Last updated: 2026-10-10

Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder Years to Avoid

8 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 74/100

Skip the 2018 and 2022 Pathfinder. The 2018 has CVT trouble that cuts power to the wheels, while the 2022 has rear brakes that wear out fast and a transmission that drops into neutral. The 2020 is the year to buy instead.

Verdict

Avoid
2022 66/1002018 68/100
Buy
2020 78/100
Model average
74/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Nissan Pathfinder Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Nissan Pathfinder average of 74/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202266/100Good5119Service Brakes (18)
2201868/100Good374Power Train (10)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good

2022 Nissan Pathfinder

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.

5 recalls119 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Service Brakes (18), Power Train (17), Unknown Or Other (16), Seats (14), Electrical System (11), Vehicle Speed Control (6)

View full 2022reliability report →
68
GoodReliability score: 68 out of 100, rated Good

2018 Nissan Pathfinder

Owners describe a CVT that slips, whines, or stops sending power to the wheels, at freeway speeds and below 20 mph. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. The display control unit also goes blank, and a front radar fault shuts off cruise control and emergency braking. Federal records list 3 recalls.

3 recalls74 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Power Train (10), Unknown Or Other (9), Electrical System (8), Vehicle Speed Control (8), Engine (6), Steering (6)

View full 2018reliability report →

What Are Common Nissan Pathfinder Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

64 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2022, 2020

2023: Stalling and unexpected shifts into neutral come up most, often when auto stop/start restarts the engine at a light.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

64 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2022, 2019

2023: The transmission drops into neutral on its own, sometimes at highway speed, and the engine revs until the driver shifts back to drive.

POWER TRAIN

60 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2018

2022: The transmission shifts itself into neutral while driving and cuts power in traffic, on highway merges or below 40 mph.

SERVICE BRAKES

58 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2020

2022: Rear brake pads wear out far faster than the fronts, often before 20,000 miles and rarely lasting past 42,000.

ENGINE

32 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2018

2020: Misfires, knocking, and loss of power are the main pattern.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

21 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2022, 2019

2018: Intelligent cruise control cuts out when the front radar reports an obstruction.

Best Nissan Pathfinder Year to Buy Instead

78
GoodReliability score: 78 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Nissan Pathfinder

The 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.

Score: 78/100 (Good)0 recalls43 complaints
View full 2020reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Nissan Pathfinder Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Nissan Pathfinder years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2018 and 2022. Both sit well below the model's own average. The 2018 has CVT power loss and radar faults that disable cruise control. The 2022 has rear brakes that wear out quickly, a transmission that shifts into neutral, and a low passenger seat.
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have transmission problems?
The 2018 and 2022 stand out. In the 2018, owners report the CVT slipping, whining, or sending no power to the wheels. In the 2022, they report the transmission shifting into neutral in traffic or on highway merges. Dealers often could not reproduce either fault.
What is wrong with the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder?
Brakes, transmission, and seats lead the complaints. Rear pads often wear out before 20,000 miles, and some owners replaced them several times. The transmission can drop into neutral and cut power. The 2022 also has the highest complaint rate of any year and 5 recalls.
Is the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder a good year?
It is acceptable but not the top choice. It has 2 recalls and one fire report. Owners also report display control unit failures on 2018 and 2019 models, with some saying their VINs were left out of a voluntary recall. The 2020 is cleaner.
Which Nissan Pathfinder year is the best one to buy instead?
The 2020 is the better buy. It has no recalls and fewer complaints than the 2018, 2019, 2022, or 2023. It avoids the 2018 CVT power loss and the 2022 rear brake wear. Have the engine inspected, since timing chain wear shows up in complaints.

How we score every Nissan Pathfinder model year

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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