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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,254 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2005 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 8 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Aug 162008

Pathfinder

  • 45,000 miles

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

Fuel sending/sensing unit on 2005 Pathfinder 4X2. Service engine light comes on and vehicle is not able to inform on fuel left on tank. Not the only one with this issue. www.topix.com/forum/autos/Nissan-Pathfinder/tmvjfugon9rd4eb8I.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #26

Jul 042009

Pathfinder

  • 54,350 miles
Many Nissan vehicles have failed fuel sensor units. Nissan refuses to replace free of charge or to issue a recall. It is is safety hazard not to know how much gas is in your vehicle. Especially when more than one driver have access to the vehicle. By googling the problem I found out that many Nissan owners have this fuel sensor bug. Several Nissan models are effected.

- Media, PA, USA

problem #25

Mar 152009

Pathfinder

  • 62,000 miles
We have a squeaking underneath our vehicle and it smells like gas. After researching it online we found out that there is problems with the fuel pump assembly and that there is no recall. We are worried that our vehicle could be leaking gas due to the change in the fuel pump assembly from the 2004 to the 2005 model. Our gas gauge reads incorrectly and the check engine comes on so we suspect it has to do with the gasoline smell and the squeaking. We think that there must be a hole somewhere that has occurred from the constant rubbing of the fuel pump assembly.

- Teec Nos Pos, AZ, USA

problem #24

Sep 162008

Pathfinder

  • 37,433 miles

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

I filled up my gas tank and it didn't register a few days later the check engine light came on I took it to the dealership who informed me that my warranty expired a month ago and I was almost 1,000 miles over the warranty limitation. So because of this I would have to pay anywhere from $400-$800, which I don't have we're in a recession. Also while I was driving to nursing school one morning the 2005 Pathfinder I was driving just stopped in the midst of morning rush hour traffic in the dead of a cold blistering winter morning. Later that day I took the vehicle to Firestone who gave me a printout to take to the Nissan dealership for the fuel sensor problem that seems to be apparent in this model as well as others. Again Nissan wasn't willing to fix this problem. I pray that you guys can help us Nissan owners who have invested our hard earned money into a vehicle of this type which by the way isn't a cheap vehicle, to alleviate this problem by asking Nissan to take ownership of the faulty products that they're selling so that we don't have an additional out-of-pocket expense because of a problem that is truly no fault of our own. Obviously this is a safety issue and problem because my vehicle didn't pass inspection. So please help us millions of consumers who are having this problem get corrected through Nissan its the right thing to do since this problem existed in other models and previous models they should make a better product or correct the problem as they occur. Nissan is a reputable company and unlike other automobile dealerships they're doing quite well so they can afford to keep us as customers happy by correcting their fuel system problems.

- Upper Darby, PA, USA

problem #23

Jan 152009

Pathfinder

  • 65,000 miles
"I had 1/4 of a tank of gas and went to fill up. After filling up my gas tank, I turned on the car, at which point the needle did not register the full tank. After driving a couple miles, the check engine light came on. I went directly to the dealer and was told that it was a fuel sending unit/sensor and that it was no longer covered after 30K miles. After returning home and doing research, I went online to X.nissanhelp.com after performing a search, I came across many others who have experienced the same problem. Apparently it has something to do with the fuel sending unit. A similar problem was found on the 2000-2004 xterra models and a recall was performed when the vehicle would stop after not getting any fuel, posing a great danger. It seems that something in the unit is faulty and will corrode over time. There is a general consensus that everyone who is having the problem is experiencing the same thing after having the vehicle for over 2 yrs and with around 39K-49K. If this problem existed in previous models, and it was recalled, the 2005-2007 xterras, frontiers, and Pathfinders should get this fixed at no charge to the customer!! why wait for accidents and possible deaths, especially since the problem lies in an integral part of the vehicle. Cost of repair ranges from $300-600."

- Lindenwold, NJ, USA

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problem #22

Feb 062009

Pathfinder

  • 53,000 miles
Starting in Feb. 009 with approx 53K miles fuel gauge started acting as if there was no fuel after filling up check engine light came on took to Nissan dealer said fuel sensor was faulty after searching complaints on this site apparently not the first to experience. Sister in law also has a 2005 Pathfinder with the same problem is anything being done by Nissan to rectify this situation.

- Waynesboro, VA, USA

problem #21

Feb 102009

Pathfinder

  • 45,500 miles

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

2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE - with approximately 45,500 miles, service engine soon light illuminated, dte reading indicated -----, and analog gas gauge read nearly empty. Having filled up that morning, I knew I had a full tank. Local parts store read the trucks computer indicating a faulty fuel sending unit. After internet research, this seems to be a systemic problem with the Nissan Pathfinder and other Nissan SUV's. would like Nissan take responsibility for their defect and make repairs at no cost to the consumer.

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #20

Mar 152009

Pathfinder

  • 67,000 miles
My fuel level sensor went out on a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Online research shows that this is a known issue with Nissan xterras, Pathfinders and frontiers. This leads to incorrect fuel gauge readings and 'distance to end' reading.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #19

Mar 052009

Pathfinder

  • 65,000 miles
Fuel sending unit went out it my 2005 Pathfinder. After reading forums and other internet sites. I am finding this is a major problem with Nissan xterra's and Pathfinders from 2005 to 2007. Got a quote from a couple shops and its going to cost me anywhere from $350 to $450 to replace.

- Milledgeville, IL, USA

problem #18

Jan 152009

Pathfinder

  • 65,000 miles
My fuel gage is not working and it is estimated to me that it will cost $600 to get it fixed and the real bummer of it is that I cannot get my new tag registration while my check engine light is on. I can keep up with the mileage but it is a real pain in the neck. I have several friends that have Pathfinders and armada that have had the same issues but their was paid for with their warranty. Since I drive so much for work mine is not covered. One of my friends has had to bring their in 5 different times to get it fixed. It should be recalled if they are having so many issues with it. It will cause deaths if I run out of gas on the interstate.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

problem #17

Feb 282009

Pathfinder

  • 68,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Since January of 2009, the fuel gauge has failed to display the correct amount of fuel in the vehicle. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because it is important to know how much fuel is in the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 68,000.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #16

Feb 052009

Pathfinder

  • 41,000 miles
For a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE with 41,000 miles. "service engine soon" light came on and dealer informed me the problem is a failed fuel level sending unit. After returning home and doing research, I went online to X.nissanhelp.com after performing a search, I came across many others who have experienced the same problem. Apparently it has something to do with the fuel sending unit. A similar problem was found on the 2000-2004 xterra models and a recall was performed when the vehicle would stop after not getting any fuel, posing a great danger. It seems that something in the unit is faulty and will corrode over time. There is a general consensus that everyone who is having the problem is experiencing the same thing after having the vehicle for over 2 yrs and with around 39K-49K. If this problem existed in previous models, and it was recalled, the 2005-2007 xterras, frontiers, and Pathfinders should get this fixed at no charge to the customer!! why wait for accidents and possible deaths, especially since the problem lies in an integral part of the vehicle. Cost of repair ranges from $300-600. Reference Nissan technical service bulletin ntb07-69A. Recommend consumer-initiated recall of fuel pump and fuel level sending unit.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #15

Jan 012009

Pathfinder

  • 28,500 miles
Service engine light came on at 28,500 miles on my 2005 Pathfinder. Soon after I noticed my fuel light came on with my fuel gauge showing empty. I just filled it with gas prior to this happening. I thought someone stole my gas and was going to call the police. I tried putting more gas, but it was completely full. My boyfriend drove it up and down hills and after making some sharp turns, the fuel gauge started to go up and then the service engine light went off. When the fuel gauge went to the half way point today, once again, the service engine light came on and my fuel gauge shows empty again! this is very dangerous and I have a young child that travels with me. I have researched this problem and found thousands of complaints on this same issue! why is there no recall? please don't wait until someone gets hurt or even dies!

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #14

Sep 272008

Pathfinder

  • 60,000 miles
My 2005 Pathfinder's fuel gauge was working correctly until about 60,000 miles. I had about a quarter tank of gas and filled up. When I started the car the gas gauge said the tank was empty and the service engine light was on. The dealership quoted $600 to replace the sensor and said it was covered under the warranty. I've researched this issue and seems to be common. It's a safety hazard that should be fixed at the manufacturer's expense.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #13

Jul 162007

Pathfinder

  • 59,500 miles
Filled up my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (6cyl) and noticed that the gauge was reading "empty". minutes later my service engine light came on. I know about the issue with the gas cap, so I made sure it was installed correctly. This mis-reading lasted for 2 days, then corrected itself. This has occurred 2xs and is a dangerous situation. Nissan has a moral obligation to fix this problem, but from want I am reading, they refuse to. What a shame.

- Independence, KS, USA

problem #12

Oct 152008

Pathfinder

  • 62,000 miles
Fuel level sensor stopped working on 2005 Pathfinder after normal fillup. Gas gauge no marks total empty after fill up and will act erratic at times. There are numerous other complaints for the same thing on Pathfinders of the same and more recent years. Nissan will not replace the part for free which could cause a safety hazard if car suddenly runs out of gas.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #11

Oct 012008

Pathfinder

  • 56,000 miles
I have a 2005 Pathfinder that recently had the service light came on after filling up the gas tank, gauge stop working as well. I've replaced the gas cap with no success. I've research the problem and realized that this is a pretty common issue with this model. I have about 56,000 miles on this car.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #10

Nov 212008

Pathfinder

  • 58,000 miles
At 58,000 miles the gas gauge and the mileage indicator would fluctuate or wouldn't work at all. Now at 60,000 miles the service engine light is on. One morning I started the car and the gas gauge read empty. Went and put gas in the car and $10 later it was full. I do believe that the two are connected and based on my reading on this site the dealership is aware of the problem but would like the owners to fork out $400 - $600 which in this economy I can't afford. This is definitely a safety concern.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #9

Apr 042008

Pathfinder

  • miles
Fuel sensor level gauge (P0463) on my 2005 Pathfinder is not working. Fill up gas tank and gauge in car still says empty and dte says zero and flashing. I have read online many other people with this problem. Nissan dealership is asking for $500 to fix the problem, and its not a normal wear and tear problem. I am 37 years old and have never had this problem before. I have not been in any accidents with my 2005 Pathfinder either.

- Seymour, CT, USA

problem #8

Nov 172007

Pathfinder 4WD 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the fuel gauge was very erratic. Even if the gas tank was full, the needle would remain at 3/4 or half way. The dealer diagnosed the failure and found an error code, which meant that the fuel pump sending unit was defective. The fuel level sensor needed to be replaced. Through research, the contact discovered a very common failure with Nissan vehicles; however, no recalls have been issued for this defect. The vehicle has not been repaired and Nissan stated that the contact would be responsible. The failure mileage was 52,000 and current mileage was 58,000. Updated 09/24/08. Updated 09/30/08.

- Columbia, SC, USA

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