2025 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2025 Nissan Pathfinder most often describe glass cracking or shattering without an impact, along with sudden power loss or stalling. Forward collision and emergency braking warnings, and transmission shifts into unexpected gears, are also frequently described. Because this model year is recent, the reports cover a short period of ownership, and dealers in several complaints could not reproduce the symptoms.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Glass cracking or shattering with no impact

   • 12 complaints (21%)
   • median 12,000 mi at 1.6 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe rear windows, the windshield, sunroof or hatch glass breaking while the car is parked or driving, with no impact or outside cause noted. Some describe a loud bang and glass fragments inside the cabin. Some owners say the dealer described the failure as known on similar vehicles, while others say the dealer found no cause. Where mileage is given, reports fall between about 7,000 and 12,000 miles, and the rear, hatch and windshield failures were described while the car was parked, while sunroof failures were described while driving.

   What to check: Ask whether any glass has been replaced, and look over all glass, including the sunroof and rear glass, for existing cracks or chips. Ask whether the dealer has any record of prior glass failures on this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving along a 2-lane country road the glass in the panoramic sunroof suddenly exploded. Glass shards rained down into the passenger compartment. Luckily no cuts or other injuries were incurred. The could have been a more serious situation had my wife swerved the vehicle when the glass exploded. I am currently at the dealership for them to examine it. I am aware that this has been a known issue on previous Pathfinder models as well.”

   NHTSA complaint #11672448, filed 2025-07

   “I purchased the car in June 2025 and the sunroof exploded while I was driving down the highway in Dec. 2025. The explosion scared me, the driver. Shattered glass covered me, my front passenger, and my adult son in the back seat. He was bleeding on his hand with a minor cut. My sunroof was replaced in January 2025 after 14 days in the shop. It was leaking again in March so my roof was ripped apart again with 10 days in the shop. It leaked again in June 2025. There was not warning. It just exploded with a huge noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11770989, filed 2026-10
2. 2
   Engine

   Sudden power loss, stalling, or reduced-power mode

   • 10 complaints (18%)
   • median 250 mi at 1.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the engine losing power suddenly at highway speed or uphill, sometimes with an engine malfunction or reduced-power warning, and in some cases the engine shuts off while driving. Some report the car would not restart on the first attempt, and in some cases the transmission failed to engage after power returned. Dealers reportedly could not replicate the problem or cleared the code, and owners say the warning returned later. Few complaints state mileage, and the stated figure is about 250 miles, while several describe episodes on cold days or while driving uphill.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for warning lights and drive uphill or at highway speed to see whether power returns normally, and ask the dealer for any stored fault or warning history. Ask whether any engine or transmission control software updates have been recorded for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “serious incident that happened. While we were driving heading uphill to the beach, the check engine light and multiple warnings suddenly appeared. It said 'transmission error' and 'engine power reduced,' and the car just shut down with the kids inside. We were at risk of the car rolling backwards. I really think this is a major safety issue tied to the vehicle's design or manufacturing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11721628, filed 2026-03

   “Engine malfunction with loss of power occurred while driving. The vehicle entered reduced speed mode which created a dangerous situation for myself and others. This problem occurred 3 consecutive times during an extremely cold day. The code will clear after restarting the engine, but the issue randomly resumes during driving. Nissan towed the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer cleared the code and suggested they could not figure out the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11711631, filed 2026-01
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   Forward collision (AEB) warning or radar failure

   • 19 complaints (33%)
   • median 7,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe a forward collision or automatic emergency braking warning that flashes or comes and goes, sometimes with cruise control and other driver assistance features turning off. Some complaints describe the car slowing unexpectedly, including a stall on a railroad crossing while the warning light was on. Dealers reportedly found a faulty front radar in some cases, and in others could duplicate the warning but had no fix at the time. Few complaints state mileage, with the figure given at about 9,000 miles, and some describe the warning appearing while on the highway.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Start the car and check whether any forward collision, AEB, or driver assistance warning lights come on, and ask the dealer to scan for stored radar codes. Ask whether the service bulletin for AEB warnings with stored radar codes has been applied, and whether the front radar has been replaced or updated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought my 2025 Pathfinder in November 2025. In early December, the automatic emergency braking symbol started flashing; I took it to the Nissan dealership in Downey, and they told me that unless there was a permanent error code, they couldn't do anything. After reading comments and forum posts, I saw that this was a common issue caused by sunlight and such, so I didn't worry too much about it, but it kept happening. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11745429, filed 2026-06

   “3-25-25 I got into my car at approximately 7:20 am with my children to take them to school and as soon as I drove out of my driveway I noticed a warning light flashing on my dashboard. I drove for maybe a mile before pulling over to turn my car off and back on to see if it would go away. I also called my husband to inform him and he looked it up to see what the light was. He said it was the automatic emergency braking (AEB) warning light. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11650485, filed 2025-03
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifts unexpectedly or fails to shift

   • 12 complaints (21%)
   • median 250 mi at 1.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the transmission switching to low gear or manual first without input, or into neutral on its own, sometimes on the interstate. Some say the car stays in low gear and will not disengage until the engine is turned off and restarted, and others report a reverse gear that does not engage. Owners describe the car failing to accelerate normally or hesitating while entering traffic. Mileage is rarely stated, though some complaints describe these shifts occurring at low mileage, and others describe them while merging into traffic or stopped at a light.

   What to check: On a test drive, shift through all positions, including reverse, and merge into moving traffic to see whether the car holds the selected gear. Ask whether any transmission software or control module updates have been recorded, and whether the rearview camera has any stored fault codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1. 1st week having car was leaving to go on a trip, I pulled into a gas station. A driver pulled up next to us and told us we had no break lights. ( it was still dark outsid!) I got out of my car and have my wife step on the breaks, and sure enough no break lights. It was set on standard head lights on! We found that putting it into the auto light setting that we then had break lights. (break lights should never be discounted)! 2. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11681338, filed 2025-08

   “I have had my 2025 pathfinder act up over the last two months. It acts up at the most inconvenient time. I have notice that it kicks into low gear when I am pulling out into traffic. It will not disengage at all during this time. The only way that I can get out of low gear, is to pull over and stop, turn off the engine and then turn it back on. After turning off the engine and restarting it goes back to driving normal. This has happen on and off over the past two months. It has been reported to Clark Nissan in Abilene, Texas. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11682910, filed 2025-08
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal loss, worn pads, or ABS warning

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 5,000 mi at 0.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal losing resistance or not slowing the car normally, including a case where the car only slowed after the pedal was pressed hard to the floor. Some report rear brake pads worn to the metal at a low mileage with a grinding noise, and others describe an ABS warning light that came back after a repair. According to complaints, a brake fluid leak was found in some cases and an ABS system repair was needed in others. Where mileage is given, reports fall between about 5,000 and 10,400 miles, and the pedal and ABS problems are described while driving at highway speed.

   What to check: Test the pedal feel with the engine running and while parked, and check for a brake fluid leak or worn pads at all wheels, including the rear. Ask whether the front brake caliper recall has been completed and whether any ABS warning records are on file.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The hydraulic braking system failed, causing a complete loss of brake pedal resistance and a severe brake fluid leak. The vehicle is currently located at an authorized Nissan dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle suffered a sudden braking failure while traveling at highway speeds with my family inside. The brake pedal lost all resistance, requiring me to slam the pedal completely to the floor just to slow the vehicle down from 30 mph to 10 mph. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11759683, filed 2026-08

   “On july 18 2026, I was stand still on South bound Tampa ave and Norfhoff, city of northridge CA .When suddenly car it accelerated from AUTO HOLD I push my service brake but dont response, and unfortunately rear end then car front on me, after the collision the car going in reverse in accelerated way finally stop and the car, and remained accelerated for couple minutes. My safety was in risk, and for family and other drivers, will be bad accident i I was in crosswalk, trust in AUTO HOLD SYSTEM. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11772304, filed 2026-10

Buying note. A buyer considering this model year may want all glass, including the sunroof and rear glass, inspected, and may ask whether the front brake caliper recall has been completed. Ask for service records of any power loss, transmission, or braking repairs, since the model year is recent and records may be limited.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 53 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.