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: fuel system
245 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Power train, Feb 27, 2010
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS, HAD 60K SERVICE DONE AT DEALER, STARTED AGAIN, FLUSHED AGAIN AT 72 HAD PROBLEMS AGAIN AT 80 AND AT 87K THE RADIATOR CORE FAILED AND LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL AND SEIZE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS 4400.00 AFTER HEARING ABOUT THIS I DID A LITTLE SEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AS THE SHIFTING IS A PRECURSER TO THE FAILURE, I WANTED THE DEALER TO COVER SINCE THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS OK.. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 24, 2010, crash
2005 PATHFINDER SE- WITH 52K MILES VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH) ON FREEWAY- ALL POWER CONTROLS FAILED PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE WITH A FAILURE OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR- REPORTS ACQUIRED INDICATE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS UNIT ON 2005 AND NEWER MODEL YEAR PATHFINDERS- FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FAILS AND GIVES INACCURATE READING TO DRIVER - WHEN TANK IS EMPTY SHOWS IT TO BE 1/2 FULL. WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED LOOSING ALL ENGINE POWER CAN BE CATASTROPHIC DEALER REPORTS MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS BUT NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS WIDESPREAD MANUFACTURING/DESIGN PROBLEM REPORTED ALSO ON LINE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 17, 2010
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING HIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 17, 2010
FUEL SENDING MODULE FAILURE IN 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH APPROX 62,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" TO COME ON AND CAUSES VEHICLE TO FAIL EMISSION TEST. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK ACCURATELY EITHER. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDERS OF THIS VINTAGE AND REQUIRES THE FUEL TANK TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS WORTHY OF A RECALL SINCE IT IS SO WIDESPREAD. *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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 31, 2010
RE: 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER ABOUT 2, 5 YEARS AGO, MY FUEL GAUGE READ 1/2 FULL OR ALL EMPTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. CHANGING OIL RESET LIGHT INITIALLY, BUT IT CAME BACK ON. SHORT TIME LATER CAR FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF GAUGE AND LIGHT. CAR MECHANIC REPLACED SENDING UNIT, FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. SAID PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPLACE SENDING UNIT. DEC/09 CAR FAILED TO START. GAUGE READ 1/2 FULL. MECHANIC SAID FUEL FILTER FAILED, BUT PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE FILTER IS INSIDE PUMP. JAN30,2010. AS I WRITE THIS MY TANK READS HALF FULL AND THE CAR WON'T START. IT IS DOING THE SAME THING IT DID THE LAST TIME. BEING STRANDED BECAUSE OF A FAILED FUEL PUMP/FILTER/ GAUGE/SENDING UNIT IS DANGEROUS. I CAN TRUST THAT A PART (THAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE) ISN'T GOING TO FAIL ME. I WOULD ADD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, DESPITE APPROPRIATE SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE, (EVEN REPLACED TIRES) MY FUEL CONSUMPTION HAS BECOME VERY POOR. THE ISSUES ARE SOMEHOW CONNECTED. SEE ALSO BLOGS HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/NISSAN-PATHFINDER/TMVJFUGON9RD4EB8I ENTITLE "FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS". EVIDENTLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WORLD-WIDE HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 30, 2010
I AM GETTING OBDII CODES (P0463) AND "CHECK ENGINE" SIGN IS ON EVEN AFTER RESET. ONCE MY FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 3/4 AND I REFILL IT AFTER IT WAS CLOSE TO BE EMPTY I AM GETTING "CHECK ENGINE" SIGN ON PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT IT IS RELATED TO A FUEL TANK LEVEL GAUGE. I ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT EXPERIENCING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NISSAN DOESN'T COVER FAULTY PART REPLACEMENT FOR FREE. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT! THANKS *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 23, 2010
P0463 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 17, 2009
THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER NOW DOES NOT WORK. I RECEIVED A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON, AND REALIZED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND NOTICED THAT THIS SAME ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 6, 2009
I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE OTHER MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. I HAVE READ THAT THE METAL IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600."*TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 21, 2009
DTE GAUGE READ ------ AND GAS GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY WITH LOW GAS LIGHT ON. SES LIGHT CAME ON. DTC P0463/ HAPPEN EVERYDAY. NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005. 52,000 MILES. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 19, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 66,660 MILES. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FOUND THE CODE P0463-FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $500+ TO REPAIR ALTHOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS NISSAN VEHICLE BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PARTS PLACED WHEN ASSEMBLED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 17, 2009
GAS GAUGE AFTER FILLING TANK GAUGED STAYED AT 1/4 TANK NOTHING WORKED EVERYTHING READ -------- REPLACED FUEL SENDING UNIT SEEMS OK NOW. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Nov 17, 2009
WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 PATHFINDER USED AND UPON GETTING A HALF OF TANK OF GAS OUR GAS METER GOES STRAIGHT TO EMPTY IF IT'S LEFT IDLING FOR A SHORT PERIOD. IT WON'T RETURN TO FULL UNLESS YOU FILL THE TANK BACK UP. IT USED TO RETURN TO THE CORRECT POSITION WHEN WE'D SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON BUT IT'S NO LONGER DOING THAT UNLESS WE FILL THE TANK BACK UP. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAIN ON THIS MODEL AND SEEMS KIND OF DANGEROUS. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Nov 1, 2009
ON11/01/09 I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND DRIVING AWAY I NOTICED THE GAUGE REMAINED ON 1/4 OF A TANK. ALSO THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE READING ON THE DTE READ ------. NOTICED ON THE NET THERE ARE MANY OTHER LIKE ME THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 15, 2009
THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. IT WILL GO FROM A FULL TANK TO EMPTY AND THEN BACK. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 10, 2009
I HAVE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. SES LIGHT CAME ON, CODE P0463, FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HIGH OUTPUT. THIS WAS CAUSING MY FUEL GAUGE TO MALFUNCTION, COST ALMOST $600.00 TO FIX. ONLY SAFETY ISSUE IS RUNNING OUT OF GAS IN AN UNSAFE AREA. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Sep 16, 2009
I HAD A 1/4 OF A TANK SO I WENT AND FILLED UP,AS SOON AS I STARTED THE TRUCK IT REGISTERED EMPTY SOON AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY DTE JUST READ ---- CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A PROBLEM REAL COMMON IM AFRAID TO GET ON THE FREEWAY AND RUN OUT OF GAS CAUSE THAT COULD BE REAL DANGEROUS FOR ME AS WELL AS TO OTHERS ITS A SHAME THAT SOMEONE WILL HAVE GET HURT OR LOSS THERE LIFE IN ORDER FOR NISSAN TO CORRECT THIS SIMPLE PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED OLDER NISSAN TRUCKS IN THE PAST, WHEN THEY WERE ABLE TO RECALL THEM WITH NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP FOR SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR STREETS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 5, 2009
FUEL TANK ON 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER DOESN'T READ RIGHT. YOU CAN RUN OUT OF GAS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 20, 2009
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER; FUEL GAUGE ISSUES. THE FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC, INACCURATE, OR INOPERATIVE. IN ADDITION, THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" IS 'ON' WITH DTC CODE OF P0461, P0462, OR P0463 STORED IN SELF-DIAGNOSIS. NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #NTB07-069A. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 18, 2009
FUEL GAUGE REPORTS INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. FUEL SENSOR DEFECTIVE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COME ON AS ADDITIONAL WARNING. SENSOR SYSTEM REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 2, 2009
FUEL SENDING/SENSING UNIT ON 2005 PATHFINDER 4X2. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE IS NOT ABLE TO INFORM ON FUEL LEFT ON TANK. NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/NISSAN-PATHFINDER/TMVJFUGON9RD4EB8I. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 24, 2009
MANY NISSAN VEHICLES HAVE FAILED FUEL SENSOR UNITS. NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE OR TO ISSUE A RECALL. IT IS IS SAFETY HAZARD NOT TO KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN YOUR VEHICLE. ESPECIALLY WHEN MORE THAN ONE DRIVER HAVE ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE. BY GOOGLING THE PROBLEM I FOUND OUT THAT MANY NISSAN OWNERS HAVE THIS FUEL SENSOR BUG. SEVERAL NISSAN MODELS ARE EFFECTED. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Jul 10, 2009
NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005 SE ERROR CODE P0463 FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND FAULTY GAS GAUGE, REPLACEMENT COST $400+. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 30, 2009
WE HAVE A SQUEAKING UNDERNEATH OUR VEHICLE AND IT SMELLS LIKE GAS. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ONLINE WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AND THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. WE ARE WORRIED THAT OUR VEHICLE COULD BE LEAKING GAS DUE TO THE CHANGE IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY FROM THE 2004 TO THE 2005 MODEL. OUR GAS GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE COMES ON SO WE SUSPECT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE GASOLINE SMELL AND THE SQUEAKING. WE THINK THAT THERE MUST BE A HOLE SOMEWHERE THAT HAS OCCURRED FROM THE CONSTANT RUBBING OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. *TR