Nissan Pathfinder problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 1,377 owner complaints and 34 recalls on file for the Nissan Pathfinder (2005–2026). The 2014 Pathfinder has the most serious complaints, most often about transmission & drivetrain.

Complaints
1,377
Recalls
34
Model years
21
Worst year
2014

Complaints by model year

20200518152007281020091011201111199201321211920155112020174773201948136202210484202451102026
NHTSA complaints per Nissan Pathfinder model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Nissan Pathfinder years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2014 Nissan Pathfinder — 212 complaints, 1 crash, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  2. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder — 199 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  3. 2022 Nissan Pathfinder — 136 complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Brakes
  4. 2015 Nissan Pathfinder — 119 complaints, 4 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  5. 2017 Nissan Pathfinder — 120 complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2010 (10 complaints).

Every Nissan Pathfinder model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 Pathfinder101000Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2025 Pathfinder512031Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 Pathfinder841032Brakes
2023 Pathfinder1044011Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2022 Pathfinder1363135Brakes
2020 Pathfinder481000Engine
2019 Pathfinder733122Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2018 Pathfinder471013Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2017 Pathfinder1203122Engine
2016 Pathfinder513002Engine
2015 Pathfinder1194035Transmission & Drivetrain
2014 Pathfinder21211811Transmission & Drivetrain
2013 Pathfinder19920511Transmission & Drivetrain
2012 Pathfinder110102Suspension
2011 Pathfinder110002Engine
2010 Pathfinder100004Airbags
2009 Pathfinder100012Transmission & Drivetrain
2008 Pathfinder280003Transmission & Drivetrain
2007 Pathfinder150000Transmission & Drivetrain
2006 Pathfinder181012Transmission & Drivetrain
2005 Pathfinder200101Transmission & Drivetrain

Most common Nissan Pathfinder problem areas (all years)

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    361 complaints
  • Engine
    293 complaints
  • Brakes
    175 complaints
  • Electrical System
    166 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    113 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    96 complaints
  • Airbags
    90 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    77 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    61 complaints
  • Suspension
    58 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Nissan Pathfinder received by NHTSA each month.

Nissan Pathfinder recalls

  • Recall 25V173000Mar 19, 20251,430 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V176000Mar 5, 202412,019 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: An unsecured lap belt pretensioner will not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 24V154000Feb 27, 2024351 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V268000Apr 13, 202312,400 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: An unsecured seat with broken welds may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V067000Feb 10, 2023404,690 vehiclesModel years 2008–2011

    Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

  • Recall 22V527000Jul 21, 202210,477 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V420000Jun 13, 2022322,671 vehiclesModel years 2013–2016

    Risk: An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V111000Feb 24, 202221 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: A missing mounting bolt may allow the seat track to move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V743000Sep 23, 20215,895 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: Seat backs with separated welds may fail to adequately restrain occupants during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V742000Sep 23, 202110,082 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: Headrests that move or detach may not adequately restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V706000Sep 10, 20213,030 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: A detached secondary hood latch may allow the hood to open if the primary hood latch is not engaged, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V020000Jan 20, 2021264,431 vehiclesModel years 2013–2015

    Risk: Continual illumination of the brake lights can prevent other drivers from realizing the vehicle is actually slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash. With the brake override activated, the driver will not be able to accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. The driver can shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 19V807000Nov 8, 2019391,479 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019

    Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 19V654000Sep 12, 20191,228,830 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019

    Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 18V601000Sep 7, 2018215,124 vehiclesModel years 2017–2018

    Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 16V380000May 31, 201679,853 vehiclesModel years 2013–2014

    Risk: If the brake override is activated, the driver will not be accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. If the brake lights remain illuminated, other drivers may fail to stop when the vehicle actually brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. If the driver inadvertently shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 16V244000Apr 26, 20163,296,947 vehiclesModel years 2013–2016

    Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

  • Recall 15V681000Oct 20, 2015919 vehiclesModel years 2013–2015

    Risk: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

  • Recall 15V033000Jan 26, 2015170,665 vehiclesModel years 2013–2014

    Risk: If the primary hood latch is released and the secondary latch fails during operation of the vehicle, it could cause the hood to open during vehicle operation impairing the driver's vision, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

  • Recall 15V012000Jan 14, 2015893 vehiclesModel years 2014–2015

    Risk: The under-torqued fasteners may result in a brake caliper separating from the wheel assembly causing a reduction in braking performance or reduced steering control. These conditions increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V229000May 2, 2014334 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: If the lug nut becomes loose from not being properly tightened, it may fall off, allowing the other lug nuts to become loose, possibly resulting in a wheel separation, and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V142000Mar 26, 20143,065 vehiclesModel years 2013

    Risk: The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 14V138000Mar 25, 2014989,701 vehiclesModel years 2013–2014

    Risk: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

  • Recall 13V445000Oct 17, 2013151,695 vehiclesModel years 2013–2014

    Risk: The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 13V456000Sep 26, 20132,310 vehiclesModel years 2014

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the improper air bag deployment may increase the risk of personal injury.

Other Nissan models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology