Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid and best years
Newer Nissan Pathfinder years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2013 has the most complaints per year, at 143 (890 complaints). From 2018 on, complaints per year fall. Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2012 at 1 (from 23 complaints), 2020 at 4 (from 53 complaints), and 2019 at 7 (from 76 complaints). The Nissan Pathfinder 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, 250 of 890 complaints name Powertrain.
Data as of .
2012
2020
2019
2025–26
Nissan Pathfinder reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Nissan Pathfinder. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 22.3 |
| 2025 → Too early | 26 | 51 | 1 | Seat belts | 22.3 |
| 2024 → | 27 | 81 | 2 | Service brakes | 22.3 |
| 2023 → | 28 | 104 | 1 | Service brakes | 22.3 |
| 2022 → | 30 | 135 | 5 | Service brakes | 22.7 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2020 → Fewest | 4 | 53 | 0 | Engine | 22 |
| 2019 → Fewest | 7 | 76 | 2 | Engine | 22 |
| 2018 → | 12 | 77 | 3 | Engine | 22 |
| 2017 → | 22 | 186 | 2 | Engine | 22 |
| 2016 → | 10 | 107 | 2 | Engine | 22 |
| 2015 → | 25 | 320 | 5 | Air bags | 23.6 |
| 2014 → | 59 | 573 | 11 | Powertrain | 23.8 |
| 2013 → Most | 143 | 890 | 11 | Powertrain | 21.5 |
| 2012 → Fewest | 1 | 23 | 2 | Air bags | 16 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 (3.5L V6) · 5.7 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/65R18 to 235/55R20 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA campaign 16V244000. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash. 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. Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 (3.5L V6)
- Tire size
- 255/60R18 to 255/50R20 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA campaign 23V268000. 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. An unsecured seat with broken welds may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. 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 service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC966, PC967.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2012 at 1 (from 23 complaints), 2020 at 4 (from 53 complaints), and 2019 at 7 (from 76 complaints).
Which Nissan Pathfinder year has the most owner complaints?
2013 has the most complaints per year, at 143 (890 complaints). On the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, 250 of 890 complaints name Powertrain.
How do Nissan Pathfinder owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Nissan Pathfinder years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. From 2018 on, complaints per year fall.
Which Nissan Pathfinder years are too early to compare?
The Nissan Pathfinder 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What oil does a Pathfinder take?
0W-20 (3.5L V6)
What does NHTSA recall 16V-244 cover on the Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA campaign 16V244000.
What generation is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
4th generation (R52) (2012-2020).