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
1,050 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2011
MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING BACK FROM A SMALL TRIP WHILE ON OUR WAY HOME OUR TRUCK STARTING SHAKING WHEN IT REACHED SPEEDS OF 40 TO 50 MPH IT DID THIS ABOUT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ON OUR WAY HOME. WE PULLED OVER TO CHECK BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING, WE WERE NERVOUS BECAUSE WE HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR TRUCK. ONCE WE HAD MADE IT INTO TO TOWN WE WERE AT A STOP SIGN AS MY HUSBAND ACCELERATED TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION THE TRUCK HESITATED TO SPEED UP. IT APPEARED TO BE THAT THE TRUCK WAS STUCK ON 1 TO 2ND GEAR. LUCKILY IT WAS LATE IN THE EVENING AND THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN WE CROSSED THE INTERCEPTION, IF NOT I HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. IT FELT LIKE THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO DIE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. NEXT DAY WE TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO OUR MECHANIC. HE INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS WATER/COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR THAT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, HE ADVICE US TO TAKE IT IN TO OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALER SHOP. WE HAD TO PAY NISSAN $96 FOR THEM TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT OUR MECHANICS RESULTS. ONCE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED IT CONFIRMED WHAT OUT MECHANIC HAD INFORMED US. WE SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO NISSAN OF AMERICA, AND SADLY THEY DENIED OUR CLAIM. THEIR REASON BEHIND THE DENIAL WAS BECAUSE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE RADIATOR COVERED UP TO 80K MILES OUR TRUCK WAS OVER ABOUT 35K MILES. WE ARE STUCK WITH A BILL OF OVER 6K TO HAVE THE TRUCK FIXED, IT REQUIRES A NEW TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, TRANNY COOLER LINE FLUSH AND COOLANT FLUSH. I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH NISSAN FOR OVER 11/2 WEEK WITH NO RESULTS OTHER THAN NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX OUR TRUCK BECAUSE WE HAVE SURPASS THE 80K MILES. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A 6 YEAR OLD TRUCK TO HAVE SUCH SERIOUSE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION DUE TO A FALTY RADIATOR WHICH NISSAN WAS WELL AWARE.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SWITCHING THE GEAR BACK INTO DRIVE THE FAILURE DID NOT CONTINUE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE AND LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER AND WAS INSTEAD TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,500. UPDATED 2/22/12 *CN
Power train, Aug 4, 2011
STARTED EXPERIENCING SHUDDER WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MOVED BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT AT DEALER TO INVESTIGATE AND MINIMIZED DRIVING IN THE MEANTIME. SYMPTOM DID NOT OCCUR OVER TWO DAY PERIOD UNTIL DRIVING ON THIRD DAY WHERE THE ISSUE WORSENED RAPIDLY UNTIL TRANSMISSION BECAME INOPERABLE ABOVE 10 MPH. I INVESTIGATED THE ISSUE AND LEARNED THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PATHFINDER WHERE THE RADIATOR FLUID FAILS INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I INSPECTED THE ANTIFREEZE TO OBSERVE TRACES OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. CHECKING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE FLUID WAS DARKEN AND ABOVE THE HIGH-LEVEL MARK FOR THE FLUID LEVEL. I HAD DEALER INVESTIGATE AND THIS IS IN FACT WHAT HAD FAILED. NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80K MILES SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 89K MILES AND I AM LOOKING AT A $6000 REPAIR BILL THAT I REFUSE TO REPAIR. NISSAN IS OFFERING ZERO ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACTIONS OTHER THAN RAISING THE WARRANTY TO 80K MILES. THIS IS GROSS ERROR IN THE DESIGN OF THE PRODUCT AND CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY DEPENDING ON THE TIMING OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE TO GET NISSAN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN? I AM DONE WITH NISSAN AS A BRAND AND SUGGEST THAT THE FED INVESTIGATE THEIR INACTION IN ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Aug 2, 2011
SINCE APRIL 2011 MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO RATTLING AND VIBRATION UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER HAVING IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC IN MAY 2011 HE STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND COOLANT IS MISSING TOGETHER. THE FLUID WAS CHANGED ON JUNE 26, 2011, THAT CAME OUT LOOKING LIKE CHOCOLATE MILK AND IT IS STILL VIBRATING AT 45 AND 64 MILES PER HOUR. I UNDER STAND THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM FOR THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE CAR DEALERS AND NOT THE CONSUMER. THE SOLENOID IN THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS OFFLINE AND ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IT RESETS AND THE VIBRATION CONTINUE AS YOU DRIVE. THE CHANGING OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. *KB
Power train, Aug 2, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD AT ANY TIME. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Power train, Jul 30, 2011
THE FAMILY AND I ALL GOT INTO THE CAR AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING, IT SEEMED TO BE A NORMAL NIGHT EXCEPT WHEN MY MOTHER WENT IN FOR REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND THE CAR TOOK OVER, OUR MOTHER WAS YELLING SAYING ' THE BRAKES WONT WORK ' EVERYBODY WAS IN SUCH A PANIC THE CAR HIT TWO CIRCLES IN THE STORE PARKING LOT. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS THERE. WE RAN INTO THE STORE GATE WHICH WAS THERE JUST IN CASE THOSE SORT OF THINGS HAPPEN BUT MY BROTHER WHO WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT STOP THE CAR BY PUTTING IT IN PARKING. *TR
Power train, Jul 25, 2011
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
Power train, Jul 22, 2011
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 4X4. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR I OFTEN NOTICED THE CAR DOWNSHIFTING FOR NO APPARENT REASON BUT IT WOULD GO AWAY AND I FORGOT ABOUT IT. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO AND ABOUT 113000 MILES IT GOT WORSE AND STARTED MAKING NOISES AND OFTEN IT SOUNDED LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE TRANSMISSION SO HE REFERRED ME TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED ME AFTER AN INSPECTION THAT WATER WAS IN THE TRANS AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. HE SAID THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY PART OR SOMETHING THAT ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE RADIATOR AND THAT THERE MIGHT BE TRANS FLUID IN THE RADIATOR OR WORSE, IN THE ENGINE. HE SEEMED TO THINK THAT IF LEFT THIS WAY THE TRANS COULD SEIZE UP CAUSING A GREAT AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO THIS POTENTIAL SEIZING UP CONDITION. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRANS FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. I HAD IT FLUSHED AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE OKAY. CHECKING ON LINE I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE. ALMOST $4000 LATER HOPEFULLY MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE RESTITUTION. *TT
Power train, Jul 22, 2011
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER - NOTICED SHUDDER AROUND 60 MPH INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK THEN PROBLEM BECAME MORE FREQUENT OCCURRING AROUND 40-45 MPH. WHILE TRYING TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP SAID THAT RADIATOR HAD FAILED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED BOTH TO BE REPLACED. SINCE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 90,000 MILES, WARRANTY ON RADIATOR THAT HAS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT IS VOID AND THUS PREVIOUSLY COVERED TRANSMISSION WARRANTY IS ALSO VOID. NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND RECALL THE PART, LEAVING THEIR CUSTOMERS STRANDED BOTH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IN THEIR WALLETS. TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY REASONS. THE LOOPHOLE APPEARS TO BE THAT SINCE THE FAILURE IS DUE TO THE RADIATOR, ANYTHING RELATING TO THE TRANSMISSION IS NULL AND VOID. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE ACTUATOR OF THE ANTI-SKID ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,900. UPDATED 10/5/11 *CN ALSO, THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/04/11
Power train, Jul 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND A SENSOR WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A FULL DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FUNCTION WITH SOME RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,128. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DESIGN OF THE COOLING SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE ALLOWED FOR CROSS-CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT. THE VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND ULTIMATELY FAILED.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 19, 2011
TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR COOLANT CROSS CONTAMINATION CAUSING THE PATHFINDER TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE CHILD SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. *KB
Power train, Jul 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO VIBRATE WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED FOR REPAIRS YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT FLUID WAS BACKED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD BOTH NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 15, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL OR MORE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD INACCURATELY READ THAT IT WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jul 14, 2011
RADIATOR DEVELOPED INTERNAL CRACK LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED AND REPLACED AT 70,000 MILES.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ARM OF THE FUEL SENSOR WAS FRACTURED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 106,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 04/25/12*LJ UPDATED 04/30/12
Power train, Jul 9, 2011, fire
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 93,000 MILES. HAD ORIGINAL ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION IN 2009 A SLIGHT SHIMMY AND ONCE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, AS SOON AS IT SLIPPED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE: RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION AT ~$6,500. I ASKED FOR OPTIONS THE DEALER SAID I COULD TRY REPLACING RADIATOR, FLUSH TRANSMISSION AND ADD NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR ~2,500, HE SAID IT MAY MAKE IT 5 MORE MILES OR 500K MILES, BUT EXPECTED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD AT SOME POINT FAIL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL TRUSTED REPAIR SHOP AND HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FLUSHED WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILLED WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR LESS THAN $1K. HAD NO ISSUES SINCE. ON JUNE 6TH OUT OF THE BLUE AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE LAKE, I FELT THE SHIMMY AGAIN, IMMEDIATELY BACKED OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN SLOWLY GOT BACK INTO THE GAS, AS I DID I FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP A LITTLE. LESS THAN 1,000 FEET DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHIN 1,000' AS I CAME TO A STOP THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND I REALIZED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. I OPENED THE DOOR TO GET OUT AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE RUNNING BOARDS. WITHIN 3 MINUTES THE CAR AND ALL IT'S CONTENTS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. IT WAS OBVIOUS FROM MY VANTAGE POINT AND THE PICTURES I TOOK DURING THE FIRE THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN A THERMAL EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED, THANK GOD I WAS ALONE.AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD CARE LESS. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2011
I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S ELECTRICAL COMPONENT WAS "DEAD." THE CAR NEEDS A NEW IPMD AND ECM MODULES. THE DEALER QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $2200 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS STILL WITH THE DEALER. I WILL ADVISE THEM OF THE RECALL ON MONDAY AND REQUEST THAT MY CAR IS REPAIRED.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2011
PREMATURE WEAR OF TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. IN THE NISSAN PATHFINDER 4.0L V6 ENGINES, THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. OUR VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED BY NISSAN DEALER SERVICE AT 62,000 MILES AND THE REQUIRED FIX ACTION WAS TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN QUIDES OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF $1500.00. THESE PARTS DO NOT HAVE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER NISSAN HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS A PROBLEM IN THE PATHFINDER AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME ENGINE AND HAS ISSUED TWO SEPARATE SERVICE BULLETINS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ENGINEERING DEFICIENCY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2011
RADIATOR LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO MESS UP. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ON HIGHER MILEAGE PATHFINDER BUT THEY ONLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES. I RESEARCHED THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT OCCURS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Equipment, Jun 15, 2011
I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT SINCE NISSAN DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED, I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WHEN WERE ON THE ROAD OUR CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING STARTS JERKING, AND WERE SO SCARED THAT WILL NOT MAKE IT HOME BECAUSE THE WAY ITS ACTING WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND THE CA WOULD NOT REVERSE WE LOOK ONLINE AND SEARCH WHAT' CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND READ A BUNCH OF COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER AT AUTOMOTIVE.COM STATING THAT THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM IS THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BURN, CALLED AROUND WITH A BUNCH OF AUTO MECHANIC AND WHEN I MENTION THAT I NEED MY TRANSMISSION REPLACE THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY SAID YOU KNOW YOU NEED YOUR RADIATOR REPLACE BECAUSE THAT IS CAUSING YOUR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND DENIED THE COMPLAINT THIS SHOULD BE IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THIS IS DANGEROUS IF YOU WEREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IF YOUR ON THE ROAD HOPE YOU CAN HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Jun 14, 2011
NISSAN HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR RADIATORS AND FAULTY HOSES. THESE RESULT IN COOLANT LEAKING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND ULTIMATELY DESTROYING BOTH. THIS ISSUE IS PREVALENT AT 85K MILES AND BEYOND WHICH IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR BOTH. THIS LEAKS CAUSES THE PATHFINDER TO BE UNSAFE AS IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED FOR OVER 6K. THE PATHFINDER DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY AND WILL ULTIMATELY STALL COMPLETELY WHILE IN USE. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS ISSUE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 13, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power train, Jun 9, 2011
TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP, HAD VEHICLE EXAMINED, PART IN RADIATOR FAILED AND CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT WHICH DAMAGED TRANSMISSION, FLUIDS WERE FLUSHED AND PART IN RADIATOR BYPASSED HOWEVER TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SAVED FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE IN VEHICLE. *TR