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ProblemsByVin Index / 2020-NISSAN-PATHFINDER / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2020 Nissan Pathfinder owner complaints

49 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle . Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 5 complaints shown

10 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/26/2020 7,000 mi ODI #11385020.0

When driving or idling you get a smell of antifreeze inside the drivers compartment. Dealer said the only way to fix was to get the heating and cooling system on recirculating and not fresh air. This is constant problem no matter the twhat the temp at urge isoutside.

12/16/2023 ODI #11560432.0

There's been a loss of power when accelerating, engine has made an odd noise during startup and occasionally a knocking noise when driven longer than a 10 mins. Dealership said there's metal in the oil pan. I saw an article today that said only nissan three and four cylinder vehicles have these issues but my pathfinder has the same problems.

12/03/2025 ODI #11702786.0

My 202 pathfinder started misfiring with sever knocking, Nissan said there is metal saving in my oil which is caused because of the long block engine failure and timing chain loosening. I had my oil changes done every 4K, and I also had the fluids flushed twice in 5 years because of excessive build up. How does this happen.

11/13/2023 ODI #11554788.0

Engine misfiring on left side due to faulty timing chains. Car would not start at times, and engine light flashing. Safety was at risk due to engine being unreliable, misfiring, and we were advised it could possibly stall/cut-out while driving. Problem confirmed by independent service center. Dealer service center would not diagnose without taking engine apart at our expense, they recommended replacing the whole engine, and the car is only 3 years own. There is a know issue with the timing chains on this model of vehicle, yet they did nothing to resolve the problem.

08/17/2022 ODI #11479873.0

Engine failure while driving. Abnormal engine oil consumption. Oil level dropped without warning and without any warning lights from the vehicle. The vehicle oil level as checked 1 day prior to failure.

electrical 4 complaints shown

9 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
11/19/2022 ODI #11494207.0

No defroster and no heat. Can't defrost or de-fog windows. Fan doesn't turn on failing to defrost windows. No heat, no air conditioning, no air movement. Powering off and on the pathfinder didn't solve it, turning on and off heat, defrost doesn't work. All fuses are OK.

10/04/2020 8,144 mi ODI #11362665.0

Periodically the back up camera shorts out and you are no longer able to use it.

09/12/2025 ODI #11686821.0

Electrical issues with my car including AC. Timing belt chain went and gasket covers. Continuous issue with this vehicle.

08/29/2022 ODI #11481785.0

Moisture ingression into the passenger side front lighting assembly (head light). Visable water droplets and some accumulartion . 1st indication was an errror message along with reduced visibility. 2nd indication was failue of that headlight.

other 4 complaints shown

11/13/2022 ODI #11493381.0

I was driving at highway speed and heard a loud bang. Sounded like an explosion. I quickly moved to the slow lane and noticed my sunroof had exploded outward with pieces of glass on me when it shattered.

09/27/2023 ODI #11546827.0

I have a Sun roof with panoramic roof. Driving on highway, with no warning sunroof exploded and shattered. No debris came through the roof just sunroof exploded and glass cut my foot and my husbands hand who was driving. Glass in hair and clothes. No issues before incident. Purchased special edition vehicle brand new in 2020. Next edition released 2023 and 2024 and it is not equipped or offered with either sun roof or panoramic roof. I reached out to manufacturer and was advised to go through insurance and that there was nothing that they could do as per the headquarters in Tennessee. Pictures have been sent to Insuramce adjuster.

08/13/2024 ODI #11608269.0

Car does not display the correct amount of fuel remaining once it hits half a tank left. Can read quarter of a tank remaining, and the distance to empty meter shows 40 miles. Or it will show 97 miles to empty and car will be on empty on fuel gauge. Then once I arrive at my destination, they flip. Driving 3 miles reports driving over 10-15 miles from distance to empty, the gauge starts moving. Never an accurate reading.

08/08/2023 ODI #11537271.0

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while parked in the driveway, the key fob was left in the cupholder, and the contact went to unlock the vehicle, and all the doors were inadvertently locked. The Police were called to assist in unlocking the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the battery and the key fob were replaced. After the battery and key fob were replaced, the failure reoccurred again with the key fob in the purse of the contact’s wife on the passenger’s seat. The contact stated that his daughter was inside the vehicle at the time and was able to unlock the door from inside the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife pushed the button to unlock the doors and all the doors locked. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed

brakes 3 complaints shown

7 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
10/24/2024 ODI #11621825.0

My 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SL has once again developed problems with the Emergency forward Brake System. The ABS AEB was replaced in January 2024 at Southwest Nissan in Weatherford Tx . Today, [XXX] the AEB light came back on. This is also the second time I have had to replace the Brake light located under the brake pedal. This is the second time I am reporting this problem to NHTSA. Research on several car repair sites shows this is a common problem with the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder, but NHTSA has failed to issue a recall. The original cost for repair at the dealership was over $4000. Please review and confirm problems with this model and year. This is an ongoing safety issue. Southwest Nissan Weatherford, Tx was where my car was repaired in January 2024. They will be able to provide all

09/28/2020 ODI #11361565.0

While driving on august 30 approximately 7:45on my vehicle's brakes applied by itself without me applying the brakes.at the time I was only you 20 MPH.I notified Nissan,and I'm still waiting for them to get back to me about this safety issue.the vehicle is only 6 weeks old.my vehicle is a 2020 Nissan pathfinder.I need help.thanks.I was driving on a local street.

07/27/2022 ODI #11476228.0

When braking anywhere from 50 mph to 25mph rpms increase whe braking, engine and transmission still pushing vehicle until torque converter disengages at 20mph. If you need to slow down quickly it requires extra braking force until the car reaches 20mph.. if you put the car in neutral it will slow down much faster because transmission and engine aren't still pushing the truck. This hot much worse after Nissan changed the transmission program a few months ago.

suspension 2 complaints shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $900 · see suspension cluster analysis →
10/19/2024 ODI #11620731.0

I have a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder SL with under 70k miles. I had an awful squeal start, upon stopping. I had a private shop say I needed brakes, pads and rotors. And this began the issue. This was in 22-23. It is currently Oct 24, and I have had 3 sets of brakes pads and rotors. When this began the dealership told me my brakes were wearing and near needing replacement. So I had been alerted by them initially. There are zero warning lamps. Vehicle is available for inspection anytime.

09/01/2024 ODI #11612004.0

I've replaced both CV axles, all brakes, and had service completed with the wheel hubs. Still get a grinding noise located at the front wheels.

visibility 1 complaint shown

12/21/2022 ODI #11498479.0

Defroster does not work properly. Will allow my vehicle to warm up for 15 to 20 minutes to allow proper heating as this has been an on going issue. While driving in colder temperatures the front windshield will freeze over a on the inside of the vehicle only effecting the drivers side. There will be a distinct line up the middle of the windshield where the drivers side is frosted over and the passenger side is clear. We have taken to a local Nissan dealer where they state everything works as it should and that even the owners brand new Nissan pick up also does this. This is a major safety concern!!! We are forced to continue to drive as once you pull over you will loose all heat causing the entire windshield to freeze over. This has been happening since we purchased the vehicle Dec 2021

Showing 300 of 49 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Nissan/Pathfinder#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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