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.

8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,850
Average Mileage:
82,650 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. replace engine (2 reports)
2005 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments

problem #4

Mar 012011

Pathfinder LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,143 miles

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

89 thousand mile dealer replace transmission and radiator , 118 thousand miles car towed to dealer i spend $361.57 they found (IPDM) INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTOR MODULE defective and they say because of this the catalytic converter it may burn out ..again at 123 thousand mile car towed to dealer and they said catalytic converter left side coming apart , $3,798.00 to replace cat.and labor ( dealer recommend) so i buy the parts by my self and changes it , then the car start smoking coming from the tail pipe after that... i went to the dealer and told me that because its has defective catalytic converter ..car need engine ? has only 123 thousand miles !!! thats not right ! we pay $40,000.00 dollars november 2004 !! so now the car is in the parking lot .

- Mauro R., Vallejo, CA, US

problem #3

Oct 102011

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,319 miles

In May 2009 we purchased a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder with 39, 800 miles on it. Along with the car we purchased an extended service contract that would cover us to 87,000 miles or May 2013. Since we have owned the car, we have experienced the radiator transmission problem, the Cat Converter was replaced, the front drive shaft was replaced and the fuel sensor was replaced. All of these repairs were covered under warranty. Most recently my timing chain broke with only 59300 miles on it. Nissan told me that the engine would have to be replaced. The dealer contacted the Nissan extended warranty service and they are denying coverage because they claim that we did not maintain the vehicle. We have receipts and records of every oil change and repair that has been completed on the vehicle. I called the Nissan one customer service number and requested that they review the case. They had the dealership take the engine apart and take pictures of the engine. There is a significant amount of sludge built up in the engine and the engine is “toast”.

My complaint is that Nissan sold me the car with 40,000 miles on it, and there was no way that We could have done the damage in the 20,000 miles that we drove it, especially since we change the oil and use synthetic oil. Even so, we purchased an extended warranty to protect ourselves in the event of a major repair. The new engine and installation will cost over $7300. I purchased a Nissan based on their reliability and have had nothing but problems since. I have huge issues with Nissan and their warranty coverage. I have contacted a lawyer and plan to sue. I am also filing a complaint with the Attorney General’s office. Lastly I am contacting the local new media to alert them to the consumer fraud that Nissan performs on a regular basis

- pmontella, Brookhaven, PA, US

problem #2

Nov 152010

(reported on)

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

There have been numerous times when car would turn over, but not start. I have learned that if it does not start in about 3 seconds to turn the key off, wait a few seconds, then try again. This had happened several times. After issues with same model car, replaced IPDM which had been claimed to be repair to fix problems with these 2005's. Car is driven by my daughter, who was leaving for college. Now 2 months into college, the car is once again failing to start. I don't really know what to do short of selling both cars! I am a single mom and can't really afford to buy different cars. I also cannot afford to keep repairing these if multiple issues keep showing up.

- countrygirl403, Groom, TX, US

problem #1

Nov 152010

(reported on)

Pathfinder SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

10/15/2009 Problem started with car running rough, dying, and refusing to start again. Thought problem was fuel related, since it began immediately after fueling up, so put in new fuel pump. Drove 35 miles home and parked car, never to start again. Towed to shop, researched online regarding multiple reports of failure due to IPDM. There were no codes showing up on the computer diagnostics at my local shop. After waiting til 12/2009 for backordered part to come in, installed new upgraded version of IPDM, and car ran fine til 10/2010 when it began to run rough again. It is currently back at shop awaiting repair. I really thought that once I replaced the IPDM that my problems would be over, but now I don't know whether to even keep the car. I have two of these 2005 Pathfinders, one driven by my daughter. Hers had failed to start several times, but she could shut off key and then it started next time. So before she left for college in August I had a new IPDM installed in hers so she would not be broke down on the side of the road. Now in the last couple weeks hers has once again failed to start twice more. Guess 2005 was not a good year for Nissan!

- countrygirl403, Groom, TX, US

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