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.
2016 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 20 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Our Nissan pathfinder 2016 was suddenly making loud noise which was coming from the front (engine area). The dealer diagnosed that replacement of fan shroud is necessary and that's expensive. We send car for regular maintenance, what else we can do!! The miles on my car is above 50000 and that's when I came across this problem. I have never had this kind of problem in any of my cars so far. This…
At 48,800 miles radiator fan failed. As was explained to me by service advisor at Nissan dealer, a mounting part failed and caused the fan to rub against the shroud when in operation. Many reports of failure on various websites for model years 2014 -2016, most occurring in the 50,000 mile range.
Radiator fan assembly failed and needed replacement as indicated by several pathfinder owners from 2014 up to the present.
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 36,500 and 60,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,500; a quarter make it past 60,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.