Nissan Pathfinder 2005–2012
3rd generation (R51)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20264,294 complaints, 3,771 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 3,771
- Median of reported failures
- 98,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Transmission and driveline (36.4%)
- Recalls
- 8
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 75,000 and 120,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Nissan Pathfinder 2005–2012 · 3,771 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 261 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 27 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 50,000
- 25%
- 75,000
- Median
- 98,000
- 75%
- 120,000
- 90%
- 144,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 50 | 1.3% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 16 | 0.4% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 32 | 0.8% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 13 | 0.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 23 | 0.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 12 | 0.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 28 | 0.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 45 | 1.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 64 | 1.7% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 71 | 1.9% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 106 | 2.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 89 | 2.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 112 | 3.0% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 94 | 2.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 150 | 4.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 154 | 4.1% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 222 | 5.9% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 232 | 6.2% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 257 | 6.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 209 | 5.5% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 261 | 6.9% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 184 | 4.9% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 177 | 4.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 179 | 4.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 179 | 4.7% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 122 | 3.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 135 | 3.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 98 | 2.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 86 | 2.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 69 | 1.8% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 62 | 1.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 60 | 1.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 27 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 30 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 26 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 26 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 23 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 10 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 7 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 27 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,294 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2012 Nissan Pathfinder, and 3,771 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 75,000 and 120,000 miles. The median is 98,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (36.4% of complaints, typically around 103,000 miles), the engine and its cooling system (14.9% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles), the engine (11.5% of complaints, typically around 107,000 miles).
8 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2005–2012 Nissan Pathfinder last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2005–2012 Nissan Pathfinder were filed by 98,000 miles and 90% by 144,000 miles — figures drawn from 3,771 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
27 reports (0.7%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Pathfinder reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2005–2012 Pathfinder: the 3-minute check
Generated from 3,771 mileage-tagged complaints, 8 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check radiator / transmission on 2005–2010 cars. The internal transmission fluid cooler inside the radiator can fail, allowing engine coolant to mix with automatic transmission fluid. The resulting emulsion (widely called the 'strawberry milkshake of death') destroys…
- Check engine (timing chain) on 2005–2012 cars. VQ40DE timing chain guide and tensioner wear producing a cold-start rattle and, if ignored, chain skip.
- Check exhaust / emissions on 2005–2012 cars. Exhaust manifold and catalytic converter failure on the VQ40DE.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 75,000 and 120,000 miles, with a median of 98,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the engine and its cooling system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine and its cooling system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 99,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Nissan Pathfinder 2005–2012
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Fuel system430 reports61,00048,000–80,000Fuel system: 430 reports, median 61,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 80,000 miles.
- Electrical system159 reports90,00065,000–119,000Electrical system: 159 reports, median 90,000 miles, middle half 65,000 to 119,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system197 reports98,00076,000–120,000Fuel and propulsion system: 197 reports, median 98,000 miles, middle half 76,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Engine and its cooling system639 reports99,00081,000–119,000Engine and its cooling system: 639 reports, median 99,000 miles, middle half 81,000 to 119,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline1,562 reports103,00087,000–124,000Transmission and driveline: 1,562 reports, median 103,000 miles, middle half 87,000 to 124,000 miles.
- Engine494 reports107,00091,000–130,000Engine: 494 reports, median 107,000 miles, middle half 91,000 to 130,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise155 reports110,00090,000–129,000Problems owners could not categorise: 155 reports, median 110,000 miles, middle half 90,000 to 129,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 1,562 | 36.4% | 103,000 | 87,000–124,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 639 | 14.9% | 99,000 | 81,000–119,000 |
| Engine | 494 | 11.5% | 107,000 | 91,000–130,000 |
| Fuel system | 430 | 10.0% | 61,000 | 48,000–80,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 197 | 4.6% | 98,000 | 76,000–120,000 |
| Electrical system | 159 | 3.7% | 90,000 | 65,000–119,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 155 | 3.6% | 110,000 | 90,000–129,000 |
| Airbag system | 140 | 3.3% | 102,000 | 53,000–142,000 |
| Fuel system, other | 105 | 2.4% | 59,000 | 49,000–75,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 86 | 2.0% | 110,000 | 91,000–131,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Nissan Pathfinder 2005–2012 · 3,771 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 15% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 40% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.7% of reports (27) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
15% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Fuel system — middle half 48,000–80,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 87,000–124,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 81,000–119,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 91,000–130,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 76,000–120,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 65,000–119,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 90,000–129,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
40% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Fuel system — median 61,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 87,000–124,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 81,000–119,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — middle half 76,000–120,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 65,000–119,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 90,000–129,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 91,000–130,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
74% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine and its cooling system — median 99,000 mi
- Fuel system — median 61,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 98,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 90,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 87,000–124,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 91,000–130,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 90,000–129,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 98,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 36.4% of complaints (1,562 reports, 1,439 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 103,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 87,000 and 124,000 miles.
A single system taking 36.4% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 14.9% of complaints (639 reports, 587 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 99,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 81,000 and 119,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.5% of complaints (494 reports, 428 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 107,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 91,000 and 130,000 miles.
The fuel system accounts for 10.0% of complaints (430 reports, 384 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 61,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 80,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 4.6% of complaints (197 reports, 162 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 98,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 76,000 and 120,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 3.7% of complaints (159 reports, 129 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 65,000 and 119,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 1,560 complaints — while 2012 drew the fewest at 35. The median year sits at 259.
That makes 2005 an outlier: roughly 6.0 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (2), the suspension (2), the engine and its cooling system (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 4,294 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 70 (1.6%)
- Fires
- 16
- Injury reports
- 35
- Fatality reports
- 1
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Radiator / Transmission 2005–2010
The internal transmission fluid cooler inside the radiator can fail, allowing engine coolant to mix with automatic transmission fluid. The resulting emulsion (widely called the 'strawberry milkshake of death') destroys the transmission. Subject of a class action settlement and Nissan warranty extension covering the affected Pathfinder/Xterra/Frontier population.
Engine (timing Chain) 2005–2012
VQ40DE timing chain guide and tensioner wear producing a cold-start rattle and, if ignored, chain skip.
Exhaust / Emissions 2005–2012
Exhaust manifold and catalytic converter failure on the VQ40DE.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,560 | 1,413 |
| 2006 | 1,224 | 1,093 |
| 2007 | 846 | 749 |
| 2008 | 458 | 385 |
| 2009 | 51 | 37 |
| 2010 | 61 | 41 |
| 2011 | 59 | 38 |
| 2012 | 35 | 15 |
Recalls (8) — is your car included?
Dec 2023 · 2008–2011 · Air BagsA detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
What can happen. A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the driverÂ’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Oct 2012 · 2012 · SuspensionIf the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.
What can happen. If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Jan 2012 · 2011–2012 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the…
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 Infiniti fx, model year 2012 Infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 Nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 Nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 Nissan Pathfinder, and model year 2012 Nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
What can happen. If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 2010 · 2005–2006 · Engine and Engine CoolingThis could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, Infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, Pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ecm) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ecm relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ecm relay contact due to arcing.
What can happen. This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the ecm relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Sep 2010 · 2008–2010 · EquipmentOverheated batteries could result in a fire.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
What can happen. Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2010. Owners may contact garmin directly at 1-866-957-1981 or Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
May 2010 · 2010 · SuspensionIf the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 titan, armada, qx56, frontier, xterra, and Pathfinder vehicles manufactured from november 19, 2009 through march 3, 2010. The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications.
What can happen. If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 20, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Apr 2010 · 2010 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, the passenger front air bag deployment trajectory might be affected.
The defect. Nissan has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2010 frontier, Pathfinder, and xterra vehicles manufactured from february 22, 2010 to march 13, 2010. On some of the potentially affected vehicles, the fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module, and also the fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the passenger front air bag deployment trajectory might be affected. The fasteners could possibly come out of the steering column positioning bracket increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the steering column and the passenger front air bag fasteners and any missing fasteners will be replaced and all loose fasteners will be retightened to the proper torque specifications free of charge. The safety recall began on april 19, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Mar 2010 · 2006–2008 · Fuel System, GasolineThis could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and Pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when the fuel tank is empty.
What can happen. This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 22, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
What owners reported
2005 Nissan Pathfinder le. Passenger side airbag weight sensor in the seat does not consistently detect the presence of my wife who is ~120 lbs. It does intermittently detect her as well as our 90 lbs daughter. We consider this to be a serious safety defect. We have contacted Nissan corporate and had the car to the…
2005 · 100 miles · Airbag system
I recently purchased a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, i started to notice a problem on my first road trip while out on route 95 going to philadelphia. The vehicle becomes very hard to control while going over bumps at 55-65 MPH especially going around long sweeping turns. When you hit a bump the steering wheel becomes…
2005 · 200 miles · Suspension
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…
2005 · 1,000 miles · Suspension
2005 Nissan Pathfinder SUV becomes very unstable at highway speeds when hitting a bump. The vehicle rocks violently diagonally and the vehicle sways out of the lane. The vehicle also bottoms out constantly since it was new with no load in it. Dealer has attempted a fix by reprogramming the vehicle dynamic control…
2005 · 5,000 miles · Suspension
Built from 3,771 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page