Last updated: 2026-03-04

Predicted

2026 Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Score & Common Problems

Name: 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Brand: Nissan

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has a predicted reliability score of 75/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 0 recalls and 1 owner complaint.

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

per 10k sold

Est. Annual Cost

$542

Below avg

Major Repair Risk

15%

NHTSA Rating

5/5

Consider

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 75/100 — worth considering.

Top Issues

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)

Should You Buy the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has a predicted reliability score of 75/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance.

So far: 0 recalls, 1 owner complaint. Early complaint volume is still developing.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder for an earlier comparison.

Pros

Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
$31 cheaper to maintain than avg midsize SUVs
Low major repair risk (15%)
No recalls issued

Cons

Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
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Compare 2026 Nissan Pathfinder With

Predicted

2026 Toyota Highlander

Predicted: 72/100

Predicted

2026 Ford Explorer

Predicted: 72/100

Predicted

2026 Chevrolet Traverse

Predicted: 73/100

Predicted

2026 Honda Pilot

Predicted: 72/100

Predicted

2026 Toyota Grand Highlander

Predicted: 75/100

Common Problem Categories

Other

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has no recalls on record, which is uncommon and a positive indicator of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

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

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 Pathfinder Repair 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.

Check Any 2026 Nissan Pathfinder's History Before You Buy

Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2026 Pathfinder in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Nissan Pathfinder with a free VIN lookup.

Run a Free VIN Check

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

Best Nissan Pathfinder Years to Buy

The best Nissan Pathfinder year is 2025 with a reliability score of 78/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2020 (78/100) and 2024 (74/100).

Good

2025

1 recall · 25 complaints

Good

2020

0 recalls · 43 complaints

Good

2024

2 recalls · 38 complaints

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.

Good

2022

5 recalls · 119 complaints

See full Nissan Pathfinder years-to-avoid analysis →

Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Score Trend

Nissan Pathfinder reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 73/100.

avg 73

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

Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	75/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	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?

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has a predicted reliability score of 75/100 ("Good") based on prior model year data. So far there are 0 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

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

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. Based on prior model years, review known issues from previous years to understand potential problem areas.

How many recalls does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder have?

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

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 75/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

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. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.