Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Pathfinder vs Nissan Murano
How the Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Murano compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Nissan Pathfinder vs Nissan Murano: The Pathfinder has 746 complaints over 10 years (74.6/yr) versus the Murano's 263 (26.3/yr). Pathfinder owners report engine power loss and brake failures, while Murano owners face false crash alerts and unexpected slowing. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Pathfinder or Nissan Murano more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder, over the past decade, has accumulated a high volume of owner complaints, averaging about 75 per year. The most frequent issues center on the engine, with reports of sudden power loss and limp mode, as well as brake problems and electrical glitches. Owners also describe spontaneous rear window shattering, which adds to the sense of unpredictability. This pattern suggests a vehicle that may demand frequent dealer visits and could leave you stranded.
Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano has a lower complaint rate, averaging about 26 per year, but its issues are still significant. The most common complaints involve the forward collision avoidance system, which can trigger false alerts, and the electrical system, with reports of malfunctions. Brake and speed control problems also appear, sometimes causing the vehicle to slow down unexpectedly. While less frequent, these issues can be annoying and potentially dangerous, especially if the safety systems misbehave.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Pathfinder | Nissan Murano |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 746 | 263 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 | 11 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 25 | 17 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 74.6 | 26.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 21 | 18 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Nissan Pathfinder
- 01ENGINE180
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER166
- 03SERVICE BRAKES133
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM125
- 05POWER TRAIN106
Owners report sudden loss of motive power, especially uphill, with warning lights illuminating and the vehicle failing to restart. Some describe entering limp mode with a 'Engine Malfunction – Power Reduced' message, making the car unable to accelerate.
Complaints include repeated brake failures and unintended acceleration, sometimes within the first few thousand miles. This suggests potential issues with the braking system that could compromise stopping ability.
Dashboard warning lights flash, and systems like cruise control and front crash sensors malfunction, with sensors turning off. This indicates electrical gremlins that can disable safety features.
A notable issue is the rear window spontaneously shattering while parked, with no impact or force. This is a safety hazard and a sign of potential glass or structural weakness.
“VIN [XXX] Date of Incident: December 21, 2025 Location: I-295 South, merging onto I-95 South, Jacksonville, FL Vehicle: 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, VIN [XXX] Owner: [XXX] Witness: [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] Email Address: [XXX] Incident Description: While driving…”
“The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart after the first attempt. Af…”
Nissan Murano
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER66
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE43
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
- 04SERVICE BRAKES30
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL25
The crash sensor light engages while driving, even when parked or idle, with no obstacle present. Owners have taken the vehicle to the dealer multiple times, and some had the system replaced, but the issue persists.
Electrical problems can cause the vehicle to slow down or shut down while driving, as reported by owners. This can be dangerous, especially in traffic, and may require dealership intervention.
Brake issues include the vehicle abruptly slowing down as if it were going to shut off, which could be related to the braking system or other electronic controls. This can be startling and increase the risk of rear-end collisions.
Cruise control may not maintain speed on downhill grades, and there are reports of unintended slowing. This suggests problems with the speed control system that can affect driving comfort and safety.
“I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2025 Nissan Murano SL, purchased on April 21, 2026. On May 9, 2026, while driving from [XXX] to [XXX] , the vehicle began experiencing repeated failures at stoplights and in traffic. While stopped at red ligh…”
“On [XXX] I was driving back down [XXX] , stopped at red light and when light changed to green, I proceeded to take off and as I got under the interstate overpass my vehicle abruptly started slowing down as if it was going to shut completely down and the panel…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Nissan Pathfinder — 13 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or INFINITI's customer servi…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Rogue, Pathfinder, and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The driver's powered seat may not be fully secured to the seat frame, causing the seat frame welds to detach from the rear inboard seat bracket.
The risk: An unsecured seat with broken welds may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat rail clearance, and if necessary, replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 10, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer serv…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improper…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD10…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The lap belt pretensioner in the left-side front seat belt assembly may be improperly secured, due to a missing rivet. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor V…
The risk: An unsecured lap belt pretensioner will not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left-side front lap seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. O…
Nissan Murano — 11 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-60…
The risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer s…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Murano vehicles. The incorrect primer may have been used on the quarter glass, resulting in the left and right quarter glass detaching from the vehicle.
The risk: Detached glass panels can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both side quarter glass panels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PD102.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or INFINITI's customer servi…
Buyer analysis
Nissan Pathfinder or Nissan Murano: which should you buy?
The Nissan Murano has fewer complaints per year (26.3) compared to the Pathfinder (74.6), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Murano's problems, particularly with forward collision avoidance and unexpected slowing, can be just as concerning. In practice, the Pathfinder may require more frequent repairs, while the Murano might have more intermittent electronic gremlins.
Key differences
- The Pathfinder has a much higher complaint rate (74.6/yr) than the Murano (26.3/yr), suggesting more frequent issues.
- Pathfinder owners report engine power loss and brake failures, while Murano owners report false crash alerts and unexpected slowing.
- The Pathfinder has a unique issue with spontaneous rear window shattering, not seen in the Murano.
- The Murano's forward collision avoidance system is a top complaint, while the Pathfinder's top complaint is the engine.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of power loss or limp mode, and check for warning lights during a test drive, especially uphill.
- Check the rear window for any cracks or signs of stress, and ask if there have been any glass-related recalls.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system to see if it triggers false alerts, and ask about any software updates or replacements.
- Monitor the vehicle's speed control, especially on hills, to ensure it maintains speed without unexpected slowing.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic, focusing on the engine, brakes, and electrical systems.
- Check the vehicle's recall status on the NHTSA website and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- During a test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds to see if any warning lights or power loss occur.
- Ask for service records to see if the previous owner had repeated repairs for the issues mentioned.
- Consider a warranty or extended service plan to cover potential electronic and mechanical failures.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Nissan Pathfinder | Nissan Murano |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 1 |
| 2025 | 45 | 21 |
| 2024 | 73 | 4 |
| 2023 | 101 | 6 |
| 2022 | 133 | 6 |
| 2021 | 0 | 16 |
| 2020 | 52 | 45 |
| 2019 | 74 | 42 |
| 2018 | 76 | 15 |
| 2017 | 184 | 107 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Nissan Pathfinder or Nissan Murano in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Pathfinder vs Nissan Murano
- Nissan Pathfinder total complaints
- 746
- Nissan Murano total complaints
- 263
- Nissan Pathfinder total recalls
- 13
- Nissan Murano total recalls
- 11
- Nissan Pathfinder avg complaints/year
- 74.6
- Nissan Murano avg complaints/year
- 26.3
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Murano
- Nissan Pathfinder top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Nissan Murano top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER