Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan Pathfinder Reliability by Year
Nissan Pathfinder reliability is good for a midsize SUV, with $542 a year in estimated repairs. CVT and engine failures are the big worries.
Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Overview
Good overall for a midsize SUV, with repair costs a little under the class average. The 2020 is the year to favor, with no recalls and fewer complaints than 2018, 2019, 2022, or 2023. Watch the 2018 and 2022. The main worries are a CVT that cuts power to the wheels and engines that fail without much warning.
Current generation: 5th gen (2022–2023), facelifted 2023.
Best & Worst Nissan Pathfinder Years
Best Nissan Pathfinder Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2020 has no recalls and fewer complaints than the 2018 or 2022, which suffer from CVT power loss and fast-wearing rear brakes. Its complaints lean toward key fob door locks and a backup camera that cuts out. Check the engine history, since timing chain wear and stalling do appear.
Nissan Pathfinder Years to Avoid
Rear brake pads wear out far faster than the fronts, often before 20,000 miles, usually with no dashboard warning. Owners also report the transmission shifting itself into neutral in traffic and cutting power. The front passenger seat sits very low with no height adjustment. Federal records list 5 recalls.
Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Score Trend
Nissan Pathfinder reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 77/100 compared to 71/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
0 recalls · 1 complaints
Top-ranked of the scored Pathfinder years with one complaint and no recalls, though its short time on the road limits how much that proves.
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
1 recalls · 25 complaints
Good reliability and a 5-star federal crash rating, with a brake recall and scattered reports of electrical faults and a transmission stuck in low gear.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder
2 recalls · 38 complaints
Good standing and mid-pack among Pathfinder years, with stop-start stalling and neutral drops as the main complaints and two recalls on seat belts and air bags.
2023 Nissan Pathfinder
1 recalls · 86 complaints
Middle of the pack among Pathfinder years, with just one recall against five for 2022, and complaints centered on stop/start stalling and early rear brake wear.
2022 Nissan Pathfinder
5 recalls · 119 complaints
Weakest of the eight scored years, with fast rear brake wear, shifts into neutral, and five recalls, three of them on seats.
2020 Nissan Pathfinder
0 recalls · 43 complaints
Final year of the fourth generation, with no recalls and fewer complaints than 2019, though engine and CVT trouble still show up in owner reports.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder
2 recalls · 71 complaints
Good standing and above average for its class, but two recalls, brake pedal drops, and engine failures separate it from the better-rated 2020.
2018 Nissan Pathfinder
3 recalls · 74 complaints
Close to average for its class but among the weaker Pathfinder years, with CVT trouble, radar cruise faults, and three recalls including two park-outside fire-risk notices.
Found Your Nissan Pathfinder? Check Its History
Electrical system (9) problems come up most in Nissan Pathfinder owner complaints, and 14 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Nissan Pathfinder Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$542
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk
15%
$31 below the midsize SUVs average of $573/yr.
Ranked #17 of 26 among midsize SUVs.
Nissan Pathfinder Resale Value
The Nissan Pathfinder is estimated to retain about 52.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 52.3%
- Depreciation
- 47.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 127
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Nissan Pathfinder depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comNissan Pathfinder Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare all Nissan models by reliability
Compare Nissan Pathfinder With Similar SUVs
The Nissan Pathfinder competes with other midsize suvs such as Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Kia Telluride.
Pathfinder vs Ford Explorer
9 years tracked · 2694 complaints
Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander
9 years tracked · 1892 complaints
Pathfinder vs Kia Telluride
6 years tracked · 1600 complaints
Pathfinder vs Chevrolet Traverse
9 years tracked · 1417 complaints
Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot
9 years tracked · 2382 complaints
More Nissan Pathfinder comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Nissan Pathfinder?
- The 2020 is the best pick. It has no recalls and fewer owner complaints than the 2018, 2019, 2022, or 2023. Its common issues are electrical, like key fob door locks and a backup camera that cuts out. Engine wear is the item to check before buying.
- Is the Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
- Yes, overall reliability is good, and it stands above average among SUVs on the site. Results vary by year. The 2018 and 2022 are well below the model's own average, while the 2020 holds up best. Engine and CVT failures are the serious risks.
- What are the most common Nissan Pathfinder problems?
- Electrical faults lead the list, especially a display control unit that goes blank or loops and a radar sensor that fails. Next come power train complaints, where the CVT slips or acts as if it is in neutral. Brake and engine complaints follow, with engine failures the most severe.
- How much does it cost to repair a Nissan Pathfinder?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $542. That is a little below the $573 average for midsize SUVs. Cost can climb sharply if the engine or CVT fails, since owners report full engine replacements.
- Is the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder the most reliable year?
- Not necessarily. The 2026 has only one owner complaint and no recalls, but it has had very little time on the road to collect reports. Treat it as too new to judge. The 2020 has a longer record and is the safer pick.
How we score the Nissan Pathfinder
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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