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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 1,050 owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve power train (585) and engine and engine cooling (290). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–17mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2010
Owner complaints
1,050
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 28, 2010NHTSA 10V517000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2010NHTSA 10E019000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 29, 2008NHTSA 08V690000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,050 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Jul 2025
  1. Power train585
  2. Engine and engine cooling290
  3. Fuel system, gasoline186
  4. Engine144
  5. Electrical system66
  6. Fuel system, other61
  7. Fuel/propulsion system31
  8. Vehicle speed control31
  9. Air bags22

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Pathfinder model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996159
1997225
1998149
1999113
2000128
2001239
2002171
2003110
200467
20051,050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013891
2014575
2015321
2016107
2017188
201878
201976
202053
2022137
2023107
202487
202558
202615
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

585 reports5 crashes5 fires
“The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to immediately restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The dynamic control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Voluntary Recall Campaign: PC068. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2024Power trainODI 11568803

Engine and engine cooling

290 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (MELLOY NISSAN, 7707 LOMAS BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110, (505) 545-6420) FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND INQUIRED ABOUT FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE DEALER FOUND NO FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND THE FLUID SEEPED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE REPAIR COST WOULD EXCEED $5,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,957.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2018Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 11121669

Fuel system, gasoline

186 reports2 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2016Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, EngineODI 10919161
All 2005 Pathfinder problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142117$3,800523
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 1429
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 1,050 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (585), engine and engine cooling (290), fuel system, gasoline (186). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026