IllustrationANOTHER CAR STOPPED QUICKLY IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. UPON INSPECTION AFTER THE ACCIDENT I SAW THAT BOTH BOLTS HOLDING THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE VACUUM CANISTER WERE BROKEN, (PULLED APART).
2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Pathfinder years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
260–25K
5625–50K
20650–75K
29075–100K
318100–150K
60150K+
956 reports with mileage · 94 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 585 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 290 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 186 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports
Service Brakes complaints
7 reportsGOOD DAY! MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM WRITING REGARDING A POTENTIAL LETHAL INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. DURING MY LUNCH BREAK ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 APPROXIMATELY 12:30PM, I WAS WAITING (WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NO INKLING OF A PROBLEM) TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PLAZ…
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GOOD DAY! MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I AM WRITING REGARDING A POTENTIAL LETHAL INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. DURING MY LUNCH BREAK ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 APPROXIMATELY 12:30PM, I WAS WAITING (WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NO INKLING OF A PROBLEM) TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PLAZA PARKING LOT. WHEN I WENT TO PROCEED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, MY FOOT WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND I HIT THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS A LADY WHO CAME TO CHECK ON ME, SHE WAS THE CAR NEXT TO ME ON THE RIGHT WHO HAD HER DOOR OPEN AND I WAS WAITING ON IN ORDER TO PULL INTO THE DESIRED PARKING SPOT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK TO ASSESS THE DAMAGES WE BOTH DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME THE WHOLE BRAKE ARM HAD COME DETACHED AND WAS LYING ON MY DRIVER FLOOR! PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. I AM INQUIRING TO ANY PRODUCT LIABILITIES AND ANY OTHER POTENTIAL DETRIMENTAL THREATS OF THIS NATURE TO ANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS. CURRENTLY THE AUTOMOBILE IS AT THE DEALER'S. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN A AUTOMOBILE THAT THE BRAKE FALLS OFF AND HAVE MANY RESERVATIONS ABOUT EVEN GETTING THIS TRUCK REPAIRED. ANY ASSISTANCE IN GETTING ANY RESOLUTION TO THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. MY CONTACT INFO IS AS FOLLOWS: [XXX] SINCEREST GRATITUDE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SORTS OF ISSUES STARTING WITH THE BRAKES WHEN ONE BRAKE SHOE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED AND EVIDENTLY RUPTURED BRAKE LINES AT AROUND 61,000 MILES. NEW BRAKE REPLACEMENT ALMOST $900. SINCE THAT TIME (THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 75000 MILES) THE TRANSMISSION HAS CONTINUALLY SLIPPED, THE GAS GAUGES AND ALL OTHER GAUGES…
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THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SORTS OF ISSUES STARTING WITH THE BRAKES WHEN ONE BRAKE SHOE TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED AND EVIDENTLY RUPTURED BRAKE LINES AT AROUND 61,000 MILES. NEW BRAKE REPLACEMENT ALMOST $900. SINCE THAT TIME (THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 75000 MILES) THE TRANSMISSION HAS CONTINUALLY SLIPPED, THE GAS GAUGES AND ALL OTHER GAUGES WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND THE EMISSIONS TEST LAST MONTH SHOWED POSSIBLE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES (THERE ARE EVIDENTLY TWO). WHEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED I GET RID OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOTORIOUS FOR CROSS CONTAMINATION OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID. CONTINUING TO DRIVE IT WOULD EVENTUALLY DESTROY THE TRANSMISSION, AND EVEN NOW MAY HAVE PERMANENT DAMAGE. WHEN CONTACTING NISSAN ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS AND THE SUPPOSED SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CONCERNING THE TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED DOCUMENTATION OF ALL SERVICE DONE TO THE VEHICLE TO RECEIVE $800 TOWARD THE NECESSARY $3800 REPAIR COST JUST FOR THE CONTAMINATION LEAK. IF ANYONE IS CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS OR ANY OTHER NISSAN PRODUCT, I WOULD AVOID IT AT ALL COST.
ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS LIKE IT HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. MY BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING PROPERLY BUT I GOT US OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. AFTER OUR REPAIR GUY CHECKED ALL THE WIRING AND RAN TEST AND PULLED THE TRANSMISSION PAN OFF THE RADIATOR COOLANT HA…
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ME AND MY 6 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS LIKE IT HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. MY BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING PROPERLY BUT I GOT US OFF THE ROAD AND HAD THE CAR TOWED. AFTER OUR REPAIR GUY CHECKED ALL THE WIRING AND RAN TEST AND PULLED THE TRANSMISSION PAN OFF THE RADIATOR COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FULL RESULTING IN THE GEARS MESSING UP AND THE ENTIRE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. WE KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAD CONTACTED NISSAN 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO CHECK THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN FIXED....OBVIOUSLY NOT. IF IT HAD BEEN FIXED IT WASN'T FIXED PROPERLY OR IT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AGAIN MANY TRIPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN SINCE THEN AND NOW WE ARE OVER 100,000 MILES AND IT'S A $3800 FIX BECAUSE NISSAN EITHER LIED AND IT WAS NEVER FIXED TO START WITH OR DIDN'T CORRECTLY FIX IT THE FIRST TIME. *TR
AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED TWICE (3/12 AND 10/12) AS I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON, CAR DIED. I HAD NO POWER AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SLOWING FOR THE LENGTH BETWEEN TWO EXITS UNTIL I COULD STEER INTO GUARDRAIL TO STOP THE VEH…
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AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED TWICE (3/12 AND 10/12) AS I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON, CAR DIED. I HAD NO POWER AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY SLOWING FOR THE LENGTH BETWEEN TWO EXITS UNTIL I COULD STEER INTO GUARDRAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. CAR WAS SMOKING, COOLANT SYSTEM MECHANIC THINKS LET GO AND ENGINE CRACKED, NISSAN REFUSES TO BUY BACK CAR THAT WAS A LEMON IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT THEY DID NOT FIX. *TR
I HAVE CHANGED 2 CEPAIRATLOTAY COVERTER AT 8600 THEN 6 MOS LATER MY TARMISSIONS NEED TO BE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE I HAD TO STOP ABRUPTLY AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND I HAD TO PRESS IT EXTREMELY HARD FOR THEM TO RESPOND THEY MADE A WEIRD SOUND AND ALSO WHEN I CHANGED FROM PARKING TO DRIVE, IT MADE A STRONG NOISE AND WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE IT. *TR
Official recalls
210V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 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 & remedy
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.
08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.