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.
Power train, Aug 22, 2015
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS GO INTO GEAR FROM A STARTING POSITION, OR FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT. ALSO, IT WILL SUDDENLY LURCH INTO GEAR. IT'S A CONSISTENT ISSUE THAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA AND IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
Suspension, Power train, Aug 11, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 7, 2015
WHEN I WENT TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR, AFTER I GOT IN AND STARTED THE CAR THE GAS GAGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY AND STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I COULDN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAD IN THE CAR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. AFTER ABOUT 5 HOURS IT ALL WENT BACK TO NORMAL UNTIL I PUT GAS IN THE CAR AGAIN AND IT DID IT ALL OVER AGAIN BUT THIS TIME NEVER STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN READING ON LINE ALL THE OTHER NISSIAN SAID WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND THE REPAIR IS OVER $700.00. TOO MANY CARS AFFECTED WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND YOU CAN'T DRIVE AROUND NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH GAS IS IN YOUR CAR THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL AND HELP PAY THAT HUGE EXPENSE!
Power train, Aug 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE TO RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2014. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Power train, Jul 27, 2015
THE TIMING CHAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 65K MILES. IT COST $1200 AND IT'S A COMMON NISSAN PROBLEM.
Power train, Jul 18, 2015
VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE PICKING UP SPEED AFTER STOPPING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO COOL OFF BEFORE RESTARTING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALEARSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FLAW IN NISSANS WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO CRACKED ATF LINE. THEY RECOMMENDED EITHER INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION OR HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT.
Power train, Jul 13, 2015
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. I AM BEYOND UPSET. NO WAY THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS CAR IS CARED FOR PERFECTLY. MY TRANSMISSION SHOP ESTIMATES THE COST WILL BE OVER $3000. TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
Power train, Jul 10, 2015
THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Power train, Jul 9, 2015
TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLANT LINE FAILED IN RADIATOR CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX AND DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION
Power train, Jul 8, 2015
VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE PICKING UP SPEED AFTER STOPPING WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO COOL OFF BEFORE RESTARTING. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALEARSHIP AND THEY STATED INTO WAS A COMMON FLAW IN NISSANS WHERE THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO CRACKED ATF LINE. THEY RECOMMENDED EITHER INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION OR HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THEY RECOMMENED A PLACE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. PICKED UP THE VEHICAL AFTER REBUILD ON JULY 1, 2015 AND BEGAN HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS ON JULY 7, 2015.
Power train, Jun 18, 2015
MY CAR STARTED SHUTTERING WHEN IT WAS TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND IT GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION THEREFORE I NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WHICH COVERS THE TRANSMISSION BUT NOT THE RADIATOR AND BECAUSE THE RADIATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION GOING BAD THE WARRANTY WON'T PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION EITHER. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF. IF THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WHY WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I AM DISGUSTED WITH THE ENTIRE MATTER AND THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SO PEOPLE DON'T CONTINUE TO GET RIPPED OFF. I AM HOPING THEY COME THROUGH AND REPLACE MINE FOR FREE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2015
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSIAN PATHFINDER WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SMOKING AND I HAD A PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. IT WAS A TANNISH COLOR AND MILKY LOOKING. WHEN TOWED TO NISSIAN THE SERVICE MANAGER VERIFIED IT WAS THE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2015
TRANSMISSION FAILURE BECAUSE OF RADIATOR BLOWING OUT AND LETTING ANTIFREEZE MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID
Engine, May 21, 2015
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE UNDER THROTTLE BUT WAS NOT INITIALLY IDENTIFIED AS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. IT WAS ASSUMED TO BE A BELT OR BELT PULLEY. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE NOISE STARTED, THE TIMING CHAIN DEVELOPED A PROBLEM AND LOUD RATTLING NOISES COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND WAS A SLOPPY RATTLE CONSISTENT WITH A TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER OR GUIDE BROKEN.
Power train, Engine, May 21, 2015
I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS MANY OTHERS. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING HARD SHIFTS, AND SHUTTERING WHILE ACCELERATING.
Air bags, Wheels, Engine, May 20, 2015, crash
A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECEIVING CARE.....UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF UPDATED 9/17/2015*JS
Air bags, Engine, May 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ALONG WITH THE JERKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Power train, Engine, May 13, 2015
VEHICLE CONTAINED A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES. WHEN THE COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID IT CREATES A FROTHY LIQUID THAT EATS VALVES, ERODES SEALS AND CAUSES CORROSION. ITS TOXIC, IRREVERSIBLE AND KILLED THE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM WAS LISTED AS THE 2ND WORST PROBLEM ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM'S "TOP VEHICLE PROBLEM TRENDS OF 2012". WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?!
Power train, Engine, May 2, 2015
TRANSMISSION COOLER ATTACHED TO RADIATOR CRACKED CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION LEADING TO FAILURE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE WHEN NEEDED AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power train, May 2, 2015
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Apr 24, 2015
I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER. WHEN I WAS PARKED THE TRUCK WOULD NOT HEAT UP ONLY COLD AIR WITH COME OUT. NEXT PROBLEM WAS WHEN I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE TRUCK WOULD JERK ALOT AND IT WOULD VIBRATE WHEN I WOULD SPEED UP. IT WAS VERY SCARY, IT ACTUALLY FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CAUSE ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, THAT'S HOW TERRIBLE IT FELT. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FOR THEM TO CHECK IT AND THEY IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE COOLANT MIXED INTO THE RADIATOR CAUSING FOR THAT TO GO BAD TOO. I CALLED THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS AFTER FINDING OUT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS EXPERIENCED BY SO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THIS JOB COST ME OVER $4000. *TR
Power train, Engine, Apr 22, 2015
GOT RECALL IN MAIL FOR RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION RECALL WHICH WE HAD TO PAY FOR?!?! OVER $2000. TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS HAD GONE BY AND HAVE HAD THE TRUCK TO THE GARAGE 3 TIMES DUE TO DAMAGE FROM TRANSMISSION. GOT IN TRUCK TO GO TO WORK TODAY YUP YOU GUESSED IT TRANSMISSION IS NOW SHOT PUT IN DRIVE AND DOESN'T GO. TOTALLY UNFAIR NISSAN SHOULD HAVE REPLACED IT WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER PAY FOR THERE SCREW UP? NEW TRANSMISSION $5000. WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN AND WILL MAKE SURE I TELL EVERYONE. SO FAR TO DATE $5000. TO TRY TO FIX UP NISSAN'S MESS AND THEN I'M TO SPEND ANOTHER $5000. ON THERE MISTAKE. HA TOTAL BULL!!!!! THEY SHOULD HAVE STOOD BY THERE PRODUCT AND REPLACED EVERYTHING AT NO COST TO THE OWNER!!! VERY UNHAPPY!! *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2015
NISSAN 112 REPORT (DATED 4/20/15) CUSTOMER CLAIMS TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AT 40 AND 60 MPH IT IS CHUGGING AND HOLDING BACK DIAGNOSIS: CAR NEEDS A TRANS AND RAD. THERE IS COOLANT INSIDE OF THE TRANS AND THERE IS TRANS FLUID IN THE RAD. THEY NEED TO REPL. RAD AND TRANSMISSION AND FLUSH OUT SYSTEM - EST. ON REPAIRS WOULD BE ABOUT $5500 TO $6000. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2015
TIMING CHAIN NOISE. I'LL STOP BY THE MECHANICS SHOP AND THEY SAID THIS IS THE PROBLEM NISSAN HAS A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY NISSAN.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 14, 2015
HAVE PROBLEM WITH COOLING SYSTEM LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. *TR