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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-NISSAN-PATHFINDER
2016 · nissan

nissan Pathfinder problems

1 safety recall. 105 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
20 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
19 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
12 reports · avg $450
severe
electrical
10 reports · avg $850
moderate
powertrain
7 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
visibility
5 reports · avg $350
moderate
steering
3 reports · avg $700
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Pathfinder · steering
LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ALL RESEARCH SUGGEST NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUES AND SAYS IT IS NORMAL.
12/27/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11163623.0
2016 Pathfinder · engine
HEATER/AC COOLING FAN CRAPPED OUT AT 45K. BEARINGS/BUSHINGS CAUSING LOUD, CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN HEAT OR AC IS ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME ON MY 2013 PATHFINDER.
12/25/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11291191.0
2016 Pathfinder · airbags Crash
ON 21 DEC 2020 WE WERE IN A ACCIDENT WITH A DEER WE WEAR GOING ABOUT 80MPH WHEN THE DEAR CAME OUT OF NO WEAR AND WE HIT IT HEAD ON AND NEITHER ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED MY HUSBAND HIT HIS HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL AND NEITHER ONE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WAS SITTING IN PASSENGER…
12/23/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384700.0
2016 Pathfinder · electrical
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T WANT TO GO UP OR DOWN WHEN IT'S COLD, SOMETIMES STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER, HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON LINE CONCERNING MOTOR IN DOOR. HAPPENS WHEN STATIONER OR IN MOTION
12/18/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11162363.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 22V420000 13/06/2022

Nissan North America, Inc

An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 26, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are R22A2 R22A3 and R24B7.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 20 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Pathfinder has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 105 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 14 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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