2024 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around the rear brakes wearing out early, with owners often told at routine service that pads and rotors need replacing well before the front ones wear. A second recurring theme is a sudden loss of electrical power or warning lights across several systems, plus assorted drivability and infotainment complaints. Most reports arrive in the first couple of years of ownership and at relatively low mileage.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Rear brake pads and rotors wearing out early

   • 20 complaints (23%)
   • median 19,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe rear brake pads and rotors being worn out or needing resurfacing at mileages they consider low, sometimes while the front pads still have most of their material left. Several report being told this is normal wear, or that lane-assist and cruise systems may be contributing; others describe caliper leakage found on a second opinion. A few mention the rear brakes were found metal-to-metal with little or no warning. Mostly reported between roughly 13,000 and 27,000 miles, often discovered during routine service visits.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for the rear brake pad measurements in writing and compare them with the front; have the rear calipers checked for leaks. Get a pre-purchase inspection that measures pad thickness rather than relying on the seller's word.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Bought new 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, 20 months and 16,000 miles later I need new brakes and rotors. It was in for service at the 12 month / 10,000 mile mark and the rear brakes read 8/32nds. 8 months and 6,000 miles later my rear brakes are at 1/32nds and 2/32nds. I was told it was normal wear and tear.”

   NHTSA complaint #11740502, filed 2026-05

   “1st my rear brakes and rotors had to be replaced before 36000 miles and 36 months then my battery needed replaced before 35000 miles and around 27 months. There are complaints on these issues why haven't they been recalled check 2022, 2023 and 2024 nisaan pathfinder please major safety issues”

   NHTSA complaint #11746892, filed 2026-06
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Sudden electrical shutdown and multiple warning lights

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the dash lighting up with several malfunction messages at once, sometimes followed by loss of power, a stall, or a no-start condition. Owners report towing, repeated dealer visits with codes cleared or batteries replaced, and in some cases no root cause identified. A few describe the vehicle shutting down while driving or in traffic. Reported across a wide mileage range, from shortly after purchase to vehicles in the tens of thousands of miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the full service history and whether any battery, alternator, or control-unit repairs were done. Note that several service bulletins cover specific stored codes and infotainment control unit replacement, so ask whether those procedures were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The alternator gave out, and yes it was confirmed by concord Nissan, I have 4 kids in the car this was dangerous as to the car stopped on the freeway in a merging lane therefore the car kept shaking as we were waiting for help, we missed our flight to the airport. We could have gotten hit by a moving vehicle mean while we were waiting for the police to arrive. There were no warning signals prior to the incident”

   NHTSA complaint #11752129, filed 2026-07

   “Since we purchased the vehicle we noticed that power outlet would not work. We have taken this vehicle back to the dealership and even though they fix it as soon as we drive it out within in one or two hours it will give out again. The last time we took it they said not to use off the market cellphone chargers because that is what is making it not work. Then the AC has also stopped working a couple of times. All of sudden the truck will blow out hot instead of cold air. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11673779, filed 2025-07
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   Forward collision and cruise control systems dropping out

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 2.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners report the forward distance sensor or radar intermittently turning off, which they say also disables automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise. Some describe warning lights or radar-obstruction messages, and others say the systems cut out without warning while driving. Dealer responses described in complaints include being unable to duplicate the problem. Reported from low mileage up through the 30,000-mile range, including in rain and on the highway.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, confirm the AEB and cruise indicators stay lit and check for stored codes with a scan tool. Ask whether any of the AEB/radar bulletins have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine, ABS, Collison, Traction Control malfunction lights came on. I took it to the dealership and it was determined that the right wheel sensor was reading at 407 mph. After replacing the sensor, the lights came on within minutes of me leaving the dealership. The vehicle is at the dealership currently. With the recent engine replacement and returning within five days for the second issue twice is a safety risk given that the vehicle can brake at any minute while driving which can cause catatrophic danger to me and/or others. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11698823, filed 2025-11

   “Very unusual and excessive rear brake pads and rotor decay, I was asked by dealership to replace brake pads and rotor just at 22000 miles, and then after replacing again they are asking to replace just after another 19000 miles. And the automatic brake sometimes gets scary, get too close to the front vehicle without reducing speed while driving in cruise control mode.”

   NHTSA complaint #11721823, filed 2026-03
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission hesitation, no shift, or loss of power

   • 12 complaints (14%)
   • median 3,500 mi at 0.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Complaints describe the transmission failing to shift out of first gear, popping out of gear, whining, or losing power entirely while driving. Owners report having to stop and cycle the ignition to regain drive, and several mention repeat dealer visits or long stays without a resolution. A few describe transmission replacement. Reports range from a few thousand miles to roughly 35,000 miles, with some appearing within days of purchase.

   What to check: Drive the vehicle from a cold start through several stop-and-go cycles and confirm clean, prompt shifts. Ask for transmission-related repair or reprogramming records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a brand-new 2024 Nissan Pathfinder on December 18, 2024. Just seven days later, at only 1,198 miles, the transmission completely failed while driving, causing the vehicle to come to an unexpected stop and then shift into reverse without warning. This created a serious safety hazard for my family and other road users. The vehicle was out of service for 28 days due to delays in repairs. Even after the transmission was replaced, ongoing issues persist, including poor fuel economy. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11651268, filed 2025-03

   “i purchased 2024 pathfinder within days the car stopped while driving i had to pull over to restart VERY FRIGHTING!!! I called the dealer service department they said i had hit the gear shifter and told me be careful?? INSULTING!!! The car goes into first gear by itself and it is showing its in DRIVE??This must be investigated if i blow the engine cause it will not get out of 1st gear who is responsible ?? If there are so many complaints and this is very important why isnt nissan doing something to solve this problem? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11661769, filed 2025-05
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Water leaks from sunroof, hatch, and rear climate lines

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 8,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe water entering from the sunroof or rear hatch, sometimes in the third row or center console, with a musty smell or wet headliner. A recurring report involves coolant lines routed to the rear seat area leaking onto the floor or near the rear brakes. In several accounts the repair was repeated after the leak came back. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 33,000 miles, generally in rain or after washing.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the headliner, cargo floor, and third-row area for water stains or a musty smell after it rains, and look for coolant residue near the right rear wheel. Ask whether sunroof drains or rear coolant lines have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There are 2 antifreeze lines going to the back of the vehicle, they are to cool the 3rd row seats using air conditioning. Both lines were incorrectly designed so they have a repetitive failure rate of 100%. Both lines failed in March of 2025 and were replaced by Serra Nissan of Traverse City, MI. Both lines failed again and were confirmed by the dealer yesterday on 7-1-26. The first failure occurred at 8,401 miles. The second failure at 16,742. Anti freeze is spraying on the brakes of the rear passenger area, a major safety issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11747637, filed 2026-07

   “When it rains the sunroof leaks, took it the dealership, they replaced the drain grommets and it still does the same thing again two days later when it rain.”

   NHTSA complaint #11740521, filed 2026-05

Buying note. Have a used example inspected with attention to rear brake pad thickness and calipers, the electrical system and battery history, and any signs of water intrusion, since these come up repeatedly in owner complaints. Service records showing the relevant bulletins were applied are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.