The most-reported Pathfinder run is 5N1AR2MM8DC (2013 builds) with 69 complaints, 11.9× the typical run. Power train problems make up 34% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 23 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 55 recall campaigns for Pathfinder model years 1987–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan Pathfinder has 1,105 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Pathfinder complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5N1AR2MM8DC•••••• | 2013 | 2 | — | |
| 5N1AR18W45C•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 5N1AR18W95C•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5N1AR18W35C•••••• | 2005 | 2 | — | |
| 5N1AR18W65C•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5N1AR18W15C•••••• | 2005 | — | 1 | |
| 5N1AR18W55C•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 5N1AR2MM3DC•••••• | 2013 | — | — | |
| 5N1AR18W85C•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5N1AR18WX5C•••••• | 2005 | — | 1 | |
| 5N1AR18W25C•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 5N1AR2MM7DC•••••• | 2013 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 1,093 Pathfinder runs has 45 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 263 Pathfinder VINs so far, most often 2025, 2026, 2024 builds; 4 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Nissan Pathfinder the gap between build years is 16.4×: a 2013 car draws 23 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 2025 | 54 | 41 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 85 | 59 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 103 | 57 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 134 | 73 | 3 | |
| 2020 | 52 | 36 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 75 | 21 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 74 | 21 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 177 | 25 | 6 | |
| 2016 | 97 | 22 | 10 | |
| 2015 | 303 | 24 | 9 | |
| 2014 | 529 | 46 | 18 | |
| 2013 | 781 | 34 | 15 | |
| 2012 | 20 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2011 | 41 | 19 | — | |
| 2010 | 38 | 21 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 37 | 19 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 300 | 42 | 7 | |
| 2007 | 478 | 36 | 11 | |
| 2006 | 715 | 41 | 10 |
Heaviest year here is 2013 at 23 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 34% of everything Nissan Pathfinder owners report: Power Train, 2,184 of 6,365 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 32 | 8 | |
| Engine | 6 | 3 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 | 8 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 | 5 | |
| Air Bags | 92 | 2 | |
| Fuel System | 6 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 9 | — | |
| Gasoline | 6 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 55 recall campaigns on the Nissan Pathfinder; the 6 below cover build years 1996 to 2010. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1996–2004 |
| 11V244000 | Steering:column | 1996–2004 |
| 06E049000 | Exterior Lighting | 1996–2004 |
| 10E019000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 2005–2010 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1999–2004 |
| 08V690000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2005–2009 |
The Pathfinder against its rivals
The Pathfinder draws 5.8 complaints per production run; the Jeep Cherokee 4.3. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder | 6,365 | 1,105 | 3.8% | |
| Jeep Cherokee | 13,154 | 3,089 | 4.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 6,365 reports on the Nissan Pathfinder, 3.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Nissan Pathfinder | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 6,365 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 239 (3.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 42 (0.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 228 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 10 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 34% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Nissan Pathfinder share of that is 6,365 complaints over 1,105 runs, 0.57% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan Pathfinder VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 6,365 NHTSA complaints from 1,105 Pathfinder runs and 55 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Pathfinder production run has the most complaints?
5N1AR2MM8DC, a 2013 build, with 69 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Pathfinder run has 5.8.
Which Pathfinder years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 23 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the Pathfinder get more complaints than the Jeep Cherokee?
Yes: 5.8 complaints per production run for the Pathfinder against 4.3 for the Jeep Cherokee.
How many Pathfinder complaints involve a crash?
3.8% of 6,365 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 42 involved a fire.
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