Model year record
2026 Nissan Pathfinder recalls & problems
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 15 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (4 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2026 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
2026 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A AWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 15.5% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2026 NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A FWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
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 | 21 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S9) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Pathfinder 4WD
| City / highway | 21 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S9) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum
| City / highway | 20 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S9) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek
| City / highway | 20 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S9) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/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* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 4 | — |
| Unknown or other | 3 | — |
| Service brakes | 3 | — |
| Electrical system | 2 | — |
| VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Windshield | 2 | — |
| Steering | 2 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking | 2 | — |
| Back over prevention | 1 | — |
| Lane departureAssist | 1 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
| Seat belts | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Service brakes
What failed: The powertrain and transmission systems are malfunctioning. The vehicle exhibits severe gear-shifting hesitation, stutters when braking or reversing, and rolls backward slightly even when shifted entirely into Park. This component is available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The vehicle's failure to securely hold position in Park creates an immediate roll-away hazard, and the stuttering/hesitation during braking, reversing, and acceleration compromises safe vehicle control in traffic. Dealer/Manufacturer status: The vehicle has been taken to authorized Nissan service centers twice for these recurring transmission and mechanical issues. On the latest report, the…
- Service brakesCrash
Purpose of this complaint I am asking Nissan North America to review Nissan's part of what happened with my practically new 2026 Pathfinder. I am not asking Nissan to pay for the collision itself, and I am not asking Nissan to reimburse expenses that were the responsibility of my automobile insurer. My accident occurred [XXX]. State Farm provided rental coverage through [XXX]. My complaint concerns what happened after that coverage ended, including additional delay and expense while Nissan parts and Nissan-related technical or programming issues prevented completion and return of my vehicle. The dealership-versus-body-shop issue Nissan Consumer Affairs told me that rental assistance might…
- Vehicle speed control
When driving anywhere from 30-50 mph the vehicle goes into Neutral without any warning. I know this because when I accelerated the engine just revved. This has happened when I was driving and also happened when my husband was driving. This has happened approximately 8-10 times since owning the vehicle. If I had been crossing an intersection when this happened it could cause a crash. One time I did pull over on the side of the road to keep the car behind me from running into me since I lost the ability to accelerate.I have less than 5,000 miles on my vehicle. I have taken the vehicle 3 times and it is still there now to the Nissan dealership I bought it from. They cannot duplicate it and…
- Air bagsCrash1 injury
Side airbags did not deploy during a 45-35mph left turn collision to drivers fender, door, rear door and the auto brake engaged impeding the vehicle to clear the lane. Not positive but the body shop said the seat belt did not engage properly? Injuries sustained to driver was loss of consciousness from head impact breaking door window, whiplash and broken right tibial plateau fracture. Still suffering side effects from severe concussion and fracture
- Steering
My brand new Pathfinder platinum 2026 is very hard to drive on grooved concrete roads. It tramlines severely and the car sways dangerously back and forth needing constant steering adjustments. I believe it could be the Bridgestone Alenza tires on it but not 100% sure. It is very dangerous and the general manager at Nampa Idaho has told me is is aware of this problem too but there is nothing he can do. I had to exit the freeway when this happened because the car was jerking back and forth so bad. All steering assist was turned off so that is not the issue. This has happened 4 times now on grooved roads. Tires are correctly inflated to manufactures advised weight.
- Service brakesCrash
While pulling my 2026 Nissan Pathfinder into my residential driveway at low speed, I pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not slow or stop. There was no resistance on the brake and I continued to try to compress it, but it went all the way to the floor with no effective stopping response. No front sonar/parking-collision warning sounded as the vehicle approached the house and exterior HVAC unit, and no automatic emergency braking intervention occurred. I had to choose between continuing into the garage, striking a brick wall, or steering past the house. I steered past the house and struck the HVAC unit, damaging it and the left-front area of the vehicle. The sudden loss of effective…
- Power train
While driving the vehicle it has gone into neutral 3 times prior to 8,000 mile. The vehicle was bought new. Two of the three times I was pressing the gas pedal and holding it steady. Speed was ~ 40-45 MPH. RPMs increased from ~1500 to over 3000. I had to come to a complete stop to put the vehicle back in drive. The other instance happened as I was pressing the brake pedal. As I took my foot off of the brake pedal to press the gas pedal, the RPMs increased from ~1000 to over 2000. The transmission had gone back into neutral. I had to come to a complete stop in the intersection. I have been fortunate not to have someone behind me during these three instances. If I had an accident could have…
- Tires
I believe tires are causing the vehicle to wandering in lane your driving in, the tires are following grooved concrete on interstate highways cause the vehicle to wandering and you constantly adjust your lane position, this doesnât happen on asphalt roads just on grooved concrete highways.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.