CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005-2007 Pathfinder appears to have a widespread defect where coolant leaks into the transmission, causing transmission failure around 90,000 miles. Repair costs are typically upwards of $3,500.

According to the New York Times & a class action lawsuit, the defect actually extends through 2010 model year. More info here.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,384 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 8)

problem #144

Dec 012022

Pathfinder

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #143

Dec 082022

Pathfinder

  • miles
Car stalled out and won't restart.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #142

Mar 092021

Pathfinder

  • miles
While driving on US 95 in DC, MD and NJ, when the traffic became stop and go, my SUV could not get into 1st gear to go. The engine revved, the car shook and made noises. Several times I came close to being rear-ended. This problem also occurs when starting after a red light, when accelerating on a highway (usually 3rd or 4th gear), and when turning left on a green arrow. Not only has it caused many close calls with being rear-ended, but it has also incited road rage in people who are driving behind me. Now I'm told I need a new transmission and also a new coolant system which leaks due to a fault in the system known by Nissan, and pollutes the transmission. This is a terrible safety threat and Nissan should own up to it and pay for the repairs.

- Va Richmond, VA, USA

problem #141

May 152018

Pathfinder

  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In the last 4 years I've replaced emissions system brakes rotors air conditioning system exhaust system radiator and transmission. Car was vibrating shaking cutting out leaking exhaust fumes and emissions system failed.

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #140

Jul 052013

Pathfinder

  • 98,800 miles
Al encender el carro Y calentar para salir el vehculo enciende una luz Y en marcha el solo SE apaga en medio de las calles O carreteras. Los mecanismos lo chequeo Y junto al servicio de seguro ellos sacaron la conclusin la transmisin calienta los cables que van al motor que esto ES un problema de fbrica Y por esto yo tuve que rebelda la transmisin por $40.00 Y el seguro me aumento de $1000S a $ 4000S. No puedo usa mi carro que pague $200. Fui al diler de la Nissan Y ellos me dijeron tengo que pagar $165 para empezar Y despus me dirn E cuanto me cuenta el total del arreglo. No obstante con el diagnstico del ingeniero de mecnica del seguro state farm Y los 3 mecanismos que estuvieron en arreglo 1 de motor Y elctrico Y transmisin. He gastado mucho dinero Y no pueden hacer nada ni usar mi vehiculo. En que ustedes me pueden ayudar por amor a dios?

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #139

Aug 252020

Pathfinder

  • 159,000 miles
Vehicle cuts off while driving and also from time to time, will hesitate or refuse to crank/start. Noticed a recall in 2010 for ECM, which is documented to have been repaired in 2014. However these exact same issues are taking place with the vehicle now in 2020, does this mean the repair was completed with yet another faulty ECM. This vehicle places my family in danger while driving.

- Roopville, GA, USA

problem #138

Feb 012019

Pathfinder

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that there was a leak underneath the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be inspected. The contact was informed that the was coming from the brake lines. The contact was also informed that the brake fluid leak damaged the battery. The mechanic repaired brake line and replaced the battery however, the failure recurred with the battery. The vehicle was towed to the same independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the second failure. The vehicle was then towed to anderson Nissan (3842 AZ-95, lake havasu city, AZ 86404) who diagnosed the vehicle with a loose electrical connection with the battery relay. The vehicle was repaired and returned to the contact however, the failure recurred the next day. The contact had the battery replaced once again however, the battery failed for the third time. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the same dealer where they discovered a defective radiator which caused fluid to leak into the transmission. The vehicle was then diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA

problem #137

Oct 012018

Pathfinder

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would shut off and fail to immediately restart on several occasions. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #136

Apr 012017

Pathfinder

  • 162,108 miles
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 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. Safety risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #135

Oct 052017

Pathfinder

  • 133,657 miles
The issues with the vehicle began at 133834 miles. When driving, at times it would vibrate out of nowhere. After a stop, it would shift up hard or fail to downshift and then hit hard when it finally would go in to gear. Once I took it in to a mechanic, the following codes came up: P1731 - 1st gear logic error, P0430- cat efficiency bank 2, P0455- evap system leak large. The recommendation was "tear down". in the end, I had to replace my: Transmission, radiator, torque converter, valve body, valve body solenoids, catalytic converter bank 2, exhaust gaskets, oil pressure sensor, and oxygen sensor. With a total cost of $4,824.65. I will upload the services my Nissan Pathfinder had to have.

- St. Albans, WV, USA

problem #134

Dec 202013

Pathfinder

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I started having trouble with my car exceeding as I would push the gas petal. This started happening around 140,000 miles on the vehicle. I took in to a mechanic who stated that it may be the radiator. I purchased a new radiator and as he put it in he said it looked as if the fluids were mixed. I put all new fluids in the car. Still I couldn't get the car to exceed past 30 mph. I parked the car because of the cost in repair. I finally took it to the Nissan dealer who confirmed that it was my transmission that was gone in the car.

- Latta, SC, USA

problem #133

Dec 282017

Pathfinder

  • miles
My engine stops while in motion. I was driving on the interstate at a speed of 60 and all of a sudden my truck just looses power, the dashboard turned off and speed started to lower I pushed on the gas and it wouldn't respond. I was able to steer to the shoulder, my emergency lights wouldn't even turn on. As I was calling my husband all of a sudden it turned on on it's on. It was a horrible experience. There was a recall they fix back on 2011 dealing with the ECM relay. I called viva Nissan on zaragoza located in el paso, tx and the girl wouldn't help she told me to call 1800nissan1.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #132

Oct 022017

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 145,000 miles
TAKATA RECALL IM WRITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN REGARDS TO MY 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. ON 10/2/2017 MY VEHICLE GAVE ME SOME ISSUES OF NOT WANTING TO TURN ON. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND ALL GIVING ME THE SAME DIAGNOSIS AND ADVISING ME TO TAKE IT TO TOWN NORTH NISSAN IN AUSTIN TEXAS. THE SERVICE AGENT ([XXX]) ALSO GAVE ME THE SAME DIAGNOSIS (THE MODULE IPDM) NEEDED TO GET CHANGED. THEY GAVE ME A PRICE ON THE COST AND TOLD ME THE DATE MY TRUCK WOULD BE READY FOR PICK UP. MY TRUCK WAS IN THEIR SHOP SINCE 10/25/2017 AND THEY TOLD MY MY CAR WOULD BE READY 10/31/2017 AFTER 12:30 PM. SO I CALLED TO GET AN UPDATE SO I COULD PICK UP MY TRUCK. AFTER ALL THIS TIME ([XXX]) TOLD ME THAT MY TRUCK ACTUALLY NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE RADIATOR MIXED TOTALLY RUINING MY ENGINE. AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ($5,900) TO FIX IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS AND ARTICLE THAT SAYS THAT THE NCCC HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IN REGARDS TO THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE I HAVE. I NEED SOME HELP ON HOW TO APPROACH NISSAN IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NISSAN REALLY KNEW ABOUT THEY HAVE TO BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF MY CAR. PLEASE HELP.... MY # [XXX] WEBSITE I GOT THE RECALL FROM : HTTPS://WWW.NCCONSUMER.ORG/NEWS-ARTICLES/RECALL-FOR-NISSAN-TRANSMISSION-FAILURE-NCCC-PETITIONS-FOR-RADIATOR-DEFECT-INVESTIGATION.HTML?GCLID=CJ0KCQJW4EXPBRCTARISADVOJY0QVVHEMTVWK-APD5AAGNODQA67JZEI9NLYMKNG8-WX2OHTWUA2X4MAAU97EALW_WCB INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #131

Oct 202017

Pathfinder

  • 14,556 miles
Traqnsmittion oil in coolant had to have shop flush out raiadiator and coolant system and replace oil cooler transmition seems to be sliping

- Green Bay, WI, USA

problem #130

Apr 052014

Pathfinder

  • 103,000 miles
Not sure if this is the right choice but I am filing a complaint about my radiator and transmission w fluids mixing this vehicle has had do many issues I have spent a fortune which I do not have. All I wat is peace of mind knowing I will reach my destination safely. I ask that Nissan take responsibilty and recall these defective radiators

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #129

Jul 012017

Pathfinder

  • 130 miles
My vehicle shut off on me when I was driving on highway, after it started to smoke like burning plastic. I took to my mechanic and he checked it out and I was told my raidator brusted in my transmission. It's not drive able at all.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #128

May 132017

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,377 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. After the contact placed fuel in the vehicle, the contact restarted the engine and noticed that the fuel gauge indicator on the instrument panel showed empty the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and the contact needed to pay for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,377. Updated 07/11/17

- Eureka, CA, USA

problem #127

Feb 042017

Pathfinder

  • miles
On 2-4-2017 my timing chain system began making a loud raddling noise

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #126

Jan 302017

Pathfinder

  • 140,000 miles
The vehicle was making a high-pitched noise during acceleration @ apprx. 2000 rpms. Additionally, I had recently noticed sluggish and uneven acceleration. Upon taking it to the dealer, I was informed that there was a problem with the inner timing chain and tension guide/shoe, a worn drive belt and drive belt tensioner, and a stuck fan belt clutch. In addition, I was told that there is also potential damage to the inner timing cover. Nissan is aware that there is a defect with the timing chain and tension guide/shoe. The defect could cause the timing chains to slip - which would lead to immediate engine damage - and create a potentially dangerous situation in traffic. In addition, the faulty part could cause other engine issues (like the ones reported).

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #125

Nov 232016

Pathfinder

  • 110,000 miles
Radiator coolant leaked into the transmission rendering useless. Corroded and destroyed whole interior of transmission.

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

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