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: power train
585 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Feb 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OVER 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Feb 22, 2017
COOLANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE,THERE ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING WHICH COULD POSSIBLY BE LIFE THREATENING IN CERTAIN INSTANCES...THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE FIRST TIME 3 YEARS AGO. AND HAS NOW HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING GETTING ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Feb 13, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE RPMS ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLOODED WITH WATER AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
Power train, Engine, Nov 30, 2016
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING USELESS. CORRODED AND DESTROYED WHOLE INTERIOR OF TRANSMISSION .
Power train, Nov 22, 2016
AT ALMOST 70,000 MILES, I STARTED GETTING A VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT OR ABOVE 40 MPH. I WAS TOLD BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS COOLANT INTERMIXED IN THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6800. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BACK IN 2007 AND DIDN'T NOTIFY OWNERS. NOT HAPPY!
Power train, Engine, Oct 26, 2016
STARTED LOOSING SPEED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE SUV WITH ME, SO SCARY. BUT I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT ROLL IN TIME FOR IT TO GET TO 0 ON ODOMETER. THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOME. FEW DAYS LATER TOOK TO TWO DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS(TOWED TO 2ND SHOP BECAUSE SUV WOULD NOT GO PASS 20 AND IT WOULD JUST STOP ONCE DOWN TO 0)WHO INFORMED ME THERE WERE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, FINAL SHOP SAID THE RADIATOR RUPTURED CAUSING WATER, TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, AND ETC TO ALL MIX WHICH HAS CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD MY OPTIONS ARE TO REBUILD, BUT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION OR LET THE SUV GO..UPONGOOGLING TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE OR HAD THIS PROBLEMS I'M TOTALLY NOT ALONE AND YES I'M PASS THE 50,000 N 100,000 RANGE HOWEVER I STILL THINK SOME ETCHING SHOULDBE DONE, BEING I TOOK N TRACE VERY GD CARE IF MY SUV ONLY ALLOWING NISSAN TO REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE MY SUV. I WAS TOLD TO REPAIR THIS WILL COST ME 3900 PLUS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANY TO BE HONEST BUT DONE TYPE IF HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED FOR NOT ONLY ME BUT EVERYONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Oct 26, 2016
I WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I FIND OUT IT IS THE "INTERMIX" BETWEEN THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS FROM NISSAN, BUT NOW UNDERSTAND IT WAS A KNOWN AND FREQUENT FAILURE - BY DESIGN. ESSENTIALLY, AFTER 90,000 MILE, THE CAR IS WORTHLESS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. AFTER PAYING $5,000 FOR THE REPAIR, I DROVE OFF THE LOT ONLY TO HAVE MY FUEL PUMP FAIL. LITERALLY, I DROVE OFF THE LOT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN MISFIRING. UNBELIEVABLE. *TR
Power train, Oct 13, 2016
PATHFINDER 2005 HAS ONLY 73,000 MILES AND NOW HAS A PROBLEM OF CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS. REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. VERY EXPENSIVE - REQUIRES TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND WASH RADIATOR. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. PROBLEM CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER SHOP AS WELL AS AM INDEPENDENT CAR SHOP.
Power train, Sep 22, 2016
TRANSMISSION FAILURE
Power train, Sep 22, 2016
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER 92,000 , VEHICLE WON'T START AND HAD IT TOWED, WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER HAVING SPENT $800 @ VADAN NISSAN, BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD JERKS AND STOP WHILST DRIVING, WAS TOLD IT WAS A COIL PROBLEM, AND A SENSOR ISSUE, NOTHING WAS EVER SAID TO ME ABOUT THIS HUGE PROBLEM THE 2005 TO 2010 PATHFINDERS ARE HAVING, TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH NISSAN.
Power train, Sep 20, 2016
TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON INTERSTATE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME 50 MILES
Power train, Sep 19, 2016
DRIVING AND CAME TO A LIGHT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE.
Power train, Sep 12, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE COOLENT IN MY TRANSMISSION DUE TO RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION TO SLIP CAUSING MY CAR TO CRASH INTO MY HOUSE IN MY CARPORT THE REPAIR FOR THE TRANSMISSION IS $3800 AND I'M ON A FIX INCOME
Power train, Sep 9, 2016
PURCHASED A USED 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. HAD THE VEHICLE ABOUT 2 YEARS. DRIVING HOME ONE DAY THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AS THE RPM'S STARTED TO SPIKE. WE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IN A VERY UNSAFE SPOT BECAUSE THE CAR COULD NO LONGER MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. WITH A QUICK GLANCE INTO THE COOLANT TANK, SEEMS TO HAVE A MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. REPAIR COST ARE ESTIMATED FROM 2500 - 5,000+. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Sep 8, 2016
RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Power train, Sep 4, 2016
OUR 2005 PATHFINDER LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY IN OUR TOWN TO TAKE OUR DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NOT CHANGE OUT OF FIRST GEAR. WE LIVE UP ON A SLIGHT HILL, AND IT HONESTLY FELT LIKE I WAS PULLING A SEMI BEHIND MY VEHICLE JUST TO GET IT BACK HOME WITHOUT REQUIRING A TOW. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE HAD TO KEEP BOTH OF OUR CHILDREN HOME FROM SCHOOL THAT DAY BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE WE OWN. IT ANGERS ME THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE!! THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE HAS CAUSED US TO BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW!! IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO FIND PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO HELP YOU OUT LONG TERM!! THIS IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE TO OUR FAMILY, & WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS FIXED. A LOCAL MECHANIC NEAR WHERE WE LIVE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE TONS OF TIMES, AND HAS FIXED NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF NISSAN VEHICLES DUE TO THE CRACK THAT CAUSES THE ANTIFREEZE & TRANSMISSION FLUIDS TO COMBINE AND MESS UP EVERYTHING IN THE TRANSMISSION OVER TIME. WITH THIS BEING AN ISSUE ON NISSAN'S PART, I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED!!! MY HUSBAND IS OUT OF WORK DUE TO AN INJURY AND WILL BE OUT FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. I WORK PART TIME AT A LOCAL BBQ RESTAURANT IN OUR TOWN, AND DON'T BRING HOME VERY MUCH EACH WEEK. I PRAY THE CORPORATION WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND FINALLY RECALL ALL THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS. $3500 DOLLARS IS THE BEST WE CAN FIND & WHEN IT GETS FIXED, THE PERSON WE HAVE SPOKE WITH SAID THEY WILL BYPASS THE RADIATOR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GETS REINSTALLED MAKING SURE WE NEVER HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVER AGAIN!!!! SADLY WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS OR I WOULD NOT BE MAKING THIS COMPLAINT. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY INFORMATION THAT I DON'T KNOW OF PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I AM DESPERATE TO GET MY VEHICLE BACK!!! WE HAVE NO ONE TO HELP. THX
Power train, Engine, Sep 3, 2016
I NEEDED TO CHANGE ALL SENSORS BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE DVD AND SLIP LIGHT STAYED ON.NOW IT WILL NOT START ALL THE TIME AND IF IT DOES IT WILL DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER.
Power train, Aug 31, 2016
8/31/2016 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING, I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHICH SHOWED THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. THIS IS DUE TO THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION INTERMIX PROBLEM IS HOW NISSAN NOTES IT AND VALIDATED BY MY CALL TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER. THE CAR IS OUTSIDE THE NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH IS 10 YEARS BUT WELL UNDER THE 100,000 MILES AS IT HAS 80K MILES AT TIME OF EVENT. NISSAN IS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SO THE OUT OF POCKET COST TO REPAIR ($5-$6K) MAKES IT NOT WORTH THE REPAIR SO I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT TO DATE I HAVE MAINTAINED VERY WELL. THERE WAS NOT WARNING SIGNS AND I AM SURE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME AS IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT NISSAN DOES NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED HUNDREDS OF NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED AND CAUSED COOLANT TO PENETRATE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTED RADIATOR REPLACEMENT PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE RADIATOR COOLANT PENETRATED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Aug 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000. UPDATED 12/01/16*LJ *TR
Power train, Aug 10, 2016
VEHICLE WOULD BARELY PULL OUT IN DRIVE, JUST STOPPED PULLING. CHECKED FLUID IN TRANSMISSION AND ITS A MILKY COLOR. RADIATOR COOLANT IS MILKY BROWN.
Power train, Air bags, Jul 4, 2016
WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 40 MOST SPEED LIMIT IT FELT AS IF I WAS DRIVING ON SAFETY STRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE STRUDDER.
Power train, Jun 28, 2016
WHEN OPERATING MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SLIP AT SPEEDS OF 40-50 MPH IN MOTION ON STREET'S AND HIGHWAYS.
Power train, Jun 9, 2016
WATER IN TRANSMISSION OIL DUE TO BAD TRANS COOLER WICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM W/ THESE VEHICLES BY NISSAN BUT WAS NEVER RECALLED.