Nissan Pathfinder problems by year
2014 Pathfinder vs. Pathfinder Hybrid: NHTSA lists the 2014 PATHFINDER HYBRID as a separate model; these pages cover the gasoline PATHFINDER only, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls if you own the Hybrid. Sources: NHTSA model list, 2014 Nissan.
There is no 2021 Pathfinder: Nissan told CarsDirect that 2020 Pathfinder production continued through the end of 2020 and there would be no model year 2021, and NHTSA lists no 2021 Pathfinder. The redesigned 2022 Pathfinder replaced the earlier CVT with a 9-speed automatic, so CVT complaints on 2013-2020 pages do not describe 2022 and later models. Sources: CarsDirect: Nissan Pathfinder will skip 2021 model year, Nissan: 2022 Pathfinder press kit, NHTSA model list, 2021 Nissan.
| Year | Common issues | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 |
Top NHTSA complaint areas (2010–2025)
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 801 |
| Unknown Or Other | 489 |
| Engine | 478 |
| Air Bags | 397 |
| Service Brakes | 306 |
| Electrical System | 260 |
| Structure | 180 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 150 |
Source: NHTSA complaints API, per model year (linked on each year’s issue pages).
Nissan Pathfinder problems by system (all years)
Systems with sourced problem pages in two or more model years. Pages list NHTSA owner complaints and CarComplaints.com reports for that year.
Transmission (11 model years)
- 2025: Power Train complaints (8 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Power Train complaints (13 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Power Train complaints (9 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Transmission shudder disengagement
- 2019: Check engine light came on transmission failure
- 2017: Power Train complaints (34 NHTSA reports)
- 2016: Shuddering jerking
- 2016: Transmission leak
- 2015: Shudder jerking
- 2014: Stutters excessively
- 2014: Transmission slips and hesitates
- 2014: Vibrates when accelerating
- 2013: Transmission jerking
- 2013: Transmission slips intermittently
- 2013: Transmission will not engage
- 2011: Radiator leaks into transmission
- 2010: Shifting rough
- 2010: Transmission failure
Engine (10 model years)
- 2025: Engine complaints (9 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Engine complaints (20 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Timing chain malfunction
- 2023: Engine complaints (16 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Engine complaints (17 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Engine hesitation knocking and misfiring
- 2019: Engine complaints (16 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Timing chain pieces ruined the engine
- 2018: Timing chain failing
- 2017: Engine complaints (84 NHTSA reports)
- 2017: Sludged engine
- 2016: Engine complaints (28 NHTSA reports)
- 2012: Engine complaints (6 NHTSA reports)
- 2012: Idle is erratic
- 2011: Broken timing chain
- 2011: Engine complaints (10 NHTSA reports)
Brakes (7 model years)
- 2025: Service Brakes complaints (11 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Service Brakes complaints (26 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Service Brakes complaints (22 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Rear brake failure
- 2020: Service Brakes complaints (8 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Service Brakes complaints (14 NHTSA reports)
- 2018: Service Brakes complaints (20 NHTSA reports)
Electrical (5 model years)
- 2025: Battery failure
- 2023: Electrical System complaints (24 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Electrical System complaints (12 NHTSA reports)
- 2018: Cruise control doesn't work
- 2018: Electrical System complaints (14 NHTSA reports)
- 2017: Electrical System complaints (27 NHTSA reports)
Air bags / seat belts (3 model years)
- 2016: Air Bags complaints (19 NHTSA reports)
- 2011: Air Bags complaints (12 NHTSA reports)
- 2010: Air Bags complaints (11 NHTSA reports)
A/C / heater (2 model years)
Steering (2 model years)
Suspension (2 model years)
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