2014 Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Nissan Pathfinder ranks 2nd worst out of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 95 and 574 complaints. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 37% of complaints, and NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this year, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Pathfinder years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 20 Pathfinder years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 574
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 32
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22.5 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 0
Top 2014 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain214 (37%)
- Airbags92 (16%)
- Other91 (16%)
- Engine86 (15%)
- Structure & Body66 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers58 (10%)
- Brakes41 (7%)
- Electrical System39 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (3%)
- Fuel System15 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden brake failure or delayed braking response, sometimes leading to a rear-end or front-end collision even at low speeds.
- Some drivers report the brake pedal feeling seized or unresponsive right before a crash, with the steering also becoming hard to turn.
- The motorized rear lift gate reportedly opened on its own after being placed in park, striking nearby objects.
- Owners report the transmission failing or hesitating while driving between 10 and 30 mph.
- One owner described smoke and tire burning while towing, with the vehicle stalling and losing power.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a rollover crash despite a prior recall repair intended to fix the passenger airbag system.
2014 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V420000Jun 13, 2022Structure & Body322,671 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Pathfinder vehicles. On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.
Risk: An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 26, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are R22A2 R22A3 and R24B7.
- NHTSA 21V020000Jan 20, 2021Electrical System264,431 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. The location of the brake light switch may cause the brake light switch relay to repeatedly open and close. Overtime, this can cause the relay to stick in the "ON" position, with the brake lights remaining illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, this may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: Continual illumination of the brake lights can prevent other drivers from realizing the vehicle is actually slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash. With the brake override activated, the driver will not be able to accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. The driver can shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, either re-install the brake light switch or swap positions with the Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) switch; depending on the model year vehicle. In addition, the brake light relay will be replaced with a new one. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall PC786. Note: this recall supersedes 16V-380.
- NHTSA 16V380000May 31, 2016Electrical System79,853 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to June 13, 2013. The brake light switch may have been installed incorrectly causing the relay to make intermittent contact and repeatedly cycle. This may result in the relay remaining in the "ON" position, causing the brake lights to remain illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, the brake light switch may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: If the brake override is activated, the driver will not be accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. If the brake lights remain illuminated, other drivers may fail to stop when the vehicle actually brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. If the driver inadvertently shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake light switch and, as necessary, replace the relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2014 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
- Compared to other Pathfinder model years, the 2014 ranks 2nd worst out of 20 years tracked, with a complaint index of 95 and 574 complaints, mostly tied to Transmission & Powertrain issues (37% of complaints).
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints are the largest category, accounting for 214 of 574 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 42,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2014 Pathfinder, covering areas including Structure & Body, Electrical System, Airbags, Brakes, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires.
- Are brake problems common in the 2014 Pathfinder?
- Brakes account for 41 complaints and 9 crashes, one of the higher crash counts among problem areas, with a median failure mileage of 53,452 miles.
- How does the 2014 Pathfinder compare to the 2013 model?
- The 2013 Pathfinder has a slightly higher complaint index of 100 versus 95 for 2014, and both years carry an Avoid verdict with 11 recalls each.