YearToAvoid

2020 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

21/100

#16 most-complained of 20 Pathfinder years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder ranks Best among 20 model years, with 48 complaints and a complaint index of 21, the 16th worst (so among the lowest) of all years. It has no recalls on record and engine issues are the top problem area.

Complaints
48
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
20 city / 27 hwy

Top 2020 Nissan Pathfinder problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine18 (38%)
  2. Electrical System11 (23%)
  3. Other8 (17%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain8 (17%)
  5. Brakes6 (13%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (10%)
  7. Fuel System4 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
  9. Structure & Body2 (4%)
  10. Airbags1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Some owners report the brakes emitting a high-pitched noise along with brake fluid leaking at very low mileage.
  • Others describe the brakes applying on their own without the driver pressing the pedal while driving at low speed.
  • Owners report a backup camera that periodically shorts out or goes blank, sometimes along with rear parking sensors failing.
  • A recurring issue is a smell of antifreeze inside the cabin while driving or idling, which owners say can only be worked around by keeping the ventilation on recirculate.
  • Some drivers report the check engine light coming on intermittently due to a failed oxygen sensor.
  • Owners describe engine pinging, knocking, and hesitation or surging under steady throttle at low RPM, which they say worsens over time.
2020 Nissan Pathfinder complaints: complaints filed per month7Jun 2020Jan 2022Jan 2023Dec 2023Sep 2024Jul 2025Mar 2026
68 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2026 (7).

2020 Nissan Pathfinder recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2020 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
27 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.

2020 compared with other Pathfinder years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Caution2677322
2019Caution3276222
2020Best2148022
2022Caution63135523
2023Caution53104122.5

All Nissan Pathfinder years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Pathfinder carries a Best verdict compared to other Pathfinder model years, with 48 complaints and a complaint index of 21.
Does the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2020 Pathfinder in this data.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder?
Engine complaints are the top problem area, making up 38% of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 23%.
What year Nissan Pathfinder should I avoid?
According to NHTSA complaint data, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, and 2014 are rated Avoid for the Pathfinder, with complaint indexes of 89, 84, 79, 100, and 95 respectively, far higher than the 2020 model's index of 21.
How is the 2020 Pathfinder's fuel economy?
EPA rates the 2020 Pathfinder at 22 mpg combined (20 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.