The 2004 Pathfinder with the VQ35DE is a solid SUV mechanically, but the RE5R05A 5-speed automatic transmission is a known weak point that often requires full replacement or rebuild. Engine issues are less common but catastrophic when they occur—typically oil consumption leading to bearing failure.
Symptoms: Delayed or harsh shifting, especially 2-3 or 4-5 upshifts, Slipping under load or complete loss of forward gears, Coolant in transmission fluid or trans fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake effect), Check engine light with transmission codes P0708, P0731, P0732
Fix: Root cause is often the internal radiator transmission cooler failing, mixing coolant and ATF and destroying clutches and valve body. Fix requires replacement radiator with external cooler, full transmission rebuild or reman unit, and fluid flush of cooling system. 12-16 hours labor for full job.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
VQ35DE Oil Consumption & Rod/Main Bearing Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 500-1000 miles), Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Rod knock or bearing noise at idle when hot, Low oil pressure warning, engine seizure if ignored
Fix: Piston ring wear leads to oil burning; if owner runs low on oil repeatedly, rod and main bearings get damaged. Requires complete engine rebuild (pistons, rings, bearings, machine work) or used/reman long block. 18-24 hours labor for rebuild, 12-14 for swap.
Estimated cost: $4,000-7,000
Timing Chain Guides & Tensioner Wear
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 150,000-200,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise on cold start that fades after 10-15 seconds, Rough idle or slightly advanced/retarded timing codes, Metal shavings in oil on oil change, Catastrophic failure rare but possible if plastic guides disintegrate
Fix: VQ35DE uses plastic chain guides that wear over time. Requires timing cover removal, replacement of guides, tensioners, and chains. 8-10 hours labor. Often done with water pump and seals while you're in there.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
Exhaust Manifold / Catalytic Converter Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0420/P0430 catalyst efficiency codes, Exhaust leak ticking noise on cold start, Failed emissions test, Cracked manifold studs or broken manifold castings
Fix: Both pre-cat and main cats can fail; manifolds crack at the rear cylinder runners. Aftermarket manifolds available but OEM cats are integrated. 3-5 hours per side for manifold/cat replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,800
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or loose feel on highway, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Visual inspection shows cracked or torn rubber bushings
Fix: Lower control arm bushings deteriorate with age and road salt exposure. Most techs replace entire control arms with new bushings pre-installed rather than pressing in bushings. 2-3 hours labor for both sides plus alignment.
Symptoms: Clunking or popping when turning at low speed (parking lot), Steering wheel not returning to center smoothly, Loose feel in steering column with up/down play
Fix: NHTSA recall addressed some units but wear continues on non-recalled or aged vehicles. Requires steering column removal and upper bearing/joint replacement. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Owner tips
Install external transmission cooler IMMEDIATELY if buying used—bypass the radiator internal cooler to prevent strawberry milkshake failure
Check oil level every 500 miles after 100k; VQ35DE can burn oil without obvious smoke until it's too late
Replace timing chain components at 150k preventively if you plan to keep long-term
Use Nissan Matic-S or equivalent ATF only; generic fluids accelerate RE5R05A failure
Buy one under 90k miles with documented transmission service and external cooler installed, or budget $4k-5k for inevitable transmission work—engine is stout if oil is monitored religiously.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V008000
2020-01-09 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
AIR BAGS · 15V287000
2015-05-15 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
STEERING:COLUMN · 11V244000
2011-04-20 · PE11004
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS
SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Consequence: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · 09E025000
2009-05-11
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
EQUIPMENT · 07E046000
2007-07-03
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.
Consequence: THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Remedy: HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E049000
2006-05-24
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 06E026000
2006-03-23
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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