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WHICH COVERS THE TRANSMISSION BUT…

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MY CAR STARTED SHUTTERING WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND IT GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION THEREFORE I NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WHICH COVERS THE TRANSMISSION BUT NOT THE RADIATOR AND BECAUSE THE RADIATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION GOING BAD THE WARRANTY WON'T PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION EITHER. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF. IF THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WHY WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I AM DISGUSTED WITH THE ENTIRE MATTER AND THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SO PEOPLE DON'T CONTINUE TO GET RIPPED OFF. I AM HOPING THEY COME THROUGH AND REPLACE MINE FOR FREE.

NHTSA ODI #10725956

115,000 miles · Jun 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSIAN PATHFINDER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SMOKING AND I HAD A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. IT WAS A TANNISH COLOR AND MILKY LOOKING. WHEN TOWED TO NISSIAN THE SERVICE MANAGER VERIFIED IT WAS THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.

NHTSA ODI #10725423

124,000 miles · May 24, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION FAILURE BECAUSE OF RADIATOR BLOWING OUT AND LETTING ANTIFREEZE MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID

NHTSA ODI #10721248

172,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Engine

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE UNDER THROTTLE BUT WAS NOT INITIALLY IDENTIFIED AS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. IT WAS ASSUMED TO BE A BELT OR BELT PULLEY. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE NOISE STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN DEVELOPED A PROBLEM AND LOUD RATTLING NOISES COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND WAS A SLOPPY R…

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THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE UNDER THROTTLE BUT WAS NOT INITIALLY IDENTIFIED AS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. IT WAS ASSUMED TO BE A BELT OR BELT PULLEY. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE NOISE STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN DEVELOPED A PROBLEM AND LOUD RATTLING NOISES COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND WAS A SLOPPY RATTLE CONSISTENT WITH A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER OR GUIDE BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #10717677

140,000 miles · May 21, 2015
EnginePower Train

I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS MANY OTHERS. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING HARD SHIFTS, AND SHUTTERING WHILE ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ODI #10717662

90,000 miles · May 20, 2015
Air BagsEngineWheelsCrashInjury

A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECE…

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A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECEIVING CARE.....UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF UPDATED 9/17/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10717555

100,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Air BagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ALONG WITH THE JERKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10716438

90,000 miles · May 13, 2015
EnginePower Train

VEHICLE CONTAINED A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES. WHEN THE COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID IT CREATES A FROTHY LIQUID THAT EATS VALVES, ERODES SEALS AND CAUSES CORROSION. ITS TOXIC, IRREVERSIBLE AND KILLED THE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. …

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VEHICLE CONTAINED A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES. WHEN THE COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID IT CREATES A FROTHY LIQUID THAT EATS VALVES, ERODES SEALS AND CAUSES CORROSION. ITS TOXIC, IRREVERSIBLE AND KILLED THE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM WAS LISTED AS THE 2ND WORST PROBLEM ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM'S "TOP VEHICLE PROBLEM TRENDS OF 2012". WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?!

NHTSA ODI #10716273

113,529 miles · May 2, 2015
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION COOLER ATTACHED TO RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION LEADING TO FAILURE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WHEN NEEDED AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714152

124,000 miles · May 2, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714146

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.