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Nissan Pathfinder — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Nissan Pathfinder model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
40
Years to Avoid
2015, 2014, 2013, 2006, 2005
Best Years
2026, 2025, 2024, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986
2026Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2025Best Year
46 complaints1 recalls6 TSBs
2024Best Year
76 complaints2 recalls27 TSBs
2023
133 complaints1 recalls82 TSBs
2022
177 complaints5 recalls139 TSBs
2020
66 complaints0 recalls94 TSBs
2019
116 complaints2 recalls141 TSBs
2018
119 complaints3 recalls181 TSBs
2017
252 complaints2 recalls223 TSBs
2016
125 complaints2 recalls1 invest.199 TSBs
2015Avoid
427 complaints5 recalls1 invest.236 TSBs
2014Avoid
735 complaints11 recalls3 invest.240 TSBs
2013Avoid
1,201 complaints11 recalls4 invest.264 TSBs
2012
35 complaints2 recalls103 TSBs
2011
59 complaints2 recalls101 TSBs
2010
61 complaints5 recalls1 invest.100 TSBs
2009
51 complaints4 recalls1 invest.84 TSBs
2008
458 complaints5 recalls1 invest.93 TSBs
2007
846 complaints2 recalls1 invest.76 TSBs
2006Avoid
1,224 complaints5 recalls1 invest.74 TSBs
2005Avoid
1,560 complaints4 recalls1 invest.87 TSBs
2004
86 complaints7 recalls4 invest.53 TSBs
2003
147 complaints7 recalls4 invest.59 TSBs
2002
206 complaints9 recalls2 invest.69 TSBs
2001
299 complaints7 recalls1 invest.90 TSBs
2000
166 complaints6 recalls1 invest.66 TSBs
1999
144 complaints5 recalls1 invest.90 TSBs
1998
194 complaints4 recalls1 invest.88 TSBs
1997
293 complaints4 recalls1 invest.94 TSBs
1996
214 complaints5 recalls1 invest.87 TSBs
1995
218 complaints0 recalls38 TSBs
1994
108 complaints2 recalls1 invest.33 TSBs
1993Best Year
67 complaints0 recalls31 TSBs
1992Best Year
38 complaints0 recalls29 TSBs
1991Best Year
49 complaints1 recalls1 invest.30 TSBs
1990Best Year
44 complaints2 recalls1 invest.13 TSBs
1989Best Year
19 complaints2 recalls1 invest.12 TSBs
1988Best Year
17 complaints2 recalls1 invest.12 TSBs
1987Best Year
31 complaints2 recalls1 invest.12 TSBs
1986Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls5 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Nissan Pathfinder Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2015, 2014, 2013, 2006, 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Nissan Pathfinder, consider the 2026, 2025, 2024, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

40 model years analyzed