Severe Issues

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. This model year has 1,050 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.

1,050
Complaints
14
Crashes
6
Fires
12
Injuries
1
Deaths
4
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2005 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
585
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:5
Fires:5
#2
434
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:3
Fires:3
Injuries:4
#3
247
complaints

Fuel System

Crash-related:2
Injuries:2

Considering a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Transmission / Drivetrain58555β€”
Engine Problems43433β€”
Fuel System2472β€”β€”
Gasoline1862β€”β€”
Electrical Faults66β€”1β€”
Other61β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues40β€”1β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System31β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration31β€”β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions224β€”β€”
Brake System1841β€”
Structural Problems14β€”β€”β€”
Equipment12β€”β€”β€”
Hydraulic101β€”β€”
Suspension Failures9β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects9β€”β€”β€”
Visibility7β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)4β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues21β€”β€”
Wheel Issues21β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”β€”β€”
Electric1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 400 most recent complaints of 1,050 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Electrical FaultsJul 15, 2025

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 dangerou…

Airbag MalfunctionsFeb 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed the front passenger’s side air bag was defective and needed to be replaced. The …

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 30, 2024

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 th…

Airbag MalfunctionsMay 22, 2023

The component that is malfunctioning is the emblem on the airbags. Nissan has known of this issue for a while. In the event of a crash, when the airbags deploy, the emblem will also explode with the airbags and send shrapnel from it flying towards the driver and nearby passengers…

Airbag MalfunctionsApr 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceede…

Engine ProblemsMar 20, 2023

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 …

Airbag MalfunctionsDec 8, 2022

Car stalled out and won't restart.

Airbag MalfunctionsNov 10, 2022

Air Bag Front Impact Sensor has failed due to road salt. Not covered under recall because someone doesn't think Virginia uses road salt.

Uncategorized IssuesAug 8, 2021

I got this vehicle from my parents which they bought brand new . So no other owners . When I got it was acting up and took to repair . They said my radiator was bad and had leaked radiator fluid . They thought could replace radiator and flush the system . I started looking at iss…

Transmission / DrivetrainJul 24, 2021

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…

Transmission / DrivetrainMay 17, 2021

Transmission began to fail suddenly, resulting in a situation where the car would not accelerate in busy traffic.

Transmission / DrivetrainApr 30, 2021

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.

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 14, 2021

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 …

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 28, 2020

OVER HEATS, COOLENT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 4, 2020

STARTED UP DROVE FINE THEN WHEN I STOPPED IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TURNED OFF WENT THROUGH GEARS COUPLE TIMES AND HAD TO DO THAT 3 TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD ACCELERATE AND SHIFT. I DROVE 50 MILES HOME NEXT DAY IT DID SAME THING AFTER DRIVING 1/2 MILE. GOES INTO REVERSE BUT WILL NOT G…

Engine ProblemsAug 25, 2020

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 TH…

Uncategorized IssuesπŸ”₯ FireJul 12, 2020

VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE, THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOTAL LOSS 7/12/2020. NOT AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING.

Electrical FaultsJun 9, 2020

TL* 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 I…

Suspension FailuresApr 15, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE THERE WA…

Fuel/Propulsion SystemJan 4, 2020

I HAS TO REPLACE THE 2 GASKETS ON THE OIL GALLEY GASKET IN THE TIMING COVER. IT COAT ME OVER 1000 DOLLARS AND I HAD A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA THAT HAD 5HE SAME PROBLEM AND IT COST BE THOUSANDS TO FIX AND I HAD TO JUNK IT BECAUSE IT SMOKED SO MUCH THEN VALVE TRAIN GOT F RIED..

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder.

Recalls for 2005 Nissan Pathfinder

4 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

10E019000Invalid Date
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

10V517000Invalid Date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

08V690000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

07E046000Mar 7, 2007
EQUIPMENT

2005 Nissan Pathfinder β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder has 1,050 NHTSA owner complaints, 14 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (585 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?β–Ύ

#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (585 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (434 complaints). #3: Fuel System (247 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?β–Ύ

The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder has 14 crash-related complaints and 6 fire reports out of 1,050 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?β–Ύ

The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Pathfinder reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2005 Nissan Pathfinder

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.