Nissan Pathfinder problems
183 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.
- Powertrain: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–65,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
Cooling fan went out at 37k miles. Dealer quoted over $1000.00 to fix stating it isnt a warranty item.
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 183 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?
On the NHTSA data, the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–65,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 55 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 48,342 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 48,342 miles. 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 183 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.