CarBrief

NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder[1]. The biggest group is unknown or other parts, followed by the electrical system and the brakes[2][3][4].

107owner complaints[1]
1recalls[5]
21–23MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA reports, biggest first.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2023 Pathfinder is necessarily included.

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 4WD Rock Creek, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive[14] 20 / 23 / 21 $3,900
Pathfinder 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[6] 20 / 27 / 23 $2,900
Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[15] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
Pathfinder 4WD SL/Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[16] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,050

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SUV AWD[7] 5 4 5 4 15.5%
SUV FWD[17] n/a 4 5 n/a n/a

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2023 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder[18] 284 to 295 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
PATHFINDER S/SV 4DR SUV[19] 197 in 78 in 71 in 114 in 4,478 lb
PATHFINDER SL/PLATINUM 4DR SUV[20] 197 in 78 in 71 in 114 in 4,594 lb

How 2023 compares with other years

1995: 170 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 159 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 217 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 149 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 104 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 112 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 230 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 156 complaints, 5 recalls2003: 110 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 67 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 1,050 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 837 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 561 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 328 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 37 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 40 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 45 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 890 complaints, 11 recalls20132014: 585 complaints, 12 recalls2015: 321 complaints, 6 recalls2016: 107 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 186 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 78 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 76 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 48 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 136 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 107 complaints, 1 recalls10720232024: 86 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 55 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 12 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pathfinder model year. The 2023 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951700
19961593
19972172
19981492
19991042
20001122
20012303
20021565
20031103
2004673
20051,0502
20068373
20075611
20083284
2009373
2010404
2011452
2012232
201389011
201458512
20153216
20161072
20171862
2018783
2019762
2020480
20221365
20231071
2024862
2025551
2026120

NHTSA's counts for the Pathfinder show 107 complaints and 1 recalls for 2023[5]. Among the 31 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2023 and 17 have more[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (12) and the most are for 2005 (1,050)[5]. 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 2023 Pathfinder?

The 2023 Pathfinder has a fair number of owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. The reports spread across several parts, with electrical and brake issues near the top[3][4]. A single complaint can name more than one component, and the reports are unverified. The counts are also not adjusted for how many were sold. A recall is on record for this year, so check the recalls section above before you decide[5].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners filed 107 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Electrical system and brakes are among the largest named groups[3][4]. See the problems section for details.
Has the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder been recalled?
The by-year data shows a recall on record for 2023[5]. The recalls section on this page lists it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder get?
See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Owners filed 107 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read the problems and verdict sections together.
What is the best year for the Nissan Pathfinder?
See the by-year comparison section on this page. This page covers 2023 only[5].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Compare all model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Other Nissan models from 2023

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2023: small suvs

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 107 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 30 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 24 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 22 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Pathfinder model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Pathfinder 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 21 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 16 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 23V268, filed April 13, 2023: Seats › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD SL/Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 284 to 295 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER S/SV 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 78 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,478 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER SL/PLATINUM 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 78 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,594 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.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.