What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?

Owners file the most complaints about the engine group, with 28. Air bags come next with 19 and brakes with 14.

Does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 2 recalls for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

How many complaints does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have?

NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Complaints are one signal, with 107 on file. The sections on this page show recalls, safety ratings and how this year compares with others.

2016 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder^[1]. The biggest group names the engine, with 28 complaints^[2].

107owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

21–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under several component groups, and these are the biggest ones.

Engine. 28 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a cooling fan that gets loud or fails, and some say the part was hard to find. Others mention an odd humming sound that a dealer called normal.
Unknown or other. 21 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a clear component group, so there is no single theme to retell.
Air bags. 19 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a passenger air bag warning light that stays on or comes on at odd times. Some also write about waiting for parts to finish a repair.
Brakes. 14 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a pedal that sinks toward the floor, and a car that creeps while stopped. Some of these reports mention a crash.
Electrical system. 11 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a driver window that balks in the cold, cooling fan trouble, and a screen that turned solid blue.
Power train. 8 complaints^[10].
Wheels. 4 complaints^[11].
Visibility and wipers. 4 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2016 Pathfinder is necessarily included.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch (22V420), June 2022. About 322,671 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification (16V244), April 2016. About 3,296,947 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Pathfinder 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	20 / 27 / 23	$2,900
Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[15]	19 / 26 / 22	$3,050
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[16]	19 / 26 / 21	$3,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	17.9%
SUV FWD^[17]	5	4	5	4	17.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2016 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[18]	260 hp

How 2016 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pathfinder model year. The 2016 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	170	0
1996	159	3
1997	217	2
1998	149	2
1999	104	2
2000	112	2
2001	230	3
2002	156	5
2003	110	3
2004	67	3
2005	1,050	2
2006	837	3
2007	561	1
2008	328	4
2009	37	3
2010	40	4
2011	45	2
2012	23	2
2013	890	11
2014	585	12
2015	321	6
2016	107	2
2017	186	2
2018	78	3
2019	76	2
2020	48	0
2022	136	5
2023	107	1
2024	86	2
2025	55	1
2026	12	0

NHTSA's counts for the Pathfinder show 107 complaints and 2 recalls for 2016^[3]. Among the 31 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2016 and 17 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (12) and the most are for 2005 (1,050)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2016 Pathfinder?

The 2016 Pathfinder has 107 complaints on file^[1]. Engine reports lead the list at 28^[2], and air bags follow with 19^[7] and brakes with 14^[8]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many SUVs were sold. A used one deserves a careful look at the cooling fan, the air bag light and the brake pedal feel. The page also lists recalls for this year, so check them before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?: Owners file the most complaints about the engine group, with 28^[2]. Air bags come next with 19^[7] and brakes with 14^[8].
Does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 2 recalls for this model year^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have?: NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file^[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?: Complaints are one signal, with 107 on file^[1]. The sections on this page show recalls, safety ratings and how this year compares with others.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

2005 1,050 complaints, 2 recalls
2006 837 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 23 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 890 complaints, 11 recalls
2014 585 complaints, 12 recalls
2015 321 complaints, 6 recalls
2016 this page
2017 186 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 78 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 76 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 48 complaints, 0 recalls
2025 55 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Other Nissan models from 2016

2016 Nissan Rogue 542 complaints, 7 recalls
2016 Nissan Sentra 270 complaints, 6 recalls
2016 Nissan Versa 110 complaints, 0 recalls
2016 Nissan Frontier 43 complaints, 1 recall
2016 Nissan Maxima 142 complaints, 8 recalls
2016 Nissan Murano 108 complaints, 6 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2016: small suvs

2016 Acura RDX 41 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 Audi Q5 78 complaints, 5 recalls
2016 Chevrolet Equinox 399 complaints, 1 recall
2016 Dodge Journey 389 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 Ford Edge 926 complaints, 7 recalls
2016 Ford Escape 1,162 complaints, 4 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Pathfinder model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Pathfinder 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,228). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the wheels component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V420, filed June 13, 2022: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V244, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2016 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 260 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2016 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and fuel economy