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.
Air bags, Sep 5, 2017
MY VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD OVER THE WEEKEND AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. I CONTACTED MY DEALER I PURCHASED FROM TO SEE IF A RECALL EXISTED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH OTHER PATHFINDERS DID RECEIVE A RECALL. I BELIEVE MINE SHOULD HAVE ONE AS WELL SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND MY FAMILY!!!!!
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 5, 2017
FUEL GAUGE IS FAULTY. FUEL LEVEL WILL READ 1/2 FULL AND YET APPROACH EMPTY. THE VEHICLE HAS RUN OUT OF GAS FOUR TIMES, PUTTING THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS IN A DANGEROUS POSITION.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 21, 2017
FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT, SHOWS FUEL TANK EMPTY WHEN IS FULL
Air bags, Aug 15, 2017, crash
LAST WINTER (DEC 2016) MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. IN MARCH 2017 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE I HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON AT 40-50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Power train, Aug 11, 2017
TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS REPEATEDLY WHILE PICKING UP SPEED. IT IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORSE. NOW, ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVING AWHILE- THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND DOESN'T WANT TO GO PAST 20 MPH ONCE YOU STOP AND THEN GO AGAIN. IT SOUNDS LIKE I AM IN NEUTRAL WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE. ONCE IT COOLS, THE PROCESS STARTS OVER.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2017
THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, DESTROYING MY TRANSMISSION. THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING HARD AND SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE I DRIVING DOWN THE THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Jul 27, 2017
CAR HAS EXPERIENCED LEAKAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION COOLER RADIATOR TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. WE WILL NEED TO HAVE IT REBUILT, WHICH WILL COST US $4,500+. WE MAY ALSO NEED TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED. NISSAN KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM YEARS AGO. THEY DIDN'T DO A RECALL OR ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, WHICH IS UNCONSCIONABLE BEHAVIOR.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 19, 2017
MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AFTER IT STARTED TO SMOKE LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED IT OUT AND I WAS TOLD MY RAIDATOR BRUSTED IN MY TRANSMISSION. IT'S NOT DRIVE ABLE AT ALL.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER THE CONTACT PLACED FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED EMPTY THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,377. UPDATED 07/11/17*LJ *AS
Power train, Mar 5, 2017
THE RADIATOR CRACKED WHERE THE TRANSMISSION LINE RUNS THROUGH IT. THIS CAUSED THE TRANNY FLUID AND COOLANT TO MIX AND RUIN THE TRANSMISSION. I NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION AT 40-60 MPH WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THESE ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS ISSUE AND MAY LEAD TO SEVERE ACCIDENTS. THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED.
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, Feb 6, 2017
ON 2-4-2017 MY TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM BEGAN MAKING A LOUD RADDLING NOISE
Engine, Jan 31, 2017
THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE DURING ACCELERATION @ APPRX. 2000 RPMS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD RECENTLY NOTICED SLUGGISH AND UNEVEN ACCELERATION. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INNER TIMING CHAIN AND TENSION GUIDE/SHOE, A WORN DRIVE BELT AND DRIVE BELT TENSIONER, AND A STUCK FAN BELT CLUTCH. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS ALSO POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE INNER TIMING COVER. NISSAN IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND TENSION GUIDE/SHOE. THE DEFECT COULD CAUSE THE TIMING CHAINS TO SLIP - WHICH WOULD LEAD TO IMMEDIATE ENGINE DAMAGE - AND CREATE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, THE FAULTY PART COULD CAUSE OTHER ENGINE ISSUES (LIKE THE ONES REPORTED).
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.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 7, 2016
MY NISSAN PATHFINDER 2005 STALL AND WONT ACCLERATE I PUT A NEW ENGINE 3500 A NEW GAS PUMP350 A VALE BODY 2000 NOW THEY WANT PUT ANOTHER PART 1600
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