Nissan Pathfinder Reliability by Year
10,167 NHTSA complaints (1986–2026). Complaint rate: 158.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Nissan Pathfinder reliability varies significantly by model year. Based on 10,167 NHTSA complaints (1986–2026), the most problematic years are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, with high complaint volumes linked to transmission issues. Better choices include 2012, 2011, 2010, which show significantly fewer reported problems.
Why these years are worse
The most common issues driving the complaint spikes:
- transmission issues — 2,150 complaints (1.2% involved a crash)
- engine problems — 952 complaints (0.9% involved a crash)
- unknown or other — 649 complaints (2.8% involved a crash)
- airbag malfunctions — 544 complaints (13.1% involved a crash)
- engine and engine cooling — 458 complaints (1.3% involved a crash)
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2005–2008 Nissan Pathfinder (63 crash-related complaints). The 2020 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: POWER TRAIN.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2,150 | 1.2% |
| ENGINE | 952 | 0.9% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 649 | 2.8% |
| AIR BAGS | 544 | 13.1% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 458 | 1.3% |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 401 | 1.2% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 395 | 2.3% |
| SUSPENSION | 325 | 2.2% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 323 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 297 | 12.8% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987GOOD | — | 31 | 0 | 1 | View → |
| 1988GOOD | — | 17 | 0 | — | View → |
| 1989GOOD | — | 19 | 3 | — | View → |
| 1990GOOD | — | 44 | 1 | 2 | View → |
| 1991GOOD | — | 49 | 3 | 3 | View → |
| 1992GOOD | — | 38 | 2 | 2 | View → |
| 1993GOOD | — | 67 | 2 | 9 | View → |
| 1994 | — | 108 | 9 | 2 | View → |
| 1995AVOID | — | 218 | 13 | 7 | View → |
| 1996 | — | 214 | 24 | — | View → |
| 1997AVOID | — | 293 | 20 | 2 | View → |
| 1998 | — | 194 | 31 | 1 | View → |
| 1999 | — | 144 | 29 | 2 | View → |
| 2000 | — | 166 | 13 | 2 | View → |
| 2001AVOID | — | 299 | 21 | 2 | View → |
| 2002 | — | 206 | 19 | 1 | View → |
| 2003 | — | 147 | 16 | 4 | View → |
| 2004GOOD | — | 86 | 3 | — | View → |
| 2005AVOID | — | 1,560 | 21 | 11 | View → |
| 2006AVOID | — | 1,224 | 16 | — | View → |
| 2007AVOID | — | 846 | 16 | 3 | View → |
| 2008AVOID | — | 458 | 10 | — | View → |
| 2009GOOD | — | 51 | 2 | — | View → |
| 2010GOOD | — | 61 | 3 | — | View → |
| 2011GOOD | — | 59 | 0 | 1 | View → |
| 2012GOOD | — | 35 | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 2013AVOID | — | 1,202 | 26 | 1 | View → |
| 2014AVOID | — | 738 | 33 | 3 | View → |
| 2015AVOID | — | 430 | 19 | 3 | View → |
| 2016 | — | 125 | 14 | — | View → |
| 2017AVOID | — | 253 | 13 | 2 | View → |
| 2018 | — | 121 | 5 | — | View → |
| 2019 | — | 116 | 6 | 3 | View → |
| 2020GOOD | — | 70 | 2 | — | View → |
| 2022 | — | 184 | 7 | 3 | View → |
| 2023 | — | 141 | 7 | — | View → |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 90 | 3 | — | View → |
| 2025TOO NEW | — | 61 | 3 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Nissan Pathfinderaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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