2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,050 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 14 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 12 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingOct 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.
THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10V517000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 20, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10E019000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalDec 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 08V690000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentJul 3, 2007
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.
THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.
HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.
Campaign 07E046000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
66 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Apr 28, 2010
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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Mar 30, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AROUND 50000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE QUITE WORKING PROPERLY AND CONTINUES TO SHOW BOTH ACCURATE AND ERRONEOUS INDICATIONS. I WILL INDICATED PROPERLY AT TIMES AND INDICATED IMPROPERLY AT TIMES. ALSO THE DISTANCE TO EMPTY CALCULATOR HAS QUITE WORKING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE PATHFINDERS, NISSAN RECENTLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE 2006 AND 2007 NISSANS FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY FAILED TO INCLUDE THE 2005 PATHFINDERS WHICH HAVE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. I HAVE RUN OUT OF FUEL TWICE DUE TO INCORRECT FUEL INDICATIONS. FORTUNATELY THEY WERE BOTH NEAR HOME ON UNBUSY STREETS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD SON AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE AND UNSAFE VEHICLE. HEAVEN FORBID I RUN OUT OF GAS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO SHOULDERS. NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE AND YET NEGLECTED TO INCLUDE 2005 PATHFINDERS IN THEIR RECALL. THEY CONTINUE TO DENY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THEIR CARS. THE FIX FOR THIS COST NEARLY $500. IN MY CASE IT CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH IN TURN MEANS MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. ALL BECAUSE OF A FUEL LEVEL SENDIGN UNIT THAT WAS EITHER ENGINEERED IMPROPERLY, MANUFACTURED IMPORPERLY OR INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. WHY IS IT THAT THE EXACT SAME TYPE OF VEHICLES HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ALL AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. I HIGHLY DOUBT IT IS COINSIDENCE. IN FACT, NISSAN RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS A ISSUE WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS, YET SOMEHOW THE 2005 PATHFINDERS DON'T FIT INTO THE RECALL. YOU WOULD THINK WITH THE RECENT ISSUES WITH TOYOTA THAT NISSAN WOULD BE MORE WILLING TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR PASSENGERS.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 11, 2010
ENGINE SHUTOFF WITHOUT WARNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009, I STARTED TO HAVE SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWNS IN MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT COULD OCCUR ANYTIME AND WAS COMPLETELY UNPREDICTABLE. THE MOST DANGEROUS TIMES WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SUGGESTED A NUMBER OF POSSIBILITIES AND CHECKED VARIOUS ITEMS WITHOUT SUCCESS. I WROTE THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT (NOV 17, 2009) AND EXPLAINED MY SITUATION AND THE DANGER AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THE PROBLEM TO BE A COMPUTER DEVICE CALLED THE "INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE" OR IPDM. AT THE TIME OF MY PROBLEM THIS DEVICE WAS ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND FOR THEM. I PAID TO HAVE MY IPDM REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING, SINCE THE DEVICE WAS REPLACED, I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SHUTOFF AND MY VEHICLE RUNS FINE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT NISSAN IS NOT APPEAR OF THE PROBLEM SINCE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN ABOUT 2005. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Feb 9, 2010
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE ENTIRE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN IT HAS 1/4 TANK OF GAS. MINE CUT OF WHILE GOING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER & THEY SAID IT WAS THE IDP CHIP. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SEVERAL PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. THE CAR CUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PART COULD TAKE UP TO 1 MONTH TO GET IN! WHEN THEY FINALLY GOT THE PART IT COST ME OVER $400 TO PUT IN ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 5, 2010
OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 64,000 RIGHT NOW.. WHICH IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR COUPLE OF MONTHS.. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER AND ALSO PRIVATE MECHANICS... NOBODY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR UNTIL IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON ME. WOULDN'T START HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC HE SAID THE CAR HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS HAD THE WHOLE FUSE BOX REPLACED PAID $450 TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER NOTHING WRONG WAS FOUND WENT BACK HOME.. RIGHT NOW MY CAR IS AT A PRIVATE MECHANIC... BECAUSE WOULDN'T GO MORE THAN 40 MPH.... THE MECHANIC SAID IS THE RADIATOR WHICH IS BROKEN AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKED IN THE TRANSMISSION PLEASE HELP.... I SEE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THESE VEHICLES ARE DEFECTIVE JUST TO GET IT FIXED IS CLOSE TO $10,000. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2010
NISSAN PATHFINDERS 2005-2009, ARE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE IPDM, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. I AM NOT SURE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY INJURIES FROM THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE POTENTIAL IS THERE, IF THE DRIVER IS TRYING TO MERGE INTO HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC AND THIS HAPPENS, AN ACCIDENT IS SURE TO HAPPEN. I HAD THIS PROBLEM, AS I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR A SOLUTION THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE PROBLEM, WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THE POST I FOUND MY SOLUTION ON STATES THAT NISSAN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2009
THE IPDM/ER (FUSE AND RELAY BOX) FAILED ON OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. THE CAR JUST SHUTDOWN, ALL ELECTRICAL FAILED. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, IT TURNS OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING WITH TITAN NISSAN TRUCKS. THE CAR SHUTTING OFF RANDOMLY CAN BE DEADLY! IT'S ONE OF THE MOST SCARIEST THINGS TO HAPPEN WITH YOUR KIDS IN THE CAR. THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER FOR THIS PART FROM NISSAN WHICH PROVES THAT THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC PROBLEM AND NISSAN SHOULD MAKES THIS A NATIONAL RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP DEAD! *TR
Electrical system, Oct 28, 2009
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS A BAD IPDM (PART# 284B7-ZC00A) WHICH MAKES THE TRUCK RANDOMLY SHUT DOWN. MINE SHUT DOWN IN AN INTERSECTION AND I WAS ALMOST T-BONED. DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN, AND LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, THE PROBLEM IS RAMPANT. THANK GOD IT DIDN'T FAIL WHEN I HAD MY FAMILY BACK COUNTY LEAVING US STRANDED. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS, THEY ARE REDESIGNING THE PART (SO I AM TOLD) - THEY SHOULD RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 15, 2009
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING,LOSING POWER, AND WON'T RESTART UNTIL MINUTES LATER. THIS PROBLEM RECURS,INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE DAY. TOOK CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER. DEALER WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE MALFUNCTION WHILE CAR WAS ON THE SELF-DIAG ,RESULTS WAS : INTERNAL FAILURE @ IPDM.[ECM LOSES POWER SUPPLY FROM IPDM.] REMOVED AND REPLACED PART ; DAT 284B7-ZC00A [CONTROLLER UNIT.] ALSO REQUEST BG FUEL INDUCTION FLUSHING SERVICE. TOTAL COST $531.00 VEHICLE PERFORMS GOOD. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2009
CAR CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC AND WONT RESTART,UNTIL MOMENTS LATER ,BUT PROBLEM RECURS. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2009
CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Mar 4, 2009
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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Dec 15, 2008
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
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 29, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE REAR HATCHBACK LATCH WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURING THE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE DOOR STRIKER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 10/01/2008 . *LJ
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2008
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. FUEL GAUGE READS ZERO, HALF TANK OR SOMEWHERE IN-BETWEEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT UNLESS THE FUEL GAUGE STARTS READING CORRECTLY (WHICH IT SOMETIMES DOES). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NISSAN HAS EVEN COME OUT WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A THAT ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, AND THE REPAIR BILL FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS OUT OF WARRANTY IS BETWEEN $400 AND $600. I BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IF PEOPLE ARE RUNNING OUT OF GAS DUE TO INCORRECT OR NON-EXISTENT FUEL LEVEL READINGS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2005
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED.*MR FOUR DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THREE OUT OF 10 DAYS AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON AND WANT TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE. *NM