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ProblemsByVinFile / 2017-NISSAN-PATHFINDERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Nissan
2017 Nissan Pathfinder problems
The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder has 186 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder has 186 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 56 complaints (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 Pathfinder?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Powertrain: 33 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2017 Nissan Pathfinder? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 56 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 33 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 20 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
steering — 8 owner reports
· ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2017 Pathfinder· engine
On thursday 12/26 my car started making a crazy sound. By 12/27 I was told by ntb that the cooling fan was in horrible condition. They had to replace it and that is the 3rd one that they had replaced. This is a 2017 Nissan pathfinder with 50,000 miles. Ntb was surprised by…
My cooling fan have known bad bushings and makes a horrible loud noise causing the vehicle I drive able due to damage to the engine of fan blades break off and cause overheating. My vehicle had 47000 miles and I had noticed the noise a couple of years ago. When it was…
Loud noise started when engine was turned on and on idle. Was told that it was the radiator blade hitting something. What or why this happened the local dealer has no clue or explanation other then "it just happens on some nissans" the cost to replace the radiator fan and…
Had a problem with your 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 186 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 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.
Should you avoid the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?
The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 33 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 56 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 186 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 56 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 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 186 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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