CarBrief

NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder[1]. Two of them mention a crash[1].

12owner complaints[1]
21–23MPG combined (EPA)[2]
5★NHTSA overall rating[3]

Most reported problems

Here is how the complaints on file group up, biggest first.

Recalls

NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2026 Pathfinder[12].

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 (S9), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[2] 21 / 27 / 23 $2,900
Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[13] 21 / 26 / 23 $2,900
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive[14] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,050
Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive[15] 20 / 23 / 21 $3,900

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SUV AWD[3] 5 4 5 4 15.5%
SUV FWD[16] 5 4 5 4 16.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2026 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder[17] 284 to 295 hp

How 2026 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 recalls20232024: 86 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 55 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 12 complaints, 0 recalls122026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pathfinder model year. The 2026 is highlighted[12].
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 12 complaints and 0 recalls for 2026[12]. Among the 31 model years listed, 0 have fewer complaints than 2026 and 30 have more[12]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (12) and the most are for 2005 (1,050)[12]. 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 2026 Pathfinder?

The 2026 Pathfinder has 12 complaints on file and 0 recalls in our data[12]. The complaints are spread across several parts, and no group stands far above the rest[4][5][6][7][8]. The reports that mention a crash sit in the forward collision avoidance group[8]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts[1]. Counts for a new model year can still change as more owners file.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on file[1]. The groups are listed in the problems section above, with electrical, visibility, steering and forward collision avoidance each at 2 complaints[5][6][7][8].
Does the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Our data shows 0 recalls for this model year[12]. Check the recalls section of this page for the current list.
What is the gas mileage of the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder?
See the fuel economy section of this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Complaint counts alone cannot settle that. This year has 12 complaints on file and they are not tied to sales[1][12]. See the by-year section for how other years compare.
What is the best year for the Nissan Pathfinder?
See the by-year comparison on this page. It lists complaints and recalls for each model year[12].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Compare all model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Other Nissan models from 2026

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2026: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. EPA rating for Pathfinder 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  3. 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
  4. 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 2 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 2 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 2 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 1 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 1 complaints name the lane departure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Pathfinder model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  13. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD 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
  15. 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
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2026 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 284 to 295 hp depending on version. 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.