2005 Nissan P0305: What It Means & Is It Safe to Drive?

P0305 on the 2005 Nissan: Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected. Here's what it means, what usually causes it, what repairs typically cost, and whether it's safe to keep driving.

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What this code means

Misfire on cylinder 5—present on V6, V8, and inline-5 engines only. On V6 engines, cylinder 5 is sometimes harder to access; factor labor into repair estimates.

Common causes on the 2005 Nissan

  • Fouled spark plug
  • Failed ignition coil
  • Leaking or clogged injector
  • Low compression from valve or ring wear

Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light
  • Engine shaking or rough idle
  • Power loss under acceleration

Typical fixes

  • Replace spark plug and coil on cylinder 5
  • Test and replace injector if needed
  • Compression and leak-down test

Repair cost range

For a 2005 Nissan, repairs for P0305 typically fall between $150 and $1000, depending on the root cause and labor rates in your area.

Known issues on Nissan

Nissan VQ35 P0305 is on the rear bank (cylinders 4–6). Rear-bank coil access requires intake manifold removal. Confirm the fault with a contribution test before disassembly. VQ40 in Pathfinder has more accessible rear-bank coils.

Most commonly affected models

Maxima VQ35DE 2004–2008350Z VQ35DE 2003–2006Pathfinder VQ40 2005–2012

Is it safe to keep driving your 2005 Nissan with this code?

For driving-safety guidance—how far you can go, when to tow, and what's urgent—see these checklists:

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