Illustration2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LEAKS COOLANT FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSE GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEMS. REPAIR IS $6000 FOR RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *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
What owners actually said
1,050 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY STOPPED ACCELERATING FOR A FEW SECONDS. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY STOPPED ACCELERATING FOR A FEW SECONDS. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID THE AUTHORIZED DEALER NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR FLUID WERE MIXING. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE FLUIDS WERE FLUSHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS REPORTEDLY HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING RUST AND SUBSEQUENTLY, A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS REPORTED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION CAN BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $5000-$8000 BUT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM - WILL HAVE TO BE DONE …
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2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS REPORTEDLY HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING RUST AND SUBSEQUENTLY, A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS REPORTED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION CAN BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $5000-$8000 BUT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM - WILL HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 40-60 MILES PER HOUR AND LOSES ACCELERATION. DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND INJURY. NISSAN IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM AND WON'T RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BUT OF COURSE THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE AT 100,000 MILES OR 5-6 YEARS. *LN
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.
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
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON THE LIE MY CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE I HAD MY SONS IN THE CAR. CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE MOVING ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT IS MY FUSE PANEL, THIS WAS IN DECEMBER 2010. I HAD THE FUSE PANEL REPLACED WITH AN …
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WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON THE LIE MY CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHILE I HAD MY SONS IN THE CAR. CAR COMPLETELY DIED WHILE MOVING ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT IS MY FUSE PANEL, THIS WAS IN DECEMBER 2010. I HAD THE FUSE PANEL REPLACED WITH AN ORIGINAL PART AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN JAN. 2011 WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY ON THE ROAD. *TR
NISSAN PATHFINDER COOLER/RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ARE FAULTY AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO WARRANTY EVERY COOLER, ONLY A PERCENTAGE OF THEM. NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR VEHICLES UP TO 80,000 MILES OR 96 MONTHS. NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL ALL COOLER AND COVER THE EXPENSES FOR THE ONES THAT HAVE HAD TO…
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NISSAN PATHFINDER COOLER/RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION ARE FAULTY AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO WARRANTY EVERY COOLER, ONLY A PERCENTAGE OF THEM. NISSAN HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR VEHICLES UP TO 80,000 MILES OR 96 MONTHS. NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL ALL COOLER AND COVER THE EXPENSES FOR THE ONES THAT HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT FIXED. MAKE NISSAN WARRANTY EVERY FAULTY COOLER. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED MORE THAN 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED MORE THAN 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
REAR HATCH HYDRAULICS NOT STAYING UP ALL THE WAY. HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING WELL FOR SOME TIME AND NOW THE COLD WEATHER IS CAUSING THEM TO NOT HOLD OPEN REAR HATCH AT ALL. HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO HAVING PARTS REPLACED YET. *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.