2016 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
43/100
#9 most-complained of 15 Pathfinder years
The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder ranks 9th worst out of 15 model years, with a complaint index of 43 and a "Good" verdict relative to other Pathfinder years. NHTSA lists 105 complaints, 2 recalls, and 10 crashes, with Engine as the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 105
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 26 hwy
Top 2016 Nissan Pathfinder problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Owners report brake pedals fading or sinking to the floor while slowing down or stopping, sometimes leading to collisions.
- Some describe the engine making an unusual humming or bee-like noise, with dealers telling them it was normal.
- One owner reported difficulty finding replacement radiator fan and shroud parts, with a mechanic warning the engine could overheat and stall.
- Airbag-related complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in a crash and an "airbag off" warning light staying on after a repair attempt.
- A structure and body complaint described front seats collapsing during a rear-end collision.
2016 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
2 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 16V244000Apr 26, 2016Airbags3,296,947 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2016 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 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.
2016 compared with other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
- Compared to other Pathfinder model years, 2016 ranks 9th worst out of 15 with a complaint index of 43, earning a "Good" verdict relative to the rest of the lineup. NHTSA lists 105 complaints and 2 recalls for this year.
- What is the top problem area for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?
- Engine complaints make up 29% of all reported issues, the largest share, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Pathfinder: one for a secondary hood latch issue (campaign 22V420000) and one for airbag reprogramming (campaign 16V244000). Neither is listed as a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2016 Pathfinder compare to the 2013-2015 Pathfinder?
- The 2013, 2014, and 2015 Pathfinders all carry "Avoid" verdicts with much higher complaint indexes of 100, 93, and 86 respectively. The 2016 model's complaint index of 43 is significantly lower.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?
- EPA rates the 2016 Pathfinder at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.