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2005 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2005 Pathfinder has 1,050 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the highest count of any Pathfinder model year listed[1][2]. More than half of those reports name the power train, so the transmission and cooling system deserve a close look before you buy[3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 1,050 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 12 injuries and 1 death[1]. These are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one part.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Power train[3] | 585 | 100,000 |
| Engine[5] | 433 | 99,000 |
| Fuel system, gasoline[6] | 186 | 64,585 |
| Electrical system[7] | 66 | 82,500 |
| Fuel system, other[8] | 61 | 60,000 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 40 | 111,000 |
| Speed control[10] | 31 | 106,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[11] | 31 | 101,000 |
Power train. This is the largest group, with 585 complaints[3]. In a sample of 12 power train complaints we read, 9 describe engine coolant from the radiator getting into the transmission[3]. Owners describe the transmission then slipping, shuddering or failing, and some report repair bills in the thousands of dollars[3]. A few also mention a vibration at highway speeds[3].
Engine. There are 433 engine complaints, with 4 injuries reported[5]. In the sample we read, owners describe a fuel gauge that reads wrong along with a check engine light, the engine shutting off or losing power while driving, and noise from belts, tensioners or timing parts[5].
Fuel gauge and fuel sender. The gasoline fuel system group has 186 complaints, and these reports come earlier than the power train and engine ones, at a median of 64,585 miles[6]. In a sample of 12 of these complaints, 10 describe a fuel gauge or distance-to-empty display that reads empty or does not move after a fill-up, often blamed on the fuel level sender[6]. Owners describe the check engine light coming on with it, and one says the car could not pass a state emissions test until the part was replaced[6].
Stalling. The electrical group is smaller, at 66 complaints[7]. In the sample we read, 7 of 12 describe the vehicle shutting down in traffic, often traced to the power distribution module or the fuse and relay box[7]. Recall 10V517 below deals with a relay in that module that can cause stalling[12].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Pathfinder[2]. Both cover other Nissan models too, and both include this car[12][13].
- Engine computer relay (10V517). A relay that feeds the engine computer sits inside the power distribution module. Over time, deposits can form on its contacts and the engine can stall while you drive, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the relay inside the module at no charge[12].
- Front air bag crash sensor (08V690). In states that use a lot of road salt, salty water can get inside the front crash zone sensor and rust it. The red air bag light comes on, and the front air bags may not deploy in a crash. Dealers replace the sensor with a redesigned one for cars sold or registered in the road-salt states named in the recall. Owners in other states received extended warranty coverage on the sensor to 10 years[13].
If you are buying one, ask for proof that recall 10V517 was done[12]. If the car was sold or registered in one of the road-salt states named in recall 08V690, ask for proof of that repair too[13]. A Nissan dealer can check the VIN.
Fuel economy
Both versions use a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine with an Automatic 5-spd transmission and regular fuel[4][14].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD (rear-wheel drive)[4] | 14 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| 4WD[14] | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 2005 Pathfinder 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 22.8%[15]. That is the only NHTSA star rating in our data for this model year.
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine for both the 2WD and 4WD versions[4][14]. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2005 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 170 | 0 |
| 1996 | 159 | 3 |
| 1997 | 217 | 2 |
| 1998 | 149 | 2 |
| 1999 | 104 | 2 |
| 2000 | 112 | 2 |
| 2001 | 230 | 3 |
| 2002 | 156 | 5 |
| 2003 | 110 | 3 |
| 2004 | 67 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1,050 | 2 |
| 2006 | 837 | 3 |
| 2007 | 561 | 1 |
| 2008 | 328 | 4 |
| 2009 | 37 | 3 |
| 2010 | 40 | 4 |
| 2011 | 45 | 2 |
| 2012 | 23 | 2 |
| 2013 | 890 | 11 |
| 2014 | 585 | 12 |
| 2015 | 321 | 6 |
| 2016 | 107 | 2 |
| 2017 | 186 | 2 |
| 2018 | 78 | 3 |
| 2019 | 76 | 2 |
| 2020 | 48 | 0 |
| 2022 | 136 | 5 |
| 2023 | 107 | 1 |
| 2024 | 86 | 2 |
| 2025 | 55 | 1 |
| 2026 | 12 | 0 |
With 1,050 complaints, 2005 has more than any other Pathfinder model year listed in NHTSA's records, which run from 1995 to 2026 with no entry for 2021[2]. The next highest are 2013 with 890 and 2006 with 837[2]. The year before, 2004, has 67 complaints, and 2009 has 37[2].
For recalls, 2005 has 2[2]. The 2013 and 2014 years have far more, with 11 and 12[2].
These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where owners reported trouble, not an exact failure rate.
Should you buy a used 2005 Pathfinder?
The 2005 Pathfinder has the highest complaint count of any Pathfinder year on file, and 585 of the reports name the power train[2][3]. Owner reports point to coolant getting into the transmission and to fuel gauge faults, so ask for repair records on the radiator, transmission and fuel sender[3][6]. Make sure recall 10V517 for stalling was done[12], and recall 08V690 for the front air bag sensor if the car comes from one of the road-salt states named in it[13]. Fuel economy is modest at 16 to 17 combined MPG[4][14]. A well-documented example with those repairs done is a fairer bet than one with no history.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?
- Power train has the most complaints with 585, followed by the engine with 433 and the gasoline fuel system with 186[3][5][6]. In the complaints we read, owners describe coolant leaking into the transmission and fuel gauges that read wrong[3][6].
- How many recalls does the 2005 Pathfinder have?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls[2]. Recall 10V517 replaces an engine computer relay that can cause stalling[12]. Recall 08V690 replaces a front crash sensor that can rust in road-salt states and stop the front air bags from deploying[13].
- What gas mileage does a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder get?
- The EPA rates the 2WD at 14 city, 21 highway and 17 combined MPG[4]. The 4WD gets 14 city, 19 highway and 16 combined MPG[14].
- Is the 2005 Pathfinder a reliable SUV?
- It has 1,050 NHTSA complaints, the most of any Pathfinder model year on file[1][2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, but it is a reason to check service records closely.
- Which Pathfinder years have the fewest complaints?
- Among the years listed, 2026 has 12, 2012 has 23 and 2009 has 37 complaints[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,050 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (14 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 12 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Pathfinder model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 585 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Pathfinder 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 433 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 186 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,585). NHTSA vehicle records
- 66 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 61 complaints name the fuel system, other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 40 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 111,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 10V517, filed October 28, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V690, filed December 29, 2008: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD XE: length 188 in, width 73 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,559 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD SE/LE: length 188 in, width 73 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,740 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD SE OFF-ROAD: length 188 in, width 73 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,782 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov