Nissan Pathfinder Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2025, with 2013 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 890 complaints dominated by transmission failures. Best years are 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2020, each with low complaint indexes (14 or under) and few reported problems.
Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Avoid 2015Avoid 2025Best 2010Best 2011Best 2012Best 2020
- Model years
- 15
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,755
- Recall campaigns
- 32
- Crashes reported
- 86
- Fires reported
- 11
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Pathfinder Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Pathfinder problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 14 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 16.5 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 7 | 45 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 0 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 890 | 16 | 1 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 93 | 574 | 19 | 3 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 86 | 320 | 11 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 23 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 43 | 105 | 10 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 50 | 186 | 8 | 2 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 29 | 77 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 36 | 76 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 21 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 64 | 135 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Brakes | 23 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 57 | 104 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 71 | 81 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 79 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
Pathfinder years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Nissan Pathfinder Index 100 · 890 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2013 Pathfinder has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 890 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 15,000 miles overall (5,120 miles for transmission specifically). Owners describe CVT hesitation, shuddering, and sudden deceleration while accelerating. Airbag complaints (20%) include unintended deployment and brake-related crashes. NHTSA also logged 16 crashes and 16 injuries for this year, the most of any Pathfinder model year.
2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 airbags problems →2013 engine problems →
2014 Nissan Pathfinder Index 93 · 574 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2014 Pathfinder carries a complaint index of 93 with 574 complaints and 11 recalls. Transmission & Powertrain problems account for 37% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,500 miles. Owners report jumping or hesitation during acceleration and smoke or burning smells linked to transmission oil leaks. NHTSA lists 19 crashes, 32 injuries, and 3 fires for this year. Structure & Body complaints, including hood latch issues covered by a later recall, made up 11% of reports.
2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 airbags problems →2014 engine problems →
2015 Nissan Pathfinder Index 86 · 320 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2015 Pathfinder has a complaint index of 86 from 320 complaints and 5 recalls. Engine problems are the top issue at 29% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 49,288 miles; Transmission & Powertrain follows at 24% with a median of 42,250 miles. Owners describe brake failure at low speeds and unexpected vehicle shutdowns while driving. NHTSA records 11 crashes and 7 injuries for the year, and airbag deployment problems appear in 17% of complaints.
2015 engine problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 airbags problems →
2025 Nissan Pathfinder Index 79 · 51 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2025 Pathfinder has a complaint index of 79 despite being new, based on 51 complaints and 1 recall covering front brake caliper assemblies that may break. Engine issues lead at 20% of complaints with a median failure mileage of just 250 miles. Owners report ABS warning lights that recur after repair, airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and brake lights not functioning outside auto-headlight mode. NHTSA logged 2 crashes for the year so far.
Most common Nissan Pathfinder problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain795 (29%)
- Engine606 (22%)
- Other495 (18%)
- Airbags395 (14%)
- Brakes320 (12%)
- Electrical System289 (10%)
- Structure & Body258 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers168 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires114 (4%)
- Fuel System109 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Nissan Pathfinder years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2025 as the Pathfinder years to avoid, based on complaint indexes of 100, 93, 86, and 79 respectively. The 2013 model is the worst, with 890 complaints and 11 recalls, mostly tied to transmission failures.
- What is the biggest problem with the Nissan Pathfinder?
- Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area across all Pathfinder years, accounting for 795 complaints (29% of the 2,755 total) filed with NHTSA.
- What are the best Nissan Pathfinder years to buy?
- 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2020 are the best years, with complaint indexes of 14, 7, 0, and 21 respectively — all well below the worst year's index of 100.
- Does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have a transmission recall?
- The 2013 Pathfinder has 11 total recall campaigns, including ones covering the hood latch (22V420000) and brake light switch (16V380000 and 21V020000), and NHTSA complaints show transmission failures as the largest single complaint category at 42% of reports.
- Is the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder reliable so far?
- The 2025 Pathfinder is listed as a year to avoid with a complaint index of 79 and 51 complaints, including a recall for front brake calipers that may break, despite low mileage at the time of failure.