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: engine and engine cooling
290 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 27, 2010
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2005 PATHFINDER ON THE HWY I NOTICED SMOKE ( A LOT)COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS ALSO LOSING RPMS (LIKE THE TRANNY WAS SLIPPING) THE SHOP SAID THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND FRIED THE TRANSMISSION ($7000).NISSAN HERE LOCALLY STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IN THE MODEL. THE ENGINE STOPPED SMOKING AFTER 20 MINUTES, HAD TO EVACUATE FOUR CHILDREN ON THE HWY. THIS IS SECOND POSTED COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE SHOP STATES THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW.*CW
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2009
THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO A WIDESPREAD MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN NISSAN PATHFINDER AND FRONTIER MODELS IN PRODUCTION AND SALE PRIOR TO 2008. THE ISSUE IS THE FAILURE OF TIMING CHAIN MECHANISMS DUE TO INFERIOR QUALITY PLASTIC GUIDES THAT HAVE FAILED ON A HUGE SCALE WORLDWIDE. NISSAN'S RECOGNITION OF THIS PROBLEM WAS REFLECTED IN TSB NOS. NTB07-042 AND NTB07-042A. RECOGNIZING THE DESIGN FLAW, NISSAN CHANGED THE PARTS IN 2008 AND FORWARD. OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY TIMES, NISSAN REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE RELEVANT PARTS AND, APPARENTLY, HAS NOT NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM OF CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AS A RESULT OF SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE. AS DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET, MANY FAILURES OF THESE COMPONENTS ARE OCCURRING POST-WARRANTY AND MOST CONSUMERS HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE IMPENDING DANGERS BECAUSE NISSAN APPEARS TO HAVE NOT PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO DO BECOME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM POST-WARRANTY, THEY ARE FACING REPAIR COSTS OF APPROXIMATELY $2500.00 WHICH IS AN ECONOMIC BURDEN PLACED UPON THEM BY NISSAN EMANATING FROM NISSAN'S OWN INTERNALLY-RECOGNIZED DESIGN FLAW. REQUEST IS HEREBY MADE THAT THIS SITUATION BE INVESTIGATED AND THAT NISSAN BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ECONOMIC AND SAFETY DANGERS IT HAS PERPETRATED BY ITS ADMITTED DESIGN FLAWS. OUR OWN 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS FACING THIS PROBLEM AT THE PRESENT TIME. AT A MINIMUM, NISSAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADVISE ALL OWNERS OF THE RELEVANT VEHICLES ABOUT THE NEED TO AVOID ENGINE FAILURE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LARGE NUMBER OF AFFECTED PARTIES WHO ARE POST-WARRANTY AND UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE NHTSA SHOULD ALSO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF PARTS FAILURES PRE- AND POST-WARRANTY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE-OR AND THE RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND HAVE BOTH SYSTEMS FLUSHED 2X EACH. THE RPMS WERE HESTATING WHEN EXCELLING OVER 45MPH. THE NISSAN DEALER TRIED RIPPING ME OFF SAYING I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION-SO I WENT TO A REPUTABLE GARAGE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 2, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT THE OIL COOLER LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Mar 16, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THERE WAS NO GASOLINE IN THE TANK. HOWEVER, SHE HAD RECENTLY FILLED UP THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED. THE FUEL SYSTEM SENSOR WAS RESET. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE COMPENSATION BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,987. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/28/09.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2008
TIMING BELT TENSIONER GUIDES WORN OUT - MUST BE REPLACED. COST OF 1700.00 DOLLARS FROM NISSAN. PERHAPS NISSAN CAN DO IT FOR FREE SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MANY 2005 PATHFINDER (4 LITER ENGINE). *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Tires, Equipment, Sep 23, 2008
COURTESY COPY OF A LETTER FROM CONSUMERS WRITTEN TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA RE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD A WHISTLE UP SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, THE TIRES WERE FEATHERED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, THE DOOR PANELS CREAKED, THE BRAKES MADE A CLICKING NOISE, THE DRIVE BELTS WERE REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF A NOISE THE CONSUMER HEARD, THE PLASTIC FINISHER ON THE RUNNING BOARDS KEPT POPPING OFF, THE STRUT ON THE REAR HATCH LEAKED DUE TO A POOR SEAL, THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKED, THERE WAS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE DEALER STATED IT FAILED DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE. THE REAR SHOCKS LEAKED, THE FRONT PINION SEAL AND OIL PINION SEAL WERE REPLACED AND THE REAR HATCH WINDOW LEAKED. *JB UPDATED 04/06/10.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Sep 11, 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
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Equipment, Jun 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. DUE TO FAILURES, THE CONTACT HAS ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED ON MAY 21, 2008. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD BYPASS THE ENGINE AND SHUT OFF THE LIGHT. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE IT WAS TOO HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH THE ORIGINAL STEREO SYSTEM, BUT, WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING, THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A DEMO. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SENSORS WERE FAILING AND A FUEL PUMP WAS NEEDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,655. UPDATED 07/10/08.*LJ UPATED 07/08/08
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 21, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DIAL IN THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES LATER, THE DIAL INCREASED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND THE FUEL WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT DIMMED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE FUEL CAP AND REPLACED IT HIMSELF. MOMENTS LATER, HE RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AS WELL. HE DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REPAIR COST EXCEEDED $600. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 17, 2008
THERE IS AN EXHAUST SYSTEM NOISE WHEN A PERSON SITS IN THE REAR SEAT. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE THE FAULTY EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS SHIFTED TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR CAUSING THE NOISE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-50 MPH, THE ENGINE LOSES POWER BUT DOES NOT SHUT OFF. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE AND THE SPEED SENSOR, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 19,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,600.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2007
I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 PATHFINDER. THERE IS AN ANNOYING LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD BELT TENSIONER AND WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 1500 MILES. THE SECOND TIME WAS A BAD BELT AT ABOUT 4500 MILES. I JUST HAD MY 30,000 MILE SERVICE AND THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT FINE NOW THE NOISE IS BACK LOUDER THEN EVER.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 1, 2006
2005 PATHFINDER HAD PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATIONS/PINGING NOISE. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN WET CONDITION ROAD CONDITIONS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, AND WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD IT HAPPENED TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. UNTIL THEY COULD DO SO THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC