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
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).
- 2014 Nissan Pathfinder — 212 complaints, 1 crash, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
- 2013 Nissan Pathfinder — 199 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
- 2022 Nissan Pathfinder — 136 complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Brakes
- 2015 Nissan Pathfinder — 119 complaints, 4 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
- 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
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2025 Pathfinder | 51 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 84 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | Brakes |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 104 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 136 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | Brakes |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 48 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 73 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 47 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 120 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Engine |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 51 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 119 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 5 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 212 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 11 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 199 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 11 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2012 Pathfinder | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Suspension |
| 2011 Pathfinder | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine |
| 2010 Pathfinder | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Airbags |
| 2009 Pathfinder | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2008 Pathfinder | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2007 Pathfinder | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2006 Pathfinder | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2005 Pathfinder | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
Most common Nissan Pathfinder problem areas (all years)
- Transmission & Drivetrain361 complaints
- Engine293 complaints
- Brakes175 complaints
- Electrical System166 complaints
- Body & Structure113 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech96 complaints
- Airbags90 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion77 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control61 complaints
- Suspension58 complaints
Complaint trend
Nissan Pathfinder recalls
Risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured lap belt pretensioner will not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: An unsecured seat with broken welds may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A missing mounting bolt may allow the seat track to move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: Seat backs with separated welds may fail to adequately restrain occupants during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: Headrests that move or detach may not adequately restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
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.
Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Risk: The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.
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