2005 Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder ranks 3rd worst out of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 89 and 1,050 NHTSA complaints, most tied to transmission and engine problems. It carries an Avoid verdict, with 2 recalls covering the IPDM engine control relay and front airbag sensors.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 20 Pathfinder years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,050
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 1
Top 2005 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain585 (56%)
- Engine447 (43%)
- Fuel System276 (26%)
- Electrical System66 (6%)
- Other50 (5%)
- Airbags22 (2%)
- Brakes22 (2%)
- Structure & Body19 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (1%)
- Steering9 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles lunge or jerk forward unexpectedly at low speed or from a stop, sometimes striking objects.
- Transmission slips or fails to engage, including loss of reverse gear, often accompanied by a warning light.
- Sudden loss of acceleration power at highway speed, sometimes with a burning smell or smoke from under the hood.
- Fuel level sensor failures cause inaccurate readings and reports of the vehicle shutting off at high speed.
- Fuel tank punctures after road debris contact, leading to fuel leaks.
- Electrical or engine-related fires reported while driving, in some cases preceded by a jerking motion during acceleration.
2005 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V517000Oct 28, 2010Engine747,480 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 08V690000Dec 29, 2008Airbags242,720 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: 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.
2005 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,925
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Pathfinder ranks 3rd worst among 20 model years, with a complaint index of 89 and an Avoid verdict. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 56% of complaints.
- What are the main problems with the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?
- Transmission and powertrain issues account for 56% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 43% and fuel system issues at 26%. Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 90,074 miles.
- Does the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for an engine control module relay inside the IPDM assembly, and one for front airbag crash sensors that could fail to deploy the airbag.
- How does the 2005 Pathfinder compare to other Pathfinder years?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 89, worse than most other years except 2013 (100) and 2014 (95). Years like 2011 and 2012 score far lower, at 5 and 0, and carry Best verdicts.
- What mileage do Pathfinder transmission problems usually appear at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 100,000 miles for transmission and powertrain complaints on the 2005 Pathfinder.