2026 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Compared with other Nissan Pathfinder years
Too new to compare
- Model years are compared once their first three years of complaints are in; the 2026 can be compared from 2029.
- Most reported part: Transmission and drivetrain (4 complaints).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 76,900miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 21 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and other or unknown (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,900 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 20%
- Other or unknown3 20%
- Electrical system2 13%
- Steering2 13%
- Air bags1 6.7%
- Fuel system1 6.7%
Also reported: Lane departure (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “When driving anywhere from 30-50 mph the vehicle goes into Neutral without any warning. I know this because when I accelerated the engine just revved. This has happened when I was driving and also happened when my husband was driving. This has happened approximately 8-10 times since owning the vehicle. If I had been crossing an intersection when this happened it could cause a crash. One time I did pull over on the side of the road to keep the car behind me from running into me since I lost the ability to accelerate.I have less than 5,000 miles on my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11772942, filed 2026-10Brakes: “While pulling my 2026 Nissan Pathfinder into my residential driveway at low speed, I pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not slow or stop. There was no resistance on the brake and I continued to try to compress it, but it went all the way to the floor with no effective stopping response. No front sonar/parking-collision warning sounded as the vehicle approached the house and exterior HVAC unit, and no automatic emergency braking intervention occurred. I had to choose between continuing into the garage, striking a brick wall, or steering past the house. …”
NHTSA complaint #11765919, filed 2026-09Other or unknown: “My brand new Pathfinder platinum 2026 is very hard to drive on grooved concrete roads. It tramlines severely and the car sways dangerously back and forth needing constant steering adjustments. I believe it could be the Bridgestone Alenza tires on it but not 100% sure. It is very dangerous and the general manager at Nampa Idaho has told me is is aware of this problem too but there is nothing he can do. I had to exit the freeway when this happened because the car was jerking back and forth so bad. All steering assist was turned off so that is not the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11770065, filed 2026-10Electrical system: “After the vehicle sits for several hours, the remote start system fails every time. Both the key fob remote start and the NissanConnect app remote start do not work, even though the vehicle shows as connected. The start command is aborted internally until the vehicle is physically moved a few feet. A dealership porter also could not remote‑start the vehicle at my home, and this is documented. This creates a safety concern because I transport disabled children and medical equipment, and the vehicle may fail to start when needed.”
NHTSA complaint #11736716, filed 2026-05Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,800 and 152,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 15.5% risk |
| Pathfinder · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2026 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2025: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2026 Nissan Pathfinder version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek | 3.5L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 11033029May 1, 2026Wheels. QUALITY ACTION CAMPAIGN BULLETIN Spare Tire Label Campaign ID : PD194 *****Dea ler An n ou ncem e nt ***** To ensure continued customer satisfaction and confidence, Nissan is conducting a Dealer…
- 11031720Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11028685Jan 22, 2026Body and structure. METAL TICKING NOISE AT B-PILLAR IF YOU CONFIRM A metallic ticking noise is coming from the driver (LH) side and/or passenger (RH) side B-Pillar when driving the vehicle on various road surfaces…
Other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 76,900 | 0 | 5 | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 57 | 9,000 | 1 | 5 | 23 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 86 | 13,500 | 2 | 5 | 23 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 107 | 15,800 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 68 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 136 | 11,500 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 53 | 19,700 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 7 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2019 | 76 | 40,000 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 26 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2018 | 78 | 16,000 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 188 | 42,710 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 63 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 105 | 48,900 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 321 | 44,254 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 96 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 576 | 47,500 | 11 | 5 | 22 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 891 | 15,000 | 11 | 4 | 22 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2012 | 23 | 87,000 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 45 | 46,000 | 2 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 40 | 111,386 | 4 | — | 18 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 37 | 91,000 | 3 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 328 | 106,534 | 4 | — | 17 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 561 | 99,123 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 837 | 93,000 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 1,050 | 90,024 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 67 | 76,684 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 110 | 100,750 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 156 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 230 | 99,782 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 112 | 124,697 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 104 | 130,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 149 | 112,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 217 | 113,400 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 159 | 121,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 170 | 127,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 91 | 127,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 49 | 141,500 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 123,698 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 39 | 157,016 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | 192,412 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 17 | 148,000 | 2 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 19 | — | 2 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
All Nissan Pathfinder model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder (Pathfinder 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,900 miles and the middle half falls between 1,800 and 152,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.