2005 Nissan Pathfinder
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 19 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 40 |
| 1991 | 40 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 49 |
| 1994 | 101 |
| 1995 | 170 |
| 1996 | 159 |
| 1997 | 217 |
| 1998 | 149 |
| 1999 | 104 |
| 2000 | 112 |
| 2001 | 230 |
| 2002 | 156 |
| 2003 | 110 |
| 2004 | 67 |
| 2005 | 1050 |
| 2006 | 837 |
| 2007 | 561 |
| 2008 | 328 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 45 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 890 |
| 2014 | 574 |
| 2015 | 320 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 185 |
| 2018 | 77 |
| 2019 | 75 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2022 | 134 |
| 2023 | 103 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 49 |
| 2026 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
56% of complaints: power train — 591 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN A CARPORT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT A METAL POLE AND DENTED MY FRONT BUMPER. SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE INCIDENT I NOTICED THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD (A FEW TIMES) AS I ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120920
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON AUGUST 11TH, 2012 WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ROLLING IN TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 40 TO45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ACCELERATING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120821
Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240130
28% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 294 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing cooling system and radiator assembly.
CRASH FIRE18% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 191 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing auxillary tank and fuel pump.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
2005 PATHFINDER SE- WITH 52K MILES VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED (70MPH) ON FREEWAY- ALL POWER CONTROLS FAILED PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE WITH A FAILURE OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR- REPORTS ACQUIRED INDICATE THAT THIS IS A...
NHTSA ODI report, 20100224
14% of complaints: engine — 144 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: OPENS NEW WINDOW TAKES AWAY FROM VIN LOOKUP SECTION> 10V-517 RECALL DATE: OCTOBER 28, 2010 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: PC068 SUMMARY: THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20180311
6% of complaints: electrical system — 66 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
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: 1010476
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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, MA
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. THE
Campaign 08V690000 — check if this car was fixed
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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) ASSEM
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.
Campaign 10V517000 — check if this car was fixed
Transmission Failures
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (591 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (294 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (191 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 07E046000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V690000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E019000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 56% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.