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2005 Nissan Pathfinder repairs by problem area

Engine (39%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)

Brakes and Traction Control (3%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (6%)

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Chart based on 161 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder.

2005 Nissan Pathfinder repair cost distribution

$2500+ (8%)

$1000 - $2499 (15%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (36%)

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Chart based on 137 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

See repairs for all Nissan Pathfinder model years.

Nissan Pathfinder in Norway Feb 2009 - Mar 2010
Mar 2009 60760 mi	Exhaust tube broke right off.
Jun 2009 62000 mi $1000	lower bearing bulbs both sides worn out. Electrikal problem with stereo, gps and camera. Monitor falls out after 20 sek. Car has no side steps- all sand from front wheels hits rear end of channals. Eats up painting.

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Nissan Pathfinder in Georgia, United States Feb 2012 - Mar 2012
Mar 2012 132000 mi US $300	Crank Sensor went bad.

Nissan Pathfinder in Ohio, United States Nov 2010 - Apr 2011
Dec 2010 132000 mi US $975	Check engine light stayed on. Took to dealer and found catalytic converter was failing and should be replaced.
Jan 2011 134000 mi US $175	Oil pressure sensor failed. Part replaced.

Nissan Pathfinder in Idaho, United States Mar 2016 - Mar 2016
Mar 2016 144000 mi US $500	Plastic Timing Chain Guides wore out and needed replaced - known manufacturer defect, that Nissan acknowledges, but will not pay for

Nissan Pathfinder in Georgia, United States Mar 2014 - Mar 2015
Feb 2015 190400 mi US $194000	Transmission replaced for a second time, first time repaired transmission about 2 yrs ago-Amoco repaired but didn't replace radiator, so have another cross containmenation, 2nd transmission went to new shop and replaced radiator(no nissan)

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Nissan Pathfinder in North Carolina, United States Aug 2010 - Jul 2016
Jan 2011 177000 mi US $1500	The the transmission valve body had to be replaced due to coolant leaking into the transmission fluid.
Apr 2012 113000 mi US $75	The parking/emergency brake needed to be adjusted
Jun 2016 207000 mi US $300	Camshaft and Crankshaft sensors bad.

Nissan Pathfinder in Alabama, United States May 2010 - Jun 2014
Sep 2012 106000 mi US $300	Replaced shocks and struts
Nov 2012 108300 mi US $140	Front right wheel bearing replaced
Jul 2013 118800 mi US $20	Replaced steering rack and pinion boot.
Nov 2013 125600 mi US $160	Master cylinder developed an internal leak and had to be replaced.

Nissan Pathfinder in Arizona, United States Jul 2010 - May 2011
Jan 2011 72300 mi US $50	Exhaust and catalytic converter, repair Exhaust and catalytic converter, repair

Nissan Pathfinder in Texas, United States Jun 2011 - Jul 2013
Jul 2012 86700 mi US $1200	Car overheating. Hose and a/c part changes required for fixing.

Nissan Pathfinder in South Carolina, United States Dec 2006 - Dec 2015
Jan 2006 10000 mi US $25	replaced luggage rack front trim piece
Jul 2007 24800 mi	replaced driver side power window motor
Dec 2015 120000 mi US $4700	install external transmission cooler, transmission service to remove coolant contaminated transmission fluid. replaced transmission due to coolant leak into transmission from original transmission cooler faulty design.

Nissan Pathfinder in Oregon, United States Dec 2010 - Mar 2017
Jan 2011 31000 mi US $225	Squeak in pulley or belt system.. Pulley and belts replaced. Problem solved.
Mar 2015 57000 mi US $480	Tire pressure sensors
Oct 2015 60200 mi US $1500	Timing chain replacement
Jul 2016 68500 mi US $1500	Timing chain replacement
Oct 2016 71500 mi US $260	Tire low pressure sensors

Nissan Pathfinder in Puerto Rico Apr 2017 - Jul 2022
Jun 2018 103000 mi US $342	A noise during transmission gear change from Parking made me go to the mechanic who found Journal Kits needed replacement.
Jun 2021 130000 mi US $1295	Catalytic Converters (two) were replaced but not original "equivalent". Engine check light stayed on, and diagnostic read bobbin needed replacement. It was also replaced and check engine light stayed on, diagnostic reading oxygen sensor needed replacement. Another mechanic told me the Pathfinder, unless catalytic converters were original would stay with the Check Engine light on. Since the cost to continue was high and vehicle was operating well, I decided to live with the check engine light on.

Nissan Pathfinder in Florida, United States May 2008 - Jul 2009
Jan 2008 55000 mi	Passenger side power window and right rear power window will not go up with drivers door power switches.
Mar 2008 60000 mi	Fuel Filler Door "sprung".

Nissan Pathfinder in Mississippi, United States May 2012 - Oct 2013
Oct 2012 130800 mi US $2600	complete transmission overhaul, with a repeat of same plus replacement of speed sensor. also did water pump and timing belt during the transmission work. the cost was $2600 including all parts.
Jun 2013 140000 mi US $3500	complete transmission rebuild

Nissan Pathfinder in California, United States Nov 2008 - Feb 2012
Apr 2011 102000 mi US $1350	Timing chain, tensioner and cam chain

Nissan Pathfinder in Puerto Rico Dec 2013 - May 2017
May 2017 170000 mi US $400	Struts replacement

Nissan Pathfinder in Oklahoma, United States May 2009 - Sep 2012
Jun 2009 39000 mi	The mirrors quit working. They ordered the two electrical parts.
Jul 2009 42000 mi US $249	reordered correct parts Installed parts to fix mirrors.

Nissan Pathfinder in Georgia, United States May 2011 - Aug 2019
Jun 2011 51000 mi	radiator water was leaking into the transmission causing failure. Dealer replaced both radiator and transmission under extended warranty recall
Jan 2014 60700 mi US $350	Replace catalytic converter
Mar 2014 69000 mi US $575	Replaced the catalytic converter again
Apr 2017 100000 mi US $60	Tail light was broken
Feb 2018 109000 mi US $4500	The thermostat stuck in the closed position causing the engine to overheat and blow a head gasket

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Nissan Pathfinder in New York, United States Mar 2013 - Apr 2013
Apr 2013 65000 mi US $2000	computer

Nissan Pathfinder in South Dakota, United States Dec 2010 - Nov 2012
Apr 2011 75200 mi US $600	Traveled approx 100 km when engine died. Restarted once and then died after a few hundred meters. Would not restart. Car had to be towed. Throttle body, fuel pump, IDPM all changed, but didn't fix problem.
May 2011 75300 mi US $250	Shop tried diagnosing and could not find the problem. Referred us to a Nissan dealership.
Sep 2011 76000 mi	Towed to dealer in June. IDPM replaced again, diagnosis found ECM faulty, ordered ECM from US. In September replaced ECM, replaced all spark plugs and 1 coil. After car back from shop for 1 day SES light came on while going up a hill. Car will not drive more than 80km per hour up and incline. Engine loses power and makes a noise. Runs fine at lower speeds. Ordered, replaced rest of coils, did not fix problem.
Jul 2012 76500 mi US $800	IDPM replaced yet again. Apparently there was a short that caused the IDPM and some relays to melt.
Nov 2012 79000 mi	car wouldn't start, car towed to dealer and fuel pump replaced. Check engine light came on, reset at home. Came on again. Code for fuel temperature sensor. Reset again and came on so drove car to dealer. On the way to dealer tire pressure light also on. Reset them and they stayed off till sold car.

Nissan Pathfinder in Wisconsin, United States Jul 2013 - May 2014
Aug 2013 72555 mi US $500	Tran drain/fill, radiator replacement, coolant flush (preventative because of all of the radiator leaking trans fluid into coolant issues. Nissan covered under <80k warranty) Car was making metal vibration noise at specific RPMs. Carmax found that the Intake Manifold Assembly/gaskets and exhaust heat shield mounts needed replacing. Also replaced cabin air filter, replace rear latch gate handle because of rust. Car was making metal vibration noise at specific RPMs. The Intake Manifold Assembly/gaskets and exhaust heat shield mounts needed replacing. Replaced rear latch gate handle because of rust. Covered under extended Carmax warranty
May 2014 78000 mi US $250	Fuel level sensor unit replaced. AC schroeder valve replaced, AC recharged. Deductible for Maxcare extended warranty.

Nissan Pathfinder in Illinois, United States Apr 2015 - Jul 2022
Jan 2017 US $225	Dead battery - car was sitting, I replaced it myself. Alternator froze, eating the serpentine belt. I replaced the alternator, belt and belt tensioner

Nissan Pathfinder in Tennessee, United States Dec 2011 - Sep 2014
Oct 2012 88700 mi US $250	Replaced cam position sensor causing no-starts.
May 2014 107900 mi US $2000	Replaced forward catalytic converters.

Nissan Pathfinder in Illinois, United States Nov 2012 - Jul 2017
Nov 2012 79000 mi	Repaired coolant leak in rear heater piping.
Dec 2012 80000 mi US $500	Preventively replaced radiator to avoid common problem that ruins transmission.
Nov 2014 99300 mi US $250	Replaced rear window and door shocks.
Mar 2015 105000 mi US $140	Washer reservoir leaks
Dec 2015 110000 mi US $250	Bad tire sensor. Light always on

Nissan Pathfinder in New York, United States Nov 2012 - Sep 2017
Dec 2012 61000 mi US $300	replace fuel sending unit requiring the removal and reinstallation of the fuel tank replaced radiator
Oct 2013 71200 mi US $125	Rear shocks worn and replaced. Apparently a defective part according to review of car history. My shocks were rotted through.
Nov 2013 71000 mi US $25	rear heater (aluminum) lines corroded through resulting in loss of antifreeze
Aug 2015 85000 mi US $700	Right front hub assembly, worn stabilizer bar links and 4wd axle U joints all replaced
Jan 2017 83500 mi US $150	replace front struts

Nissan Pathfinder in Idaho, United States Jul 2011 - Mar 2012
Nov 2011 113000 mi US $2200	Internal gasket leak.

Nissan Pathfinder in Ontario, Canada Sep 2010 - Feb 2021
Oct 2010 114700 mi	Wheel bearing ABS sensor
Jun 2011 132680 mi C $1200	Balljoint, U joint on passenger side
Aug 2011 135160 mi C $440	blower fan burnt out
Oct 2011 135780 mi C $440	replace serpentine belt again
Nov 2013 176700 mi C $2049	coils and plugs went out, took the catalyc converter out as well
Sep 2014 194680 mi C $540	wheel bearing
Oct 2014 194780 mi	No heat
Feb 2016 205220 mi C $450	Passenger side tie road worn out
Nov 2016 209220 mi	worn out tie-rod end Ball joint worn
Apr 2020 235600 mi C $500	manifold rusted

Nissan Pathfinder in California, United States Oct 2008 - Mar 2011
Dec 2008 51000 mi	Squeak coming from engine. Determined to be faulty drive belt and tensioner. Both parts replaced. Faulty parts fitted on 1st trip. Same parts replaced again and repair was successful.
Mar 2011 81000 mi US $97	Fuel Sender Issue common to Pathfinders. Vehicle showed P0643 code and Check Engine Light. Also showed symptoms where the gauge would drop to Zero regardless of how much fuel was in the tank.

Nissan Pathfinder in Rhode Island, United States Jan 2006 - Mar 2012
Jan 2006 7000 mi	u-joint in front driveshaft needed replacement. it was covered under warranty
Feb 2009 51000 mi	Rear driveline vibration checked u-joints and not much else. I even took the mechanic for a ride and showed him the vibration, he couldn't notice it. I'm annoyed.
Mar 2009 52000 mi	Dealer replaced rear driveshaft because of a "sticky universal joint". 2nd trip for this. Dealer claimed to have checked u joints on 1st trip. I guess not! No shaft in stock (claimed had wrong one in box) yea, right. Had to wait a week for new one.
Mar 2011 78000 mi US $1200	Timing chain noise. There is a tsb about the secondary timing chain guides. My problem appears to be the primary timing chain.

Nissan Pathfinder in Colorado, United States Feb 2012 - Jun 2022
May 2017 87000 mi US $300	replace tank fuel sensor
Jun 2021 101000 mi US $250	replace fuel pump

Nissan Pathfinder in Virginia, United States Sep 2008 - Mar 2010
Dec 2008 44000 mi US $26	Replaced rear hatch struts/shocks... Hatch would not stay open in very cold weather.

Nissan Pathfinder in Manitoba, Canada Aug 2009 - Dec 2021
May 2018 195300 mi C $3500	Charged ac Rear Ball Joints worn and required replacement of control arms and other major suspension components

Nissan Pathfinder in Pennsylvania, United States Sep 2008 - Mar 2011
Sep 2008 35000 mi US $7	Fuel filler door spring missing. Dealer had part in stock. Had to remove door from body to repair. Fuel filler door spring missing. Dealer had part in stock. Had to remove door from body to repair.

Nissan Pathfinder in New Hampshire, United States Oct 2009 - Apr 2016
Aug 2013 103700 mi US $317	Truck was giving engine code P0455 vent control valve and boost sensor on EVAP canister.
Dec 2013 108000 mi US $62	Truck would shut down while driving without warning
Apr 2016 135000 mi US $129	Timing chain fell off.engine dead truck junked

Nissan Pathfinder in Kansas, United States Nov 2009 - Jun 2011
Aug 2009 49000 mi US $350	U-Joint, front. Dealership.
Sep 2009 52200 mi US $25	The latch that holds down the center console broke. I fixed it myself after ordering the part over the internet.
Dec 2009 56000 mi US $1000	The entire backend rusted through. Vehicle came from up north. I assume salt was the reason.

Nissan Pathfinder in Maryland, United States Dec 2013 - Oct 2016
Sep 2014 49000 mi	Broken Fuel level indicator
Sep 2015 50000 mi US $350	Fuel Level indicator did not properly read fuel level. Replaced Fuel Pump and Fuel sensing unit parts and labor
Oct 2016 55000 mi	CD Player will not eject disc

Nissan Pathfinder in Illinois, United States Mar 2009 - Jun 2011
Apr 2009 38000 mi US $30	bad coolant lines to the rear heater core, corroded underside (common problem) cut-off bad pices and replaced with rubber heater pipes)
Mar 2010 45000 mi	leak noticed from radiator, replaced under extended warranty
Apr 2010 45000 mi	Check engine light - evaporative canister, purge valve kit replaced under extended warranty. Check engine light - evaporative cannister, purge valve kit replaced under extended warranty

Nissan Pathfinder in Texas, United States Mar 2011 - Nov 2014
Nov 2014 84000 mi	Battery died every 3-4 days, even after being topped off by a battery charger. Something in the electrical system was drawing a load when the car was off. We sold the car without diagnosing the problem.

Nissan Pathfinder in Ohio, United States Dec 2009 - Apr 2016
May 2009 30850 mi US $11	Replaced positive battery post clamp.
Sep 2013 75000 mi	had a fair amount of work done at one time. While trouble shooting they found a leak in the radiator, a leaking seal on the output shaft of the transfer case as well as bad u-joints. I also took it to a dealership for the ECM recall.
Apr 2016 104000 mi US $2400	Timing chain tensioner's needed to be replaced. The water pump was replaced at this time because of the access provided to due the timing chain.

Nissan Pathfinder in Georgia, United States Mar 2011 - Oct 2013
Apr 2011 104000 mi US $300	Computer malfunctions and vehicle will loose power and cut off. Have replace the power relay in the IPDM, several times. I hate this vehicle. I will never purchase a Nissan again. Trips to the dealer are pointless as they can't diagnose
May 2011 104000 mi US $80	AC/Heater blows HOT air on passenger side always. Driver side functions normally. Dealer said Consult II did not have an error code, therefore no problem was acknowledged, even though the mechanic could feel the hot air, not cold A/C
Oct 2013 126000 mi US $1800	Replace heating/air conditioner computer.

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Nissan Pathfinder in New York, United States Nov 2016 - Dec 2016
Dec 2016 130000 mi US $12	Heater assembly hose on firewall the nipple for bleeding air out of system so heat will work when driving broke used quick steel. Epoxy putty. It worked.

Nissan Pathfinder in New York, United States Mar 2011 - Dec 2011
Apr 2011 45000 mi US $260	Vehicle required a new Timing Chain, Chain Guide, and supporting parts. It just went with 45,000 miles on the vehicle. I complained to Nissan HQTRS, and they agreed to pay half of the repair bill. Required new door control module.

Nissan Pathfinder in Tennessee, United States Oct 2008 - Oct 2017
Dec 2008 25000 mi	Grinding noise when braking from highway speeds. Front rotors resurfaced.
Mar 2009 30000 mi US $40	Mechanism on gas filler door broken, door would not close or open normally.
Jun 2009 36000 mi US $39	On the driver 4 window controller, the left rear window controller will only put the window down but not roll the window up. The individual window control for that door functions normally. Left front roof rack cover fell off.
Sep 2009 46000 mi	Front drive shaft/u-joint assembly needed to be replaced. Caused severe vibration at 40+ mph. Replaced free under drivetrain warranty. Front drive shaft/u-joint assembly needed to be replaced. Caused severe vibration at 40+ mph. Replaced free under drive train warranty.
Feb 2011 84000 mi US $90	Torque Converter started to shudder when at speeds above 40 mph. Had the transmission flushed and problem didn't go away. Had to add a friction modifier and resolved the issue entirely. Torque Converter started to shudder when at speeds above 40 mph. Had the transmission flushed and problem didn't go away. Had to add a friction modifier and resolved the issue entirely.
Jul 2011 96000 mi US $900	The engine radiator has a built in transmission cooler. There was a leak between the two causing fluids to mix. All fluids were flushed from both and the radiator was replaced. All new fluids for both coolers installed.
Aug 2011 98000 mi	Cruise Control stopped working, Dash light will come on when turned on but it will not set speed.
Sep 2011 99000 mi US $250	Oil pressure gauge showed incorrect reading, Oil pressure sender replaced.
Nov 2011 99900 mi US $4215	Because of previous radiator/transmission cooler leak mixing trans oil and coolant. Mixed fluid entered transmission unnoticed. Transmission later started to shift irregularly. Had to replace entire transmission.
Aug 2016 204000 mi US $590	Vibration at highway speeds, Universal joint noise, replaced U-joint
Jul 2017 225000 mi US $1700	Rattle of timing chain guide, replaced timing chains, belts, water pump and spark plugs.
Oct 2017 231000 mi US $270	Passenger front Wheel Bearing worn out and replaced.

Nissan Pathfinder in Maryland, United States Jul 2009 - Mar 2011
Dec 2010 67000 mi US $400	Accessory belt tensioner. Was making all kind of noise.

Nissan Pathfinder in South Africa Nov 2008 - Jul 2018
Dec 2009 44640 mi	Occasional starting problems. Later car stalls and does not want to start. When eventually started, engine light came on. Diagnostic tests identified the airflow sensor to be faulty. Cleaned the sensor and contact points and problem solved.
Feb 2010 46500 mi	Stopped car at fuel station. After re-fueled, car would not start. Starter motor runs, but engine fails to fire up. After waiting for 10-15 mins, car starts with no indication of problem. Car dealer could not replicate problem, so not resolved. Outside temp sensor produced inaccurate readings.
Jun 2011 62000 mi R 1800	Door handle on Left rear door failed and door was stuck in closed position. Door handle was replaced.
Dec 2012 80600 mi	Replaced all shocks Replaced exhaust system
Dec 2015 112840 mi R 17000	Tie-rod end worn out. Front tyres worn due to this - had to replace front tyres. All 4 shocks needed replacement left front inner CV boot replaced
Jun 2016 117800 mi R 10000	One of the coils stopped working. Replaced all 6 coils.
Jul 2016 118600 mi R 12000	ABS speed sensor failed on left front wheel. Replaced both front wheel bearings (sensors built in)
Apr 2017 130200 mi R 18000	Alternator bearing noise. Had to replace alternator because this vehicle's alternator cannot be reconditioned due to clutch pulley.

Nissan Pathfinder in South Africa Jan 2009 - Oct 2011
Oct 2010 102920 mi R 4500	Reconditioned Auto Transmission
Apr 2011 104780 mi R 1200	front right wheel bearing disintegrated abs sensor worn away after wheel bearing disintegrated

Nissan Pathfinder in British Columbia, Canada Sep 2009 - Jan 2011
Oct 2009 40920 mi C $275	Pulley tensioner on motor went bad. serpentine belt also had to be replaced.

Nissan Pathfinder in Ohio, United States Jul 2012 - Dec 2016
Jun 2013 78000 mi	Evap canister for gas, temp sensing gauge not working,check engine light was one. Dealer fixed all items at no charge to us.

Nissan Pathfinder in British Columbia, Canada Jun 2012 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012 92380 mi C $50	antifreeze in transmission, well known problem with this make and year. flushed rad and changed transmission hoses to external cooler to buy a little time before the big fix (transmission) or purchase of new vehicle...

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Nissan Pathfinder in South Africa Jan 2012 - Jun 2013
Feb 2012 115400 mi R 300	rebuilt transmission
Apr 2013 130200 mi R 400	Replaced Alternator

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2005 Nissan Pathfinder repairs by problem area

2005 Nissan Pathfinder repair cost distribution

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