Nissan Pathfinder Complaints (2025)

57 consumer complaints on file.

#11773842October 26, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
I own a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder with approximately 12,800 miles. During inspection on 10/26/2026 at Nissan Riverside, the dealer found the rear brake pads had gone metal to metal — no brake pad material left — which caused damage to the rear rotors, requiring replacement of both pads and rotors. No dashboard warning light came but a grinding noise. The front brakes were still in good condition. The vehicle has not been used for towing or aggressive driving. Rear pads wearing completely through at 12,800 miles, while the front brakes remain serviceable, is not normal wear and indicates a defect in the rear brake system. This condition reduces braking effectiveness and increases stopping distance, a safety concern. I request NHTSA investigate premature rear brake wear on the 2025 Nissan Pathfinders.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773330October 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE
The vehicle was in shop in March and April loosing power while driving. Had been good til a few weeks ago slowly started doing it again with codes and warning on dash could t duplicate I have pictures of dash . Picked up vehicle on Oct 21 returned on Oct 22 and they duplicated the car has now stalled when crossing lanes of traffic pulling out . I have asked for buy back but Nissan has said no .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772304October 20, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On july 18 2026, I was stand still on South bound Tampa ave and Norfhoff, city of northridge CA .When suddenly car it accelerated from "AUTO HOLD" I push my service brake but dont response, and unfortunately rear end then car front on me, after the collision the car going in reverse in accelerated way finally stop and the car, and remained accelerated for couple minutes. My safety was in risk, and for family and other drivers, will be bad accident i I was in crosswalk, trust in AUTO HOLD SYSTEM. NISSAN CORPORATION send a inspector to the dealer but they confirm is not evidence of a product problem, failure, or malfuction. prior the accident other lights was ON and dealer fixed for example when car is closed to hit something and stop, show 2 times and fixed .
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11770989October 13, 2026
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I purchased the car in June 2025 and the sunroof exploded while I was driving down the highway in Dec. 2025. The explosion scared me, the driver. Shattered glass covered me, my front passenger, and my adult son in the back seat. He was bleeding on his hand with a minor cut. My sunroof was replaced in January 2025 after 14 days in the shop. It was leaking again in March so my roof was ripped apart again with 10 days in the shop. It leaked again in June 2025. There was not warning. It just exploded with a huge noise. I know this has happended to Pathfinders.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770430October 11, 2026
SUSPENSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Since purchasing this new Nissan in October 2025, the vehicle feels very unstable with random movement side to side on the interstate. My side impact warnings go off very frequently when traveling in my sales territory due to this. On grooved pavement, it is much worse and you feel like you the vehicle is going to go off the road. I had 2 different ride alongs with D Patrick Nissan in November and December 2025 that was undocumented but they state it is in their system. Both times they said they could not duplicate. I since have had 3 that are documented with the attached forms on this complaint. All 3 times again, they state they cannot duplicate and state I need new tires after only 28,000 miles total on the new vehicle. If you go to Facebook, there is a Nissan Pathfinder Complaints page where multiple people are noting the same occurrence, the fear and safety issues, and all the dealers are doing the same thing and stating they could not duplicate. I feel like Nissan knows there is a problem and are directing the dealers how to address it with the customer based on all of the complaints on the Facebook page. I sincerely hope that you will look into this with that page because it is truly a valid issue with Pathfinder consumers and we are getting nowhere with these issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770150October 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
My 2025 Nissan Pathfinder has experienced recurring transmission problems, including unexpectedly switching from Automatic Drive into Manual 1st Gear without driver input. During some incidents, the vehicle failed to accelerate as expected while entering traffic, creating a collision risk. XXX: While driving on XXX in [XXX], the transmission hesitated during acceleration at approximately 20 mph. Engine RPM exceeded 3,000 before shifting, with rough or delayed shifting. XXX: While stopped at a traffic light near [XXX], the vehicle unexpectedly shut off. The instrument cluster went blank except for a flashing Neutral indicator. I could not engage Drive until restarting the vehicle. XXX: While driving approximately 10–20 mph in [XXX], the vehicle unexpectedly switched from Automatic into Manual 1st Gear without driver input. I stopped and restored Automatic mode. XXX: While exiting a parking lot and merging into traffic in [XXX], the vehicle unexpectedly switched into Manual 1st Gear. It did not accelerate as expected, creating a near-collision situation. XXX While exiting a gas station driveway onto a main road, the vehicle again unexpectedly entered Manual 1st Gear. I noticed the change only after attempting to accelerate and experiencing inadequate acceleration. Nissan inspected the vehicle at Bellevue Nissan and Younker Nissan in [XXX]. On XXX, Younker could not reproduce the problem, found no stored trouble codes, and documented no repair. On XXX, I brought the vehicle to Lithia Nissan of [XXX], for a third inspection at 11,215 miles. Results are pending. The cause remains unknown. I am concerned about unexpected transmission mode changes, inadequate acceleration, and vehicle shutdown creating a serious collision risk. I request NHTSA review this potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765592September 20, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
At approximately 10,444 miles, while driving under normal operating conditions, the vehicle began emitting an unexpected, severe friction sound while braking, which rapidly escalated to a harsh metal-on-metal grinding noise. A physical safety inspection by an authorized dealer service center revealed that the rear brake pads had completely failed, wearing entirely down to the bare metal backing plates. This catastrophic wear occurred at an unacceptably low mileage, bypassing standard wear indicator warnings, and caused deep, structural scoring to the rear rotors. Both the rear pads and rear rotors required immediate replacement to restore safe vehicle braking operation. The front brake assemblies remain fully functional with ample friction material remaining, indicating that this is not standard driver wear. This sudden failure at a fraction of the component's normal operational lifespan points to a severe systemic defect within the rear axle braking system, mechanical binding, or electronic parking brake (EPB) calibration error unique to this platform. The premature degradation poses an immediate safety risk, as metal-on-metal friction severely increases stopping distances and elevates the risk of a rear axle braking lockup or collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765415September 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Nissan Pathfinder has a recurring water intrusion problem through the sunroof area whenever it rains. The problem first occurred in June and has happened again this month during the rainy season. Water enters the vehicle cabin during rainfall, creating a significant concern about the safety and reliability of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a Nissan dealer, and I was informed that the sunroof drain tubes need to be replaced. The dealer also informed me that the required drain tubes are currently on nationwide backorder and are not available. As a result, the vehicle has not been permanently repaired and continues to leak whenever it rains. The problem has been reproduced during actual rainfall, and I have video recordings documenting multiple incidents of water entering the vehicle. The videos and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. This vehicle is our only vehicle and is regularly used to transport two toddlers. Repeated water intrusion into the passenger compartment raises concerns about safe operation and the possibility of additional damage to the vehicle, including electrical components, wiring, carpeting, interior components, and other systems. There were no known warning lights or warning messages associated with the water intrusion. The primary symptom is water entering the cabin through the sunroof/drain area during rainfall. The Nissan dealer has confirmed the suspected cause as the sunroof drain tubes and advised that replacement parts are currently unavailable due to the nationwide backorder. I am reporting this issue because the water intrusion is recurring, the vehicle remains unrepaired because of the parts shortage, and the problem occurs whenever it rains. I am concerned about continued exposure to water and the potential safety consequences if the condition worsens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759683August 26, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
The hydraulic braking system failed, causing a complete loss of brake pedal resistance and a severe brake fluid leak. The vehicle is currently located at an authorized Nissan dealership and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle suffered a sudden braking failure while traveling at highway speeds with my family inside. The brake pedal lost all resistance, requiring me to slam the pedal completely to the floor just to slow the vehicle down from 30 mph to 10 mph. The vehicle would not come to a complete stop normally, forcing me to rely on the forward collision sensor triggering and extreme floor-pression to avoid a collision, putting my family and other drivers at risk of injury. The problem has been confirmed by the physical evidence of the failure, as the vehicle left a large puddle of brake fluid in my driveway and leaked a significant, continuous trail of fluid while being loaded onto the tow truck following day. The vehicle was towed directly to an authorized Nissan dealership this morning for official diagnosis and confirmation. No, the component has not yet been inspected by third parties. It was just towed to the Nissan dealership this morning and is currently awaiting their official inspection and technical report. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the incident. The failure happened suddenly yesterday evening while driving on the highway. While safely parking the vehicle the first set of warning message came up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757594August 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Back glass blew out Shattered on its own
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756032August 10, 2026
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear glass fractured. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that there was no impact to the glass to cause the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicles. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755598August 8, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Component/system failure. Engine shut off while driving @ 70 mph. The car first shifted into neutral all on its own, system shows AT MALFUNCTION. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealership so it is available for inspection. Safety concern is that the vehicle died in 2nd left hand side of road my had my husband not been able to essentially coast and cross 2 lanes of traffic to get to shoulder the vehicle could have potential been sitting in the 2nd left hand lane where traffic was going 70 plus mph. The dealership has not been able to reproduce issue other than seeing the AT Malfunction code, the vehicle is not starting as it did on side of highway. No other inspections have been done to my knowledge. No messages or warnings appeared prior to the vehicle switching into neutral and turn off engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754931August 5, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My door lock buttons do not work and I took the vehicle in to the dealer and I was 3000 miles over my warranty , they did not want to cover the cost of the repair it is dangerous because what if I have children in the back and I can’t open the door from the front door, I can open them with the key remote or I need to get off the vehicle and push the button on my door from the outside ! If there is an accident it could be a life or death issue !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754465August 3, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I just bought a nissan pathfinder in novemeber 2025.the mileage is around 13100 miles.while driving on the highway a part of my exterior trim panel on the right rear passeger side door just ripped off and flew away. I was lucky i did not meet any accident. I conatcted the Nissan company and that i don’t feel safe driving in this vehicle so i want them to replace it but they would not do that. This is a safety-critical defect that could cause a crash if it happens again or if a detached part hits another vehicle. A part falling off at highway speeds poses a clear risk off collision, injury or property damage to my vehicle and others. I am concerned this is a manufacturing defect that could recur. Now i am scared every time i drive this vehicle thinking something might fall off again and i will meet with an accident. I don’t feel safe in the vehicle anymore since I’m usually travelling with my family.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750861July 16, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Front Passenger Seat Belt Buckle We have concerns regarding the front passenger seat belt buckle. My wife and another family member have both experienced issues where the buckle will sometimes not latch securely, and at other times it is difficult to release. On one occasion, the buckle would not release until I repeatedly pressed the release button so my wife could exit the vehicle. This most recently occurred on July 9, 2026.This is a safety concern and after review booklet this should be cover under nissan warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745429June 21, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I bought my 2025 Pathfinder in November 2025. In early December, the automatic emergency braking symbol started flashing; I took it to the Nissan dealership in Downey, and they told me that unless there was a permanent error code, they couldn't do anything. After reading comments and forum posts, I saw that this was a common issue caused by sunlight and such, so I didn't worry too much about it, but it kept happening. Then, on June 19, 2026, while leaving a parking lot in Monterey Park, CA—just as I was pulling out of my parking space—I heard a very loud pop. It really scared me; I was with my wife and two children. The rear windshield was completely shattered—it had exploded out of nowhere. When I checked online, I realized that many vehicles of this brand—Pathfinders and Rogues—had reported this same incident: exploding spontaneously. Fortunately, my two children were in the second row, but a shard still fell onto my younger son's hand and cut him; he was terrified and crying. I got out of the car, and there was absolutely nothing there—the area was clear. I have photos of the scene and of my son's small cut. Today, June 20, 2026, I took my Pathfinder back to Nissan Downey, but got nowhere; they refuse to take responsibility and don't believe it's a factory defect. They wouldn't help me at all, even though it's a 2025 vehicle with only 6,500 miles on it. They offered to inspect the vehicle but refused to specify that the inspection would be covered under the factory warranty. So, I decided to take my vehicle back without getting a favorable response from Nissan!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11743646June 12, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Both sluggish to begin acceleration and car acceleration on its own after a passing throttle up. It was as if the throttle stuck open for more than 5 seconds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743608June 11, 2026
SEAT BELTS
Unknown Subject: Safety Concern Regarding Rock Creek Model Seatbelt Design I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern regarding the seatbelt design used in the Nissan Rock Creek model. Specifically, the seatbelt in this vehicle includes a plastic insert that is stitched directly into the belt. This configuration appears unusual when compared to standard seatbelt construction and, in my view, raises significant questions about its safety and performance in the event of a collision. My primary concern is whether this particular seatbelt design, including the stitched-in plastic insert, has undergone full crash-testing and safety validation. Seatbelts are critical life-saving devices, and any nonstandard configuration can introduce potential failure points. Before continuing to use this vehicle, I would like written confirmation that this design meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards, including FMVSS 209 and 210, and that it has been tested under conditions representative of a real-world crash scenario. I am deeply concerned that this feature may pose a hazard to vehicle occupants if it compromises the belt’s ability to lock, restrain, or distribute force correctly during an accident. For this reason, I respectfully request a prompt, detailed response. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your explanation and confirmation regarding the safety of this system.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743545June 11, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the seatbelts of the vehicle had excessive slack on the shoulder portion and could not be adjusted properly, resulting in inadequate upper body restraint. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection, but no defects were found, and no repairs were performed. The contact expressed concern that the loose seatbelts presented a safety hazard and might not provide adequate occupant restraint during a crash. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 10,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742261June 5, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
We have been documenting a oil leak on the timing chain cam shaft cover. When the motor heats up the engine seeps/leaks oil on the top of the side of engine. This has been documented for the past few months starting at 37,099 miles when we noticed it, date of first notice was on 4/29/2026. We have pic with time stamps and have taken it to dealership to inspect and have written many times of the issue. We have also filed a consumer affairs and BBB autoline complaints. This is an issue safety issue bc oil can start a car fire, it can also cause a motor to malfunction. This is a safety concern. The dealer says their is no leak at all but they wipe off oil and it returns that an issue. We bought this pathfinder in Oct of 2025 and put on now around 42k miles and it is still an active issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Nissan Pathfinder