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 19, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT HAS BEGUN TO SHOW SIGNS OF THE ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS. THE PROBLEMS OCCURRING ARE SEVERE TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND VIBRATION AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 45-55 MPH. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND AM CONTACTING NISSAN FOR THE DREADED FORMAL DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AT HIGH SPEED CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL FOR VERY SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE PROBLEM IS WELL KNOW TO NISSAN AND HAS OCCURRED IN OTHER MODEL YEARS AS WELL AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS NISSAN WILL CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE COOLANT LEAKAGE INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID VIA THE RADIATOR DESIGN FLAW UNTIL DIRECTED TO DO SO. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN MANY CONSUMER FORUMS RELATED TO NISSAN PATHFINDERS OF YEARS 2005-2007. *TR
Power train, Feb 13, 2010
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAT STAYING CONSISTENT (DOES NOT BLOW HOT AIR WHEN IDLE) AS WELL A VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. I ALSO BEGIN TO NOTICE THAT TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. I WOULD STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND GO TO TAKE OFF AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PICK UP SPEED WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME EXACTLY WHAT I ALREADY KNEW, THE RADIATOR WAS NOW NO GOOD AND LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAS CAUSED BOTH OF THEM TO BE RUINED AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 5K TO REPLACE. I ASKED IF THE DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT SEVERAL OF THE SAME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN FOR THIS VERY REASON. HE ADVISED THAT NISSAN HAS NOT PAID FOR THESE SERVICES AS THE VEHICLES ARE ALWAYS OUT OF WARRANTY ON THE RADIATOR. I STILL HAVE 2000 MILES LEFT ON MY POWERTRAIN AND ADVISED THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTING NISSAN FOR "GOODWILL" ASSISTANCE. NISSAN FINALLY CONTACTED ME AND ADVISED THAT SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS INITIALLY CAUSED BY THE RADIATOR, THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THEY ALSO ADVISED ME THAT SINCE I WAS NOT CONSIDERED "LOYAL" TO NISSAN AS THIS IS MY FIRST VEHICLE WITH THEM THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I DO THINK IT IS FAIR TO HOLD THE CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE TRANSMISSION AS CLEARLY THE RADIATOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THE PROBLEM DOESN'T BEGIN UNTIL AFTER IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY 5K FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. IF THIS WAS A RARE CASE OR CAUSED BY THE CONSUMER THEN, YES WE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT AS ALL NISSAN DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ASSIST US AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE PARTS AS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 12, 2010
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS PROBLEMS WITH ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF SOME DESIGN FLAW. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS OCCURRING WITH THIS SAME PARTICULAR MODEL. THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THEN WILL START SLIPPING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONE THAT HAS DIAGNOSED IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT HAVE REFUSED TO ISSUE A TSB OR RECALL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS DEFECT AND IS COSTING PEOPLE 5 TO 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS JUST BEGUN THE TELL TALE SYMPTOMS OF THIS COSTLY PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD CONSIDER THE PROBLEMS THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING RIGHT NOW AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. *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
Power train, Feb 4, 2010
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER MY RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID INTO THE TRANNY COOLING LINES. ITS BEEN TO NISSAN 2-3 TIMES. FINALLY THERE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANNY AND RADIATOR. FORTUNATELY ITS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Feb 1, 2010
I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. JUST A COUPLE OF SHORT WEEKS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STRANGE VIBRATION NOISE (LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING OVER A GROOVED SURFACE) COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AROUND 2000-2500 RPMS OR 45-65 MPH. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE (HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F177B6C/8#MSG8) I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE A TON OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM ON THE '05 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A HOSE THAT RUNS FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THUS CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BEGIN TO MALFUNCTION AND THEN ULTIMATELY SHUT DOWN. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE POST ON EDMUNDS.COM, THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE IMPACTING ALL 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. YET, I MUST HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO/FRO WORK. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING ON NISSANS PART AND THEY NEED TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE AND ADDRESS THE FAULTY ENGINEERING HERE BEFORE SOMEONE'S TRANSMISSION SHUTS DOWN AT 60MPH CAUSING A CRASH ON ONE OF OUR HIGHWAYS/INTERSTATES. *TR
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, Power train, May 2, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT THE OIL COOLER LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *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
Power train, Jul 22, 2008
THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A BUZZING / WHINING NOISE COMING FROM ONE OR BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND CAMSHAFT SPROCKET AREAS. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAINS AND BOTH SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS AT 61,000 MILES. COST: $2,148.00. PLEASE SEE NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLASSIFICATION: EM07-001 NTB07-042. REFERENCE: DATE: JULY 17, 2007. I BELIEVE THIS ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MISTAKE ON NISSAN'S BEHALF WHEN THEY USED INAPPROPRIATE AND UNSAFE PARTS. I ASKED NISSAN TO COVER THIS ITEM UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH THEY QUICKLY REFUSED. I WAS 1,000 MILES PAST MY DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY BUT THIS HAD BEGUN WAY BEFORE THAT POINT. I FIND IT BOTH AMUSING AND CONVENIENT THAT NISSAN NEVER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM TO ITS CUSTOMERS, AND ME SPECIFICALLY UNTIL I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THE SERVICE REPORT IS DATED JULY 17, 2007, EXACTLY ONE YEAR PRIOR TO MY VEHICLE NEEDING REPAIR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CLEAR ADMITTANCE OF GUILT ON BEHALF OF NISSAN. *TR