Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid
The Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, 2008, 2015, 2001, 1997, 2017, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2022, 1998, 2003, 2004 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1986 is the cleanest year on record.
10,300
Total complaints
55
Recall campaigns
1986–2026
Years covered
17
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Pathfinder years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 1,560 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 1,224 | |
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 1,209 | |
| 2007 | High complaint rate | 846 | |
| 2014 | High complaint rate | 750 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 458 | |
| 2015 | High complaint rate | 434 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 299 | |
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 293 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 255 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 218 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 214 | |
| 2002 | High complaints + open investigation | 206 | |
| 2022 | High complaint rate | 196 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 194 | |
| 2003 | Open safety investigation | 147 | |
| 2004 | Open safety investigation | 86 |
Every Pathfinder year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 83 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 123 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 157 | 1 | |
| 2022avoid | 196 | 5 | |
| 2020 | 72 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 122 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 124 | 3 | |
| 2017avoid | 255 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 130 | 2 | |
| 2015avoid | 434 | 5 | |
| 2014avoid | 750 | 11 | |
| 2013avoid | 1,209 | 11 | |
| 2012 | 35 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 59 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 61 | 5 | |
| 2009 | 51 | 4 | |
| 2008avoid | 458 | 5 | |
| 2007avoid | 846 | 2 | |
| 2006avoid | 1,224 | 5 | |
| 2005avoid | 1,560 | 4 | |
| 2004avoid | 86 | 7 | |
| 2003avoid | 147 | 7 | |
| 2002avoid | 206 | 9 | |
| 2001avoid | 299 | 7 | |
| 2000 | 166 | 6 | |
| 1999 | 144 | 5 | |
| 1998avoid | 194 | 4 | |
| 1997avoid | 293 | 4 | |
| 1996avoid | 214 | 5 | |
| 1995avoid | 218 | 0 | |
| 1994 | 108 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 67 | 0 | |
| 1992 | 38 | 0 | |
| 1991 | 49 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 44 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 19 | 2 | |
| 1988 | 17 | 2 | |
| 1987 | 31 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Nissan Pathfinder years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Pathfinder years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, 2008, 2015, 2001, 1997, 2017, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2022, 1998, 2003, 2004. The cleanest year on record is 1986.
What is the best year for the Nissan Pathfinder?
By complaint volume, 1986 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Pathfinder years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Nissan Pathfinder have?
Across all model years, the Pathfinder has 55 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 10,300 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.