Which year to buy
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual Extended coverage
37 serious complaints of 45, the most about air bags (12) and engine (10); per car on the road, 0.5× this model's usual year. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Sep 2023
“I just bought a used nissan pathfinder 2011 with 15000 miles a week ago. It has had problem with acceleration. I took it to a nissan dealer and was told that the transmission and radiator were both failed. This is very dangerous on highway if this pathfinder's engine failed and stopped working.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, May 2013
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. (Revision, Nov 2018)
- Repair program Failure to do so can result in civil penalties by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. (NTB23-081C, Jul 2024)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
45 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 15–17 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Every Pathfinder year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl; 5.6L 8-cyl · Drive: 4WD, RWD
2011 Pathfinder trims
| Pathfinder |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Nissan reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Nissan aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | — | — | Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 10 | Unknown or other (2) | — |
| 2025 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 51 | Unknown or other (15) | Yes |
| 2024 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 82 | Service brakes (23) | Yes |
| 2023 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 104 | Unknown or other (28) | Yes |
| 2022 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 22–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 135 | Service brakes (32) | Yes |
| 2020 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 0 | 53 | Engine (17) | No |
| 2019 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 76 | Unknown or other (20) | No |
| 2018 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 77 | Service brakes (19) | No |
| 2017 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 186 | Engine (83) | No |
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 107 | Engine (27) | No |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cyl supercharged hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 320 | Unknown or other (79) | No |
| 2014 | 2.5L 4-cyl supercharged hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 12 | 583 | Power train (217) | No |
| 2013 | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 21–22 mpg | 4 of 5 | 11 | 890 | Power train (370) | No |
| 2012 | 4.0L 6-cyl 5.6L 8-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 15–17 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 23 | Suspension (5) | No |
| 2011 | 4.0L 6-cyl 5.6L 8-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 15–17 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 45 | Air bags (12) | No |
| 2010 | 4.0L 6-cyl 5.6L 8-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 14–18 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 40 | Air bags (11) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Pathfinder 2022–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV ICE FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 10 |
| 2026 | NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV N/A FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 51 |
| 2025 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 51 |
| 2024 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 82 |
| 2024 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 82 |
| 2023 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 104 |
| 2023 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 104 |
| 2022 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 5 | 135 |
| 2022 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 5 | 135 |
| 2020 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 0 | 53 |
| 2020 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | No | 0 | 53 |
| 2019 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 2 | 76 |
| 2019 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | No | 2 | 76 |
| 2018 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | No | 3 | 77 |
| 2018 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | No | 3 | 77 |
| 2017 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 186 |
| 2017 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 2 | 186 |
| 2016 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 107 |
| 2016 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 107 |
| 2015 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | No | No | 6 | 320 |
| 2015 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | No | No | 6 | 320 |
| 2014 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 5 | No | No | 11 | 573 |
| 2014 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 5 | No | No | 11 | 573 |
| 2014 | Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid SUV AWD | 5 | No | No | 12 | 562 |
| 2014 | Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid SUV FWD | 5 | No | No | 12 | 562 |
| 2013 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 11 | 890 |
| 2013 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 11 | 890 |
| 2012 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 23 |
| 2012 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 23 |
| 2011 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 45 |
| 2011 | Nissan Pathfinder SUV RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 45 |
| 2010 | Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 40 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2026 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2026 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2026 | Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2025 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2025 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2025 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2025 | Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2024 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2024 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2024 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2024 | Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2023 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2023 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2023 | Pathfinder 4WD Rock Creek | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2023 | Pathfinder 4WD SL/Platinum | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2022 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2022 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2022 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2020 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2020 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2020 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2019 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2019 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2019 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2018 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2018 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2018 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2017 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2017 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2017 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2016 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2016 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2016 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2015 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2015 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2015 | Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2015 | Pathfinder Hybrid 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Sup Charg | 26 |
| 2015 | Pathfinder Hybrid 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Sup Charg | 26 |
| 2014 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2014 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2014 | Pathfinder Hybrid 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Sup Charg | 26 |
| 2014 | Pathfinder Hybrid 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Sup Charg | 26 |
| 2013 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2013 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2012 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 17 |
| 2012 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L |
15–16 |
| 2011 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 17 |
| 2011 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L |
15–16 |
| 2010 | Pathfinder 2WD | Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 17 |
| 2010 | Pathfinder 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L |
14–16 |
| 2010 | Pathfinder FE 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 18 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.