CarModelProblems.com

2005 Nissan Pathfinder Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 6.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
1,050Complaints
4Recalls
14Crashes
6Fires
12Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (42.9% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.

Power Train complaints here are 6.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train450 · 42.9%Investigation closedDP12004
Engine And Engine Cooling171 · 16.3%RecalledRecall 10V517000
Fuel System, Gasoline167 · 15.9%No official action
Engine144 · 13.7%RecalledRecall 10V517000
Power Train:automatic Transmission138 · 13.1%Investigation closedDP12004
Electrical System65 · 6.2%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN450 · 42.9%
ENGINE144 · 13.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM65 · 6.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM64 · 6.1%
Unspecified / other40 · 3.8%
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER38 · 3.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY32 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 1,050 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 10E019000 · 2010 · reported 05/20/2010

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 10V517000 · 2010 · reported 10/28/2010

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 08V690000 · 2008 · reported 12/29/2008

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 07E046000 · 2007 · reported 07/03/2007

THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER MY RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID INTO THE TRANNY COOLING LINES. ITS BEEN TO NISSAN 2-3 TIMES. FINALLY THERE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANNY…”NHTSA complaint 10305941 — filed 02/04/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. JUST A COUPLE OF SHORT WEEKS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STRANGE VIBRATION…”NHTSA complaint 10303654 — filed 02/01/2010 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“I AM GETTING OBDII CODES (P0463) AND "CHECK ENGINE" SIGN IS ON EVEN AFTER RESET. ONCE MY FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 3/4 AND I…”NHTSA complaint 10303370 — filed 01/30/2010 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

17620112502452013143110201571252017241020198102021332023312025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 450 of 1,050 NHTSA complaints (42.9%), followed by engine and engine cooling (171), fuel system, gasoline (167), engine (144). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have?

1,050 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10E019000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.