2005 Nissan Pathfinder Review
Price Estimate: $2,721 - $4,402





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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Most powerful V6 in the class, above average off-road ability, well-laid-out interior, flexible seating design, ample storage space throughout.
Cons
- Tight rear-seat accommodations, on-road handling not as refined as car-based competitors, some odd interior materials.
What’s new
The Pathfinder has been completely redesigned for 2005 and now includes third-row seating and a larger, more powerful V6.
Edmunds says
An excellent blend of off-road toughness and everyday comfort, but its concessions toward true backcountry capability might turn off those who want the image more than anything else.
For sale nearby
37 listings
- 134,148 miles
- 1 accident, 5 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 7 Seats, 14 City / 21 Hwy MPG
- Schoepp Motors Middleton West (442 mi away)
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Third-row seating
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Middleton, WI
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (14 City/21 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5N1AR18U95C745838
Stock: VIN
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-20-2025- $4,675good price$270 below market
- 200,127 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 14 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- Silver Eagle Auto Mall (498 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Third-row seating
Close
Located in Kansas City, MO
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5N1AR18W75C758959
Stock: S25-0156
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$229/mo for Pathfinder XE
Pathfinder XE
vs
$180/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Nissan Pathfinder Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Transmission Problems
4.38 out of 5 starskano1017, 04/16/2012
2005 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
After reading all this reviews I decided not to wait and / or pay a lot of $$
to get this fix, so what we came up with is totally different cost effective and it works great, I know that this is a problem with the Nissan design but I bought it so now is my problem here goes, we cancel the lines that go thru the radiator and put an independent oil cooler to the side of the radiator with … this little gadget you can be sure that you will never
ever have this problem again and the transmission oil will be more cooler with this modification so the tranny will work better, cost to do this = 60 buck for the oil cooler, 15 buck to add transmission oil to the oil cooler and that's it well + what you
10 year review!
4 out of 5 starsMike C., 04/07/2018
2005 Nissan Pathfinder LE Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
This was my third Pathfinder. I owned it for 10 years and sold it with 165,000 miles on it. It has been extremely reliable and rock solid. I sold it because it had high miles, and I needed something newer to travel with. This year Pathfinder did have problems with the radiator leaking into the transmission and destroying it. Chances are if you buy one now, either it was already changed … under warranty, or not affected. I had the radiator changed under warranty but no transmission issues. It is based on the truck platform so the ride is not as smooth as the car based SUV'S, but it has more room, and can handle carrying heavier items. I owned the LE with full leather, navigation, rear entertainment, etc..Everything still worked perfectly when I sold the car. Great workhorse, in style. The only issue is the heat. When the car is idling normally, it doesn't heat up the car. Almost like it doesn't push enough antifreeze through the heater core unless the engine is running over 2000 rpm. The seriously sucks when you're trying to warm the car because it just doesn't at idle. Once your driving the heat works fine.
Best of the best
5 out of 5 starsErick, 10/25/2015
2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
Got my pathfinder back in 05, never had any problems with the the truck. Its been to texas and back many times. Like couple years back when we got that horrible winter storm here in chicago it handle the road like nothing. The best suv out there for the heavy snow. RWD with the 4x4 option.
all i got to say its that its the best and knkw that its 10 years old still runs like new.
Don't Buy 2005-2006 Pathfinders
1.5 out of 5 starsrunnermcm, 11/17/2010
2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
I am having the same problems that others have noted here and on the Edmunds discussion board about the radiator and the transmission. The tranny is failing, but Nissan of Omaha says they can't find anything wrong despite riding with me and it slipping (acts as if it is in neutral) - goes to 6 RPM and you say at 40 mph for a while - just one example. Woodhouse Nissan confirmed my problem … but Nissan of Omaha has to be the one to fix it and so far they won't. The radiator was replaced after it flooded the tranny and they flushed it, but that didn't solve it. There are at least 3 class action lawsuits. I'm not letting it end here. I will keep all boards I post on updated with progress/advice.
2005 Pathfinder Highlights
XE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $24,900 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $229/month |
Seating | 7 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.5 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Pathfinder include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalMarginal
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestMarginal
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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