DecodedCars2005 Nissan Pathfinder
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Se Off-Road, 4dr SUV 4WD Se/Le, 4dr SUV 4WD Xe
- Engines
- 4.0L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 305 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 14 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- 187.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,559–4,782 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 305 hp, versus about 227 hp for similar 2005 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints190 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 29 for similar models — most often about the power train.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is a SUV - offered with a 4.0L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 188 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,782 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Se Off-Road).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (14 city / 21 highway), 6% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 190 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Flat Rock, Michigan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2005 Pathfinder configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Se Off-Road | 187.8 in | 72.8 in | 73.2 in | 112.2 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 4,782 lb | 51/49 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Se/Le | 187.8 in | 72.8 in | 72.8 in | 112.2 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 4,740 lb | 51/49 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Xe | 187.8 in | 72.8 in | 72.8 in | 112.2 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 4,559 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 21 / 17 | -6% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Volkswagen Touareg | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Kia Sorento | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 28, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V517000 · 747,480 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- 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.
Not every 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Nissan Pathfinder buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 111 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 57 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 16 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 120,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Pathfinder years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 15 |
| 2025 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 56 |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 86 |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 107 |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 136 |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 48 |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 78 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 188 |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 107 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 321 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 12 | 531 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →