2016 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems

My 2024 Nissan Frontier has experienced repeated complete power loss more than three times. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly while on the street and cannot be restarted. During some incidents, even the emergency hazard lights did not work. I had to use jump cables to restart the vehicle. I first reported this issue to Nissan in January 2025. The dealer kept the truck for about one week but stated they could not find anything wrong. The problem continues, including incidents on 04/20/2026 and 04/23/2026. This creates a serious safety hazard because the vehicle can lose power in traffic and increase the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA ID

11733497

Incident

Apr 23, 2026

Around 160,000 miles my CVT transmission went out. I almost got into a wreck no warning lights just stopped on me. When I took it to my local dealership in waco, Texas they told me I'll be good to wait over the weekend that they first opening wasn't until Tuesday. I came by on a Thursday. The car was making noises I was concerned and it wasn't accelerating like normal. I slowly drove it to Nissan dealership in Temple tx 30 mins away. The tech there immediately drove it to see if it was apressing concern or not. He immediately stated it wasn't safe and they gave me a loaner. My vehicle was in the shop for three weeks I had to get a $14,000 loan to repair it because my extended warranty didn't cover specifically CVT transmissions because of Nissan history with the other vehicles with that transmission type. I contacted Nissan corporate they said they would give me a warranty but since the Pathfinder wasn't on their recall list they couldn't assist me in that manner. Since the CVT transmission repair I've had engine issues and now my catalytic converter isn't working properly. I've given Nissan money on repairs that normally doesn't happen until the vehicles is over 200,000 miles. I went to some Nissan Pathfinder forums and found out this is to be true that many Pathfinder owners are buying new transmissions or vehicles all together because of this defect in the Nissan CVT transmissions. I hope to get my money back since I'm a disabled Afghanistan Navy veteran on a limited income. If it's happening to me it's happening to others and should be investigated.

NHTSA ID

11702225

Incident

Oct 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the cooling fan became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cooling fan system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,400.

NHTSA ID

11634350

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

Mileage

29,400 mi

The engine in this vehicle has shut off two times while we were driving it. We were forced to make emergency exits off of the roadway in order to prevent injury to ourselves and others. This is a life-threatening situation when the vehicle loses engine power while it is being driven. Additionally, we have experienced multiple instances of the vehicle not starting after it had been parked. We have researched this on the internet and have found that other Nissan owners are experiencing this same issue. When the vehicle stops running while driving or when it will not start after being parked, we get these symptoms: everything lit up on the dash TPMS light, I-Key error, no speedometer, no tachometer the engine cooling fan is running vehicle will not start back up When you push the start button the dash lights come back on the cooling fan would kick on engine will not start

NHTSA ID

11578577

Incident

Mar 15, 2024

My front differential and transmission failed at the same time while I was driving on a major highway. I had to repair both components at a dealership costing me over $8000.

NHTSA ID

11487419

Incident

Aug 29, 2022

I purchased this as a new used 2016 Pathfinder in October 2021. Within about 2500 miles in December of 2021, the radiator cooling fan assembly was making noise and had to be replaced. It is now May of 2022, about 3000 miles later, and the same thing has to be replaced. There were no other messages or symptoms other than the noise the fan makes when the bearings are shot. It has not been inspected by anyone other than myself and my mechanic at the time the first fan assembly needed replacement. I am about to take the vehicle to a Nissan dealer to confirm what I already know. When it is replaced I will keep the old part for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11464029

Incident

Dec 13, 2021

My car hit 62,000 miles, it started having transmission issues. It shakes, makes large noises, the car tries to stall, having issues accelerating, and loss power. I am concerned that the car will turn off or broke down while driving

NHTSA ID

11424875

Incident

Jul 13, 2021

FAN BEARINGS IN THE TWIN FAN SHROUD HAVE FAILED AND ARE CREATING A LOUD NOISE AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LEAD TO ENGINE OVERHEATING AND POTENTIAL ENGINE TROUBLE. THE NHTSA AND NISSAN HAVE PUT OUT A TSB (NTB17-100) IN OCT 2017. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS PAST WARRANTY SEARCHING THE WEB IT APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN A VERY BIG PROBLEM FOR NISSAN PATHFINDERS. BECAUSE THE COMPLETE FAN SHROUD (2 FANS-RADIATOR AND COOLING FANS) ALONG WITH A COMPUTER MODULE ARE PART OF THE FINAL ASSEMBLY THE COST TO REPAIR IS SIGNIFICANT ($800). A FAN REPLACEMENT ALONE WOULD BE MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE BUT NISSAN ONLY PROVIDES A FULL ASSEMBLY VS COMPONENT FIX.

NHTSA ID

11398173

Incident

Feb 17, 2021

2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER, STARTED MAKING LOUD CLANKING NOISES AND VIBRATING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON (STAIONARY AND IN MOTION). THE COOLING FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH ONLY 33K ON THE ODO. REALLY SUPRISED THAT IS WAS SO EXPENSIVE AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY - 6 MONTHS OVER 3 YEARS.

NHTSA ID

11352231

Incident

Feb 3, 2020

Mileage

33,000 mi

THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN BEARINGS FAILED AT 62,000 MILES. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM STATED THAT IT IS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PART FAILURE. I REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE WITH AN AFTERMARKET ASSEMBLY THAT HAS A LIFETIME WARRANTY. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO REPLACE WITH ANOTHER NISSAN PART THAT WILL FAIL IN ANOTHER 50,000 +/- MILES. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WILL FADE WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH 62,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHECKED ALL BRAKE COMPONENTS AND COULD ONLY SURMISE IT MUST BE THE MASTER CYLINDER. THEY EVEN CONTACTED NISSAN FOR THEIR OPINION, WHICH THEY TOO SUGGESTED REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER TWO BRAND NEW MASTER CYLINDERS, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND WILL BE AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR MY VEHICLE. ALSO, THE REAR A/C LINES THAT TRAVEL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A HOLE AT ONE OF THE MOUNTING POINTS. LOST ALL FREON ON TWO OCCASIONS BY THE TIME THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE LEAKING AREA. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS TOO IS COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE STYLE AND IS A DESIGN FLAW. WITH FREON BEING BAD FOR THE EVIRONMENT, ONE WOULD WONDER HOW A MANUFACTURER WOULD BE ALLOWED TO LET THIS HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

11338365

Incident

Jun 26, 2020

Mileage

62,000 mi

ENTRY 02/23/2020: 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH ABOUT JUST 36,200 MILES HAVE ENGINE COOLING FAN PROBLEMS - LOUD CLACKING NOISE AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE GOES UP OVERHEATING THE ENGINE AND SHAKING/VIBRATING STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAPPENS BOTH WHEN DRIVING AND RUNNING ENGINE IN PARK. THE PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON.

NHTSA ID

11310859

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

Mileage

36,500 mi

2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER, STARTED MAKING LOUD CLANKING NOISES AND VIBRATING IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WENT ON. DID NOT MATTER IF THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. FIRST NOTICED AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THE TEMP NEEDLE WAS SLOWING CLIMBING. THE BEARING ON ONE OF THE COOLING FANS CRAPPED OUT WITH ONLY 49,000 MILES. WAS LUCKY TO HAVE CAUGHT IT BEFORE IT OVERHEATED OR BLEW THE MOTOR. AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR NOT COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11302149

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

49,000 mi

DON'T EVEN HAVE THE CAR A YEAR! LOUD NOISE UNDER HOOD LIKE FAN BANG. CONSTANT ISSUE ON OTHER PATHFINDERS AS WELL. HAD TO PAY $1100 FOR COOLANT FAN REPLACEMENT THAT WAS OVERHEATING ENGINE! SHOULD RECEIVE SOME TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT AS THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES! HAZARD AS CAR CAN CATCH ON FIRE FROM OVERHEATING!

NHTSA ID

11301626

Incident

Jan 19, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

ELECTRIC COOLING FAN BEARINGS BAD (85,000 MILES). RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF, HOWEVER HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL, EXTENDED WARRANTY, OR OTHER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE

NHTSA ID

11300898

Incident

Jan 10, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

THE DRIVERS SIDE COOLING FAN BEARING IS BAD AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FAN WHICH IS $1,000 WORTH OF WORK AND I ONLY HAVE 34,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. EVERY MECHANIC AND AUTO PARTS PERSON SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED THIS EARLY AND WITH THE MILEAGE I HAVE ON MY VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

11298361

Incident

Jan 8, 2020

Mileage

34,000 mi

HEATER/AC COOLING FAN CRAPPED OUT AT 45K. BEARINGS/BUSHINGS CAUSING LOUD, CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN HEAT OR AC IS ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME ON MY 2013 PATHFINDER.

NHTSA ID

11291191

Incident

Dec 19, 2019

Mileage

45,000 mi

COOLING FAN FAILURE. WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF COOLING FAN BEARINGS FAILING FROM 30-60 THOUSAND MILES. IT VIBRATES AND CAN DAMAGE THE RADIATOR CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF YOU LOOK IN FORUMS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I HAVE THIS ISSUE AS WELL AND IT COMES ON SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ID

11245458

Incident

Aug 19, 2019

Mileage

58,000 mi

ENGINE COOLING FAN BROKE AT <60K MILES-RATTLING SO MUCH NEARLY PUNCTURED RADIATOR

NHTSA ID

11206408

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2016 NISSAN PARTFINDER SL IN 2016 , AT 65,191 MILES ONE EVENING COMING HOME I HEARD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE , TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER , HAD IT DIAGNOSE AND WAS INFORMED THE THE RADIATOR COOLANT FAN WAS WAS DEFECTIVE . I HAD IT REPLACED NOVEMBER 11/18 2017 , COST US $1268.49 , ON 02/12/2019 THE BRAND NEW COOLING FAN FAIL AGAIN AT 112,303 MILES , TOOK IT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM PREVIOUS . WE CONTACT NISSAN REGIONAL OFFICE FOR REIMBURSEMENT ON REPAIRS AND PARTS OUR RECORDS WAS DENIED . HAVE IT FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN COST US $1016.21 PARTS AND LABOR . THE DEALERSHIP ADVISE US TO KEEP ON FIGHTING FOR THESE COSTS AND REPAIRS BECAUSE IT'S A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH ALL NISSANS COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY .

NHTSA ID

11180200

Incident

Feb 12, 2019

Mileage

112,303 mi

RADIATOR: NISSIAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR FAIL AFTER OWNING FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THIS IS COVERED UNDER EXTEND WARRANTEE. BUT BASE ON THE PAST RADIATOR RECALL, THE VECHILE RAIDATOR MAY NOT BE UP TO SPECS.

NHTSA ID

11174625

Incident

Feb 5, 2019

Mileage

50,000 mi

COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY FAILED ON 1/26/2019 AT 64,XXX MILES. NEW ASSY WAS PURCHASED ON 1/26/2019 FROM TONY SERRA NISSAN IN CULLMAN, AL COSTING $560.29 (PART AND TAX ONLY). I R/R THE ASSY MYSELF, AS I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FIELD, IT TOOK ME JUST SHY OF 2 HOURS TO REPLACE THEM (TIME AND CARE WAS TAKEN). THE SERVICE MANAGER (I FAILED TO ACQUIRE HIS NAME) STATED TO ME ON THE PHONE THAT IT IS A KNOWN/FREQUENT ISSUE. IT WAS A SUDDEN ISSUE, NO NOISES DETECTED ON 1/25/2019. A LIGHT CLICKING DETECTED OUTSIDE ONLY ON 1/26/2019 AT 09:30 HRS, AFTER A <50 MILE ROUND TRIP TO PURCHASE THE PART, EAT, AND GROCERY STORE STOP, ON 1/26/2019 AT 16:00 HRS, A HEAVY KNOCK COULD BE READILY HEARD OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS A 'LOUD ROAR' AND VIBRATIONS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH ALL WINDOWS CLOSED, STATIONARY VEHICLE, AND ENGINE AT IDLE. SYMPTOMS WOULD DISSOLVE WHEN THE A/C WAS DEACTIVATED. ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON TIME, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BRAKE FLUID CHANGE. VEHICLE IS ALSO REGULARLY CLEANED.

NHTSA ID

11172787

Incident

Jan 26, 2019

Mileage

64,000 mi

LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING IN PARK. AFTER RESEARCHING IT, I FOUND OUT THAT IS THE FAN HITTING THE SHROUD AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PART IS ANYWHERE FROM $200-600 AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE LABOR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW, ALWAYS KEPT UP ON THE MAINTENANCE AND OF COURSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT LAST WEEK AND NOW THIS HAPPENS. :(

NHTSA ID

11164764

Incident

Dec 31, 2018

Mileage

76,000 mi

ENGINE FAN BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISE AT 74K MILES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FAN. A QUICK SEARCH UNCOVERED COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11164596

Incident

Dec 31, 2018

Mileage

74,000 mi

OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER 2016 WAS SUDDENLY MAKING LOUD NOISE WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT (ENGINE AREA). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT REPLACEMENT OF FAN SHROUD IS NECESSARY AND THAT'S EXPENSIVE. WE SEND CAR FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO!! THE MILES ON MY CAR IS ABOVE 50000 AND THAT'S WHEN I CAME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM IN ANY OF MY CARS SO FAR. THIS IS SOMETHING TO DO FROM THE MANUFACTURING SIDE.

NHTSA ID

11157328

Incident

Dec 7, 2018

Mileage

51,000 mi

AT 48,800 MILES RADIATOR FAN FAILED. AS WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT NISSAN DEALER, A MOUNTING PART FAILED AND CAUSED THE FAN TO RUB AGAINST THE SHROUD WHEN IN OPERATION. MANY REPORTS OF FAILURE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES FOR MODEL YEARS 2014 -2016, MOST OCCURRING IN THE 50,000 MILE RANGE.

NHTSA ID

11154548

Incident

Nov 19, 2018

Mileage

48,800 mi