Nissan Pathfinder Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Nissan Pathfinder model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2012 drew the fewest (23) and the 2013 the most (890).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
10 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
23 | 2 | Engine | — | 15–17 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
37 | 3 | Air bags | — | 14–18 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
40 | 4 | Air bags | — | 14–18 |
| 2011 | 45 | 2 | Air bags | — | 15–17 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
51 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2020 | 53 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2019 | 76 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2018 | 77 | 3 | Service brakes | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
82 | 2 | Service brakes | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2023 | 104 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2016 | 105 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2022 | 136 | 5 | Service brakes | 5★ | 22–23 |
| 2017 | 186 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 21–23 |
| 2015 | 320 | 5 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2008 | 328 | 4 | Power train | — | 14–17 |
| 2007 | 561 | 1 | Power train | — | 16–17 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
574 | 11 | Power train | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
837 | 3 | Power train | — | 16–17 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
890 | 11 | Power train | 4★ | 21–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Nissan Pathfinder years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder: 890 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 370 (42%); Air bags 177 (20%); Engine 105 (12%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 1 fire, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 15,000 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Nissan Pathfinder: 837 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 450 (54%); Engine and engine cooling 185 (22%); Fuel system 162 (19%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 93,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Nissan Pathfinder: 574 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 214 (37%); Air bags 92 (16%); Engine 62 (11%).
Reports mention 19 crashes, 3 fires, 32 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 47,500 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
The Nissan Pathfinder years with the fewest complaints
2012 Nissan Pathfinder: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 5 (22%); Suspension 5 (22%); Air bags 4 (17%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 92,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Nissan Pathfinder: 37 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 11 (30%); Power train 8 (22%); Engine 7 (19%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 91,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Nissan Pathfinder: 40 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 11 (28%); Power train 11 (28%); Engine 6 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 112,772 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Nissan Pathfinder owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 82 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 104 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 136 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12,000 |
| 2020 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 76 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2018 | 77 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2017 | 186 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 42,420 |
| 2016 | 105 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 2015 | 320 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2014 | 574 | 19 | 3 | 32 | 0 | 47,500 |
| 2013 | 890 | 16 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 2012 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 92,000 |
| 2011 | 45 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 46,000 |
| 2010 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 112,772 |
| 2009 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 91,000 |
| 2008 | 328 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 106,534 |
| 2007 | 561 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 99,200 |
| 2006 | 837 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 93,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Nissan Pathfinder recalls
- Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy due to OCS Error (2013–2016 model years; 3,296,947 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2016; 16V244000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES (1988–1991 model years; 2,730,462 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V103002)
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2018–2019 model years; 1,228,830 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V654000)
- Passenger Air Bag Inflator may Rupture (2002–2004 model years; 1,090,569 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V287000)
- Air Bag may not Detect Passenger in Seat (2013–2014 model years; 989,701 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V138000)
All 49 Nissan Pathfinder recall campaigns · Nissan Pathfinder problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Nissan Pathfinder years FAQ
Which Nissan Pathfinder year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2012 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (23). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2006 and 2014 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Nissan Pathfinder problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (1,747 of 4,535 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA lists 49 recall campaigns covering the Nissan Pathfinder. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Nissan Pathfinder recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.