Model year record
2020 Nissan Pathfinder recalls & problems
The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 48 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine (17 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2020 Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 17.9% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: No
2020 Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 17.4% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: No
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Pathfinder 2WD
| City / highway | 20 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Pathfinder 4WD
| City / highway | 20 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum
| City / highway | 19 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | — |
| Electrical system | 11 | — |
| Unknown or other | 8 | — |
| Power train | 8 | — |
| Service brakes | 6 | — |
| Back over preventionWarnings; Camera system | 5 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Warnings | 4 | — |
| Suspension | 3 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| StructureBody | 2 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine
Just bought this used car this summer and worked for about 2 months then had to repair a Failing Radiator/Condenser Cooling Fan Assembly. Seems like the same class action issue from the previous versions. Hoping this can be another recall. It seems like the same defective part that was used.
- Electrical system
The car stalled three times and died in active traffic. The breakdown was so hazardous that the police department had to intervene and push the car out of the road and had to tow the car more than 3 times and was at the Nissan Dealership for over one week. I paid Nissan dealership $5,000 to repair this specific, life-threatening defect, but the car returned to me unfixed.The vehicle is unsafe and has been sitting parked at my house for 3 months because I cannot safely drive it. It keeps stalling, dying in traffic and making a loud grind noise. I need help.
- Engine
After only 110,000 miles, my local Nissan service center (Advantage Nissan, 5101 Auto Center Blvd, Bremerton, WA 98312) states that the timing chain is loose. The repair estimate is in excess of $6000. The expense is because it requires removal of the engine to effect repairs. Research reveals that timing chain issues at 100000+ miles are common for this vehicle. It is the expectation that the timing chain system last the lifespan of the vehicle. The result is that owners pay more than half of the original price simply for maintenance because of Nissan's choice to use substandard parts in a critical system, a fact they learned with earlier models where timing chain issues and recalls…
- Power train
A few months after purchase, the power cut off on me. Then it happened again the following year. Then the screen for backing up started going on and off. Then I started feeling like the car was loosing power. In the last 2 years the power cutting off has occurred 3 more times and the rear screen camera has started glitching more where it goes out when switching in reverse.
- Engine
The vehicle has developed a persistent and progressively worsening rattling noise from the engine during cold starts, along with intermittent rough operation. The symptoms are consistent with a malfunction or defect in the engine timing chain system, including possible timing chain stretch, timing chain tensioner failure, or related internal engine components. This condition presents a serious safety concern because the timing chain controls engine valve timing. A failure or severe degradation of this system could result in sudden engine stalling or complete engine failure while driving, increasing the risk of a crash without warning, particularly in traffic or at highway speeds. The issue…
- Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
The back-up camera and display settings image is no longer visible and the dashboard indicates that it is off. The camera is black and does not display anything nor does it provides information that you are backing up. The safety of drivers and others are at risk. As such, the vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Tires
See attached document for complaint.
- Air bags
Airbag needs replacing at 60,000 mile due to TSB# NTB19-07-1D
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.