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.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,800 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2005 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments

problem #5

Feb 022020

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 178,000 miles

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

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 WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. Consumer stated vehicle had recalls through it's history and believes front suspension and brakes were welded.

- West Peabody, MA, USA

problem #4

Nov 012008

Pathfinder

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving at various speeds, the brake pedal vibrated when it was depressed. The contact heard an abnormal noise that came from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 012008

Pathfinder 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Courtesy copy of a letter from consumers written to Nissan North America re problems with their 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The consumer stated the vehicle was defective. There were numerous problems with the vehicle. The radiator was replaced, the transmission had a whistle up shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, the tires were feathered and an alignment was needed, the door panels creaked, the brakes made a clicking noise, the drive belts were replaced twice because of a noise the consumer heard, the plastic finisher on the running boards kept popping off, the strut on the rear hatch leaked due to a poor seal, the transfer case leaked, there was hesitation when accelerating from a stop, the 4-wheel drive light illuminated on the dashboard, the dealer stated it failed due to internal failure. The rear shocks leaked, the front pinion seal and oil pinion seal were replaced and the rear hatch window leaked. Updated 04/06/10.

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #2

Mar 132006

Pathfinder 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
Purchased 2005 Nissan Pathfinder Feb 2006. 1st visit to dealership for maintenance requested dealership to check the directional stability (wandering) of the vehicle. In addition, I asked the dealership about the violent shaking when the vehicle hits a bump on the freeway at speeds of 50 mph or higher. The dealership advised that they adjusted air in tires. Tire pressure prior to appointment was 35 psi; after appointment tire pressure was 35 psi. 3-13-06/ 2nd visit to dealership for oil change at 2500 miles and issue of directional stability still causing vehicle to wander. I was advised that the mechanic had adjusted the cam and toe of the front end and the alignment was checked for accuracy. The directional stability was improved, but not to acceptable standards. 3rd visit to the dealership for an oil change and my request to rotate tires. Again stated that the vehicle wanders and violently shakes when hitting any bump. Dealership changed oil, rotated tires and test drove the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. I was advised wandering and shaking was a characteristic of the vehicle and there was nothing more Nissan could do. The wandering was attributed to tall tires, short wheel base and no load. I contacted Nissan North America and filed a complaint:#5332144. My area's regional representative from nna advised me to have a certified Nissan mechanic from a different dealership go on a drive-along to experience the issue of wandering and violent shaking. I made an appointment with a different Nissan dealership and rode as their "lead tech" drove my 2005 Nissan Pathfinder at highway speeds. He experienced the wandering and violent shaking. He advised that those were all characteristics of the vehicle. This was reported to the regional representative and I was advised if I had any further issues I could write a letter of complaint to nna. Certified mechanics form nna have identified a serious safety characteristic of my vehicle. However, they are of the opinion that characteristic is acceptable.

- Medway, OH, USA

problem #1

Aug 122005

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2005 Nissan Pathfinder SUV becomes very unstable at highway speeds when hitting a bump. The truck rocks violently diagonally and the vehicle sways out of the lane. The truck bottoms out constantly since it was new with no load in it. After several close calls I feel its time to notify someone. I plan on bringing it to the dealer this week. I don't know how much they can do..I think its a design flaw. I drive a Ford escape every day to work. It also has independent suspension, it never...never bottoms out or becomes uncontrollable after hitting a bump.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

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