Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 82/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Brand: Nissan

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder scores 82/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 1 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$542

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,600–$3,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint SeverityN/A

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue DiversityN/A

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.

Top Issues to Watch

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)

Should You Buy the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder earns an Excellent 82/100 reliability score.

Across 0 recalls and 1 owner complaints, the ownership picture is dependable.

A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.

See also the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+$31 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
+Low major repair risk (15%)
+No recalls issued
+Low complaint frequency

Cons

−BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)

Compare 2026 Nissan Pathfinder With

2026 Ford Explorer

Reliability: 70/100

Good

2026 Toyota Highlander

Reliability: 84/100

Excellent

2026 Honda Pilot

Reliability: 81/100

Excellent

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Reliability: 70/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Other

LOW RISK

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Nissan Pathfinder? Check its history first

Every 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Nissan Pathfinder NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 4/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 16.9%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row, 3rd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row, 3rd row)Driver Monitoring System (Info Not Available)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan PathfinderRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$542

vs $573 avg for midsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

15%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Pathfinder

$542

Category Avg

$573

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

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.

This benchmark covers the Nissan Pathfinder model overall and is not specific to the 2026 model year.

Value Retained: 52.3%
Depreciation: 47.7%
Listings Analyzed: 127

Listings observed in May 2021. This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Nissan Pathfinder depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

21–23 MPG

Running cost: $3,150–$3,850/yr

Fuel + repair

20–21 city / 23–27 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Pathfinder 2WD 3.5L 6-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S9)	21	27	23	$2,600
Pathfinder 4WD 3.5L 6-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S9)	21	26	23	$2,600
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum 3.5L 6-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S9)	20	25	22	$2,700
Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek 3.5L 6-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S9)	20	23	21	$3,300

2026 Nissan Pathfinder Common Problems by Component

1 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

2026-02-05

The contact owns a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera displayed a blank screen. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

Best & Worst Nissan Pathfinder Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Nissan Pathfinder Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Nissan Pathfinder year is 2026 with a reliability score of 82/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2025 (78/100) and 2020 (78/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

2026

(Current Model)

0Recalls

1Complaints

Good

2025

1Recalls

25Complaints

Good

2020

0Recalls

43Complaints

Nissan Pathfinder Years to Avoid

The worst Nissan Pathfinder year is 2022 with a score of 66/100, primarily due to service brakes (18) issues. Also avoid 2018 (68/100).

Good

2022

5Recalls

119Complaints

Good

2018

3Recalls

74Complaints

See full Nissan Pathfinder years-to-avoid analysis

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. Current year highlighted.

Nissan Pathfinder reliability scores by year
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

Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	82/100	+4	Excellent	0	1
2025	78/100	+4	Good	1	25
2024	74/100	0	Good	2	38
2023	74/100	+8	Good	1	86
2022	66/100	-12	Good	5	119
2020	78/100	+7	Good	0	43
2019	71/100	+3	Good	2	71
2018	68/100	—	Good	3	74

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Yes, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is considered highly reliable with a score of 82/100 ("Excellent"). It has 0 recalls and a complaint rate below the segment average, placing it among the more dependable vehicles in its class.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder include: BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder have?

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

Is the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder expensive to maintain?

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is expected to have below-average maintenance costs at $542/year, which is $31 less than the midsize SUVs average of $573. Its high reliability score of 82/100 and complaint rate below the segment average suggest that unexpected repairs are uncommon.

Don’t buy a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Nissan Pathfinder.

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