Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Owners filed 1,050 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Jan 2005 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is power train (585).
Complaints
1,050
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train585
- Engine and engine cooling290
- Fuel system, gasoline186
- Engine144
- Electrical system66
- Fuel system, other61
- Fuel/propulsion system31
- Vehicle speed control31
- Air bags22
- Structure14
- Equipment12
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Suspension9
- Steering9
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
10
12
11
28
45
259
120
157
132
86
70
55
20
18
7
7
5
2
3
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
Engine and engine cooling
290 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
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”
Engine
144 reports2 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated along with other several unknown warning lights. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.”
Electrical system
66 reports1 fire
“I am reporting a serious safety defect with my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle has an open recall for the airbag emblem (NHTSA #23E-012 / PC948), which is scheduled for inspection. However, I am writing today because I am also experiencing a repeated and dangerous malfunction that is unrelated to that recall: Total loss of dashboard lights and instruments while driving No throttle response even though the engine remains running Temporary function restored only by turning the vehicle off and restarting it on the roas This behavior matches known electrical failures in this model year, often related to the IPDM, ignition switch, or ECM communication. These are not cosmetic or maintenance issues—they are life-threatening. My vehicle has done this multiple times, including at highway speeds. When I contacted South Colorado Springs Nissan, I was told they would only inspect the airbag emblem and would not evaluate this issue unless I paid for diagnostics. I find this unacceptable given Nissan’s history with these failures and the high likelihood this is a known and unresolved defect. I am requesting: That this issue be escalated within Nissan North…”
Fuel system, other
61 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER FUEL LEVEL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO STATED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS FAILING. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.