What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?

Brakes have the most complaints, followed by reports that do not fit one group and then electrical issues. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes, the by-year data lists recalls for 2018. Open the recalls section on this page to see each one.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The fuel economy section on this page shows the EPA figures for this model year.

Is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. Those are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read the problems section and the safety section together.

Is 2018 a good year for the Nissan Pathfinder?

The year comparison section on this page puts 2018 next to the other years, so you can judge for yourself.

2018 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder^[1]. The brakes group is the biggest, with 21 of them^[2].

78owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[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

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Brakes. 21 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the front radar and collision warning dropping out on their own, which also switches off cruise control and automatic braking. Some say a warning light stays on and the dealer could not fix it.
Unknown or other. 18 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a single component group, so we do not say more about them.
Electrical system. 14 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a rear hatch that will not open reliably, doors that lock with the keys inside, a radio that loses its stations, and warning lights that come and go.
Engine. 13 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a failing cooling fan, odd noises from the front of the car, smoke from the tailpipe, and the car shutting off while driving.
Power train. 12 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the car feeling like it slips or drops into neutral at speed, and a four wheel drive setting that does not stay on.
Speed control. 9 complaints^[10]. We list the group here without more detail.
Steering. 6 complaints^[11]. We list the group here without more detail.
Electronic stability control. 6 complaints^[12]. We list the group here without more detail.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Pathfinder is necessarily included.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (19V807), November 2019. About 391,479 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (19V654), September 2019. About 1,228,830 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.^[14]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (18V601), September 2018. About 215,124 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

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^[16]	19 / 26 / 22	$3,050
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[17]	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^[18]	5	4	5	4	17.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[19]	284 hp

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pathfinder model year. The 2018 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 78 complaints and 3 recalls for 2018^[3]. Among the 31 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 21 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 2018 Pathfinder?

The 2018 Pathfinder has a complaint record that is spread across several parts of the car^[1]. Brakes lead the list^[2], and owners link that group to the front radar and collision warning dropping out. Electrical and engine complaints follow^[7]^[8]. These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as a guide for what to check. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records and check the recall section on this page.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?: Brakes have the most complaints, followed by reports that do not fit one group and then electrical issues^[2]^[6]^[7]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?: Yes, the by-year data lists recalls for 2018^[3]. Open the recalls section on this page to see each one.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder get?: The fuel economy section on this page shows the EPA figures for this model year.
Is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?: Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Those are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read the problems section and the safety section together.
Is 2018 a good year for the Nissan Pathfinder?: The year comparison section on this page puts 2018 next to the other years, so you can judge for yourself^[3].

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 107 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 186 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 this page
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 2018

2018 Nissan Armada 75 complaints, 1 recall
2018 Nissan Maxima 36 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Murano 113 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Rogue 669 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Nissan Sentra 185 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Titan 90 complaints, 4 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2018: small suvs

2018 Ford Escape 1,820 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 GMC Terrain 225 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 Honda CR-V 2,160 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 Hyundai Tucson 399 complaints, 1 recall
2018 Jeep Compass 946 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 Land Rover Range Rover 133 complaints, 8 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 78 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). 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
18 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,000). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,622). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V807, filed November 8, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V654, filed September 12, 2019: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V601, filed September 7, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip. 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, 2018 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 284 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.

2018 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and fuel economy