Nissan Pathfinder Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Nissan Pathfinder options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Nissan Pathfinder has 740 owner complaints and 16 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2025 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Pathfinder
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 740
- Safety recall campaigns
- 16
- Crash-related complaints
- 25
- Fire-related complaints
- 4
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (183 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2025 (43 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Nissan Pathfinder: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe NISSAN PATHFINDER has 740 NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls on record. 25 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 740 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 16 federal recall campaigns
- 25 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
16 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 740 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
740 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
My new 2026 Nissan pathfinder does not support voice to text and continues to cut off responses. Nissan has been no help with solving the problem and this poses a safety problem encouraging drivers to grab and looks at their phones.
Windshield cracked on its own 5 days after purchase.
The steering assist malfunctions. It almost always fails around curves. It also does it sometimes on a straightaway, but it is not as frequent as with curves. It gets too close to the line and overcompensates. It literally will drive you off of the road. I have been driving across country and if I had not been diligent, I would have crashed dozens of times. According to Grok, this is a common complaint but there are no recalls for this failure.
The contact owns a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH a loud explosion noise had occurred. The contact open the interior sunroof door and discovered that the glass sunroof had shattered outward. The vehicle was immediately taken to the local dealer who replaced the glass sunroof. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,800.
After the vehicle sits for several hours, the remote start system fails every time. Both the key fob remote start and the NissanConnect app remote start do not work, even though the vehicle shows as connected. The start command is aborted internally until the vehicle is physically moved a few feet. A dealership porter also could not remote‑start the vehicle at my home, and this is documented. This creates a safety concern because I transport disabled children and medical equipment, and the vehicle may fail to start when needed.
The speed sign reading technology reads the S.R road signs as speed limit signs. I have a 25 model and it does not do this. The 2026 model is equipped with the pro pilot system which is not on the 2025 model.
Read 14 more owner reports
The contact owns a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera displayed a blank screen. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Buckle We have concerns regarding the front passenger seat belt buckle. My wife and another family member have both experienced issues where the buckle will sometimes not latch securely, and at other times it is difficult to release. On one occasion, the buckle would not release until I repeatedly pressed the release button so my wife could exit the vehicle. This most recently occurred on July 9, 2026.This is a safety concern and after review booklet this should be cover under nissan warranty.
I bought my 2025 Pathfinder in November 2025. In early December, the automatic emergency braking symbol started flashing; I took it to the Nissan dealership in Downey, and they told me that unless there was a permanent error code, they couldn't do anything. After reading comments and forum posts, I saw that this was a common issue caused by sunlight and such, so I didn't worry too much about it, but it kept happening. Then, on June 19, 2026, while leaving a parking lot in Monterey Park, CA—just as I was pulling out of my parking space—I heard a very loud pop. It really scared me; I was with my wife and two children. The rear windshield was completely shattered—it had exploded out of nowhere. When I checked online, I realized that many vehicles of this brand—Pathfinders and Rogues—had reported this same incident: exploding spontaneously. Fortunately, my two children were in the second row, but a shard still fell onto my younger son's hand and cut him; he was terrified and crying. I got out of the car, and there was absolutely nothing there—the area was clear. I have photos of the scene and of my son's small cut. Today, June 20, 2026, I took my Pathfinder back to Nissan Downey, but got nowhere; they refuse to take responsibility and don't believe it's a factory defect. They wouldn't help me at all, even though it's a 2025 vehicle with only 6,500 miles on it. They offered to inspect the vehicle but refused to specify that the inspection would be covered under the factory warranty. So, I decided to take my vehicle back without getting a favorable response from Nissan!
Both sluggish to begin acceleration and car acceleration on its own after a passing throttle up. It was as if the throttle stuck open for more than 5 seconds.
Unknown Subject: Safety Concern Regarding Rock Creek Model Seatbelt Design I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern regarding the seatbelt design used in the Nissan Rock Creek model. Specifically, the seatbelt in this vehicle includes a plastic insert that is stitched directly into the belt. This configuration appears unusual when compared to standard seatbelt construction and, in my view, raises significant questions about its safety and performance in the event of a collision. My primary concern is whether this particular seatbelt design, including the stitched-in plastic insert, has undergone full crash-testing and safety validation. Seatbelts are critical life-saving devices, and any nonstandard configuration can introduce potential failure points. Before continuing to use this vehicle, I would like written confirmation that this design meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards, including FMVSS 209 and 210, and that it has been tested under conditions representative of a real-world crash scenario. I am deeply concerned that this feature may pose a hazard to vehicle occupants if it compromises the belt’s ability to lock, restrain, or distribute force correctly during an accident. For this reason, I respectfully request a prompt, detailed response. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your explanation and confirmation regarding the safety of this system.
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the seatbelts of the vehicle had excessive slack on the shoulder portion and could not be adjusted properly, resulting in inadequate upper body restraint. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection, but no defects were found, and no repairs were performed. The contact expressed concern that the loose seatbelts presented a safety hazard and might not provide adequate occupant restraint during a crash. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 10,300.
We have been documenting a oil leak on the timing chain cam shaft cover. When the motor heats up the engine seeps/leaks oil on the top of the side of engine. This has been documented for the past few months starting at 37,099 miles when we noticed it, date of first notice was on 4/29/2026. We have pic with time stamps and have taken it to dealership to inspect and have written many times of the issue. We have also filed a consumer affairs and BBB autoline complaints. This is an issue safety issue bc oil can start a car fire, it can also cause a motor to malfunction. This is a safety concern. The dealer says their is no leak at all but they wipe off oil and it returns that an issue. We bought this pathfinder in Oct of 2025 and put on now around 42k miles and it is still an active issue.
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside a parking lot, the contact discovered that an L shaped cracked had formed on the windshield. The contact stated that the crack appeared to have started on the top, passenger side of the window, running down that part of the glass before veering of towards the driver side of the windshield. The contact stated that the failure appeared to have occurred without incident. The dealer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. In addition, the contact was informed that the windshield must be replaced with an OEM windshield due to the cameras on the windshield. The contact was also referred to her warranty provider; however, she had yet to get in touch with them. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
The front grille and front bumper of my 2025 Nissan Pathfinder have melted twice on their own without any accident, impact, or unusual use. The vehicle is used exclusively for personal family transportation and is parked outdoors in Florida. Nissan opened a warranty case on April 1, 2026. However, their entire investigation was conducted based on photos only — no physical inspection of the vehicle was ever performed by Nissan or their representative. Despite this, Nissan denied the warranty claim stating it was not their responsibility, without identifying the root cause of the damage. During the claims process, a Nissan call center representative provided false information stating that our vehicle had been in service for 6 months, which is completely untrue. Multiple calls went unanswered or were disconnected. Written emails were ignored. It took over 6 weeks to receive a final decision. This is a known recurring issue affecting multiple Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Armada owners dating back to 2021-2022 models. Other owners have reported identical melting of front grille plastic components under normal driving and parking conditions. In at least one documented case, Nissan sent an engineer for physical inspection and immediately confirmed warranty coverage — contradicting their standard practice of denying claims based on photos only. The melting of exterior plastic components on a brand new vehicle raises serious concerns about the quality and heat resistance of materials used by Nissan, and potential safety hazards if the root cause is internal heat rather than external factors. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this matter as it may indicate a manufacturing defect affecting multiple 2021-2025 Nissan Pathfinder and Armada vehicles.
The front collision radar and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on my 2025 Pathfinder Platinum fail intermittently and repeatedly, creating a severe safety hazard. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. Component/System Failed: The front radar sensor randomly malfunctions and shuts down entirely. This completely disables the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), ProPILOT Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Safety Risk: The sudden and unprompted disabling of the Automatic Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control while traveling at highway speeds poses a severe risk of collision. The driver is forced to take sudden manual control without the expected safety net, creating a highly dangerous distraction and increasing the risk of rear-end crashes. Warning Lamps/Messages: Yes. Usually, after 30 to 60 minutes of highway driving, dashboard warning lights suddenly illuminate, displaying messages such as "Front Radar Unavailable" or "System Fault," accompanied by flashing collision symbols. This occurs in perfect weather conditions, on clear roads, and with perfectly clean sensors (no snow, dirt, or debris obstructing the radar). I have over 30 videos capturing these failures occurring under normal driving conditions. Inspection & Dealer Reproduction: The vehicle has been inspected by two different authorized Nissan dealerships, spending a total of 35 days out of service. At the first dealership (10 days in shop), the official paperwork blamed "dirt/debris," but a service advisor informally admitted via text message that it was an internal system error they could not fix. At the second dealership (25 days in shop), technicians test-drove the vehicle but claimed they "could not duplicate" the intermittent issue and found "no codes," despite me providing them with extensive video evidence of the system crashing. Manufacturer Involvement: I contacted Nissan North America Corporate regarding this severe safety defect and the dealerships
When sitting in a parking space and when you put the car in reverse, the front sensors pick up whats in front of the car making the beeping sound. If a car is driving by in the rear it does not pickup that car driving by as it is picking up the items in the front of the car. When in reverse, the front sensors should not go off, only the rear sensors should go off. This issue can cause someone to not pay attention to the beeping because they think they are beeping for the front sensors and cause someone to back into someone driving by.
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside the garage, the hatch glass shattered unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact became aware that several consumers had reported that the rear glass, front windshield, and sunroof glass had broken without impact due to the manufacturing of the thin-tempered glass. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that a Nissan regional representative would reach out with assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
The accelerator pedal has gotten stuck at full throttle 3 times under the all weather rock creek floor mat. The mat appears to be properly placed in its molded position, but it allows the pedal to go behind the mat and get stuck. 3 separate times this has happened.
serious incident that happened. While we were driving heading uphill to the beach, the check engine light and multiple warnings suddenly appeared. It said 'transmission error' and 'engine power reduced,' and the car just shut down with the kids inside. We were at risk of the car rolling backwards. I really think this is a major safety issue tied to the vehicle's design or manufacturing. Second incident was also driving on the road and suddenly all the lights appeared again and the engine shut off on its own leaving me and the kids stuck on road. I wasn’t able to switch it to N to at least try to push it out the way! I was stuck in traffic and had to call road assistance to get the car towed home! At this point I’m scared to drive anywhere especially with my kids inside.
Showing 20 of 740 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Nissan Pathfinder
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Nissan Pathfinder, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Nissan Pathfinder has 740 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Nissan Pathfinder has 16 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 25 of the Nissan Pathfinder's 740 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Nissan Pathfinder vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Nissan Pathfinder vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Nissan Pathfinder has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Nissan Pathfinder reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Poor. The Nissan Pathfinder has 740 NHTSA owner complaints and 16 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (183 complaints), 2022 (133 complaints), 2023 (100 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Nissan Pathfinder problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (180 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (163 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (133 complaints).
Does the Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?
Yes — 16 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Nissan Pathfinder. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.