2005 Nissan PATHFINDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,050 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
90,048 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 955 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 450 of 1,050 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 636 | 60.6% |
| Engine operation | 90 | 8.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 75 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 42 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 2.2% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 450 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 171 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 167 |
| Engine | 144 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 138 |
| Electrical System | 65 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 64 |
| Unknown Or Other | 40 |
Power Train: 450; Engine And Engine Cooling: 171; Fuel System, Gasoline: 167; Engine: 144; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 138; Electrical System: 65; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 64; Unknown Or Other: 40
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 56 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 206 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 290 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 318 |
| 150,000 and above | 59 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 56; 50,000 to 74,999: 206; 75,000 to 99,999: 290; 100,000 to 149,999: 318; 150,000 and above: 59
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (318). 95 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 28 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2010 | 259 |
| 2011 | 120 |
| 2012 | 157 |
| 2013 | 132 |
| 2014 | 86 |
| 2015 | 70 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2005: 10; 2006: 12; 2007: 11; 2008: 28; 2009: 45; 2010: 259; 2011: 120; 2012: 157; 2013: 132; 2014: 86; 2015: 70; 2016: 55; 2017: 20; 2018: 18; 2019: 7; 2020: 7; 2021: 5; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 636 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 90 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 75 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10105461 · 2005-01-26 (January 26, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING BELOW 25 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION TWICE. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE SAME LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125372 · 2005-06-15 (June 15, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER HAD A RENTAL VEHICLE AND THE HATCHBACK COMES UP WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN OPENED THE ITEMS THAT ARE IN THE VEHICLE WILL COME OUT. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT A LAWN MOWER CAME OUT AND HIT HER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10125372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130097 · 2005-08-23 (August 23, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, AND WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD IT HAPPENED TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. UNTIL THEY COULD DO SO THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132790 · 2005-08-14 (August 14, 2005)
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN HITTING A BUMP. THE TRUCK ROCKS VIOLENTLY DIAGONALLY AND THE VEHICLE SWAYS OUT OF THE LANE. THE TRUCK BOTTOMS OUT CONSTANTLY SINCE IT WAS NEW WITH NO LOAD IN IT. AFTER SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS I FEEL ITS TIME TO NOTIFY SOMEONE. I PLAN ON BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY CAN DO..I THINK ITS A DESIGN FLAW. I DRIVE A FORD ESCAPE EVERY DAY TO WORK. IT ALSO HAS INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION, IT NEVER...NEVER BOTTOMS OUT OR BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE AFTER HITTING…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10132790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136327 · 2005-09-13 (September 13, 2005)
2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN HITTING A BUMP. THE VEHICLE ROCKS VIOLENTLY DIAGONALLY AND THE VEHICLE SWAYS OUT OF THE LANE. THE VEHICLE ALSO BOTTOMS OUT CONSTANTLY SINCE IT WAS NEW WITH NO LOAD IN IT. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED A FIX BY REPROGRAMMING THE VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL, THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 40 MPH. DRIVER FEELS AS IF HE HAS LOST TOTAL CONTROL WHEN HITTING A BUMP. I FOLLOWED MY WIFE WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT APPEAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137751 · 2005-09-16 (September 16, 2005)
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS GETTING THE 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED.*MR FOUR DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THREE OUT OF 10 DAYS AND HAD TO BE TOWED. TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS A LEMON AND WANT TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10137751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143438 · 2005-11-22 (November 22, 2005)
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE HAS A LOUD SQUEAK/VIBRATION COMING FROM THE UNDERBODY. DEALER (RAMSEY NISSAN - RAMSEY, NJ) HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SOURCE OF THE LOUD SQUEAK/VIBRATION IS DUE TO THE CHANGE IN DESIGN FOR THE "FUEL PUMP SPRING ASSEMBLY". APPARENTLY, THE 2004 PATHFINDER HAD A 2 SPRING DESIGN WHICH WAS CHANGED TO A 1 SPRING DESIGN IN 2005. ONCE THE FUEL TANK BECOMES PRESSURIZED (CAR RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES), A LOUD, CONSTANT, AND OBTRUSIVE SQUEAK/VIBRATION COMES FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. TO DATE, NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE A FI…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10144367 · 2005-12-03 (December 3, 2005)
MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, THAT I GOT AFTER NISSAN DID A BUY BACK TO MY 2004 NISSAN QUEST (WITH A LOT OF PROBLEMS),HAS A RATTLE SOUND COMING FROM THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS WHEN THEY ARE OPEN. THEY SOUND LIKE THEY ARE LOOSE INSIDE THE DOOR. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. THEY REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO NISSAN. UNTIL NOW I AM WAITING FOR THE SOLUTION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144367 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V690000 · Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2008-12-29 (December 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2010-10-28 (October 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗