TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE RPMS ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLOODED WITH WATER AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RADIATOR WAS REP…
2005 nissan Pathfinder engine problems
moderate 315 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
315
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN ON THE ONRAMP OF THE FREEWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THE RADIATOR LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO LOOSE POWER. THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR BUT WILL NOT COVER THE WARRANTY WHICH WAS SETTLE IN US DISTRICT COURT OF NEW YORK. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $5300 FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULTY …
RADIATOR CRACKED AND CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAD TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND FLUSH/REFILL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.
MY CAR HAD 1/4 FUEL, I FILLED THE TANK TO FULL, THE GAS GAUGE DO NOT SET THE CAR TO FULL TANK, I READ THE BOOK AND MADE THE INSTRUCTIONS BUT THE GAUGE DO NOT CHANGE, WHEN I RUN THE CAR FOR 2 HRS. AND I TURN OFF, IT BEGAN TO CHANGE TO FULL TANK. THE OTHER ISSUE WAS WHEN I HAD A 1/2 TANK OF GASOLINE...I STOP FOR 5 MINUTES AND I LEAVE THE CAR ON, WHEN I RETURNED SAW THE GAS GAUGE IN EMPTY... ACT…
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING AT ALL SPEEDS. COOLANT WAS FOUND IN THE TRANS FLUID. THE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAD TO ALSO ADD A OIL COOLER AS A PRECAUTION. NOW 8K MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. BEST CASE SCENARIO IS A NEW TRANS VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR $1500 OR WORST CASE NEW TRANS FOR $6500. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 315 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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