RoadVitals

2025 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
47
Latest Aug 10, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine711.3%
  • Brakes711.3%
  • Powertrain (other)711.3%
  • Visibility69.7%
  • Electrical58.1%
  • Body & structure58.1%
  • Seat belts46.5%
  • Fuel system34.8%
  • Airbags23.2%
  • Other / unspecified11.6%
  • Exterior lighting11.6%
  • Tires & wheels11.6%
  • Interior & seats11.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought my 2025 Pathfinder in November 2025. In early December, the automatic emergency braking symbol started flashing; I took it to the Nissan dealership in Downey, and they told me that unless there was a permanent error code, they couldn't do anything. After reading comments and forum posts, I saw that this was a common issue caused by sunlight and such, so I didn't worry too much about it, but it kept happening. Then, on June 19, 2026, while leaving a parking lot in Monterey Park, CA—just as I was pulling out of my parking space—I heard a very loud pop. It really scared me; I was with my wife and two children. The rear windshield was completely shattered—it had exploded out of nowhere. When I checked online, I realized that many vehicles of this brand—Pathfinders and Rogues—had reported this same incident: exploding spontaneously. Fortunately, my two children were in the second row, but a shard still fell onto my younger son's hand and cut him; he was terrified and crying. I got out of the car, and there was absolutely nothing there—the area was clear. I have photos of the scene and of my son's small cut. Today, June 20, 2026, I took my Pathfinder back to Nissan Downey, but got nowhere; they refuse to take responsibility and don't believe it's a factory defect. They wouldn't help me at all, even though it's a 2025 vehicle with only 6,500 miles on it. They offered to inspect the vehicle but refused to specify that the inspection would be covered under the factory warranty. So, I decided to take my vehicle back without getting a favorable response from Nissan!

NHTSA ID 11745429 · filed Jun 21, 2026

The front collision radar and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on my 2025 Pathfinder Platinum fail intermittently and repeatedly, creating a severe safety hazard. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. Component/System Failed: The front radar sensor randomly malfunctions and shuts down entirely. This completely disables the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), ProPILOT Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Safety Risk: The sudden and unprompted disabling of the Automatic Emergency Braking and Adaptive Cruise Control while traveling at highway speeds poses a severe risk of collision. The driver is forced to take sudden manual control without the expected safety net, creating a highly dangerous distraction and increasing the risk of rear-end crashes. Warning Lamps/Messages: Yes. Usually, after 30 to 60 minutes of highway driving, dashboard warning lights suddenly illuminate, displaying messages such as "Front Radar Unavailable" or "System Fault," accompanied by flashing collision symbols. This occurs in perfect weather conditions, on clear roads, and with perfectly clean sensors (no snow, dirt, or debris obstructing the radar). I have over 30 videos capturing these failures occurring under normal driving conditions. Inspection & Dealer Reproduction: The vehicle has been inspected by two different authorized Nissan dealerships, spending a total of 35 days out of service. At the first dealership (10 days in shop), the official paperwork blamed "dirt/debris," but a service advisor informally admitted via text message that it was an internal system error they could not fix. At the second dealership (25 days in shop), technicians test-drove the vehicle but claimed they "could not duplicate" the intermittent issue and found "no codes," despite me providing them with extensive video evidence of the system crashing. Manufacturer Involvement: I contacted Nissan North America Corporate regarding this severe safety defect and the dealerships

NHTSA ID 11732404 · filed Apr 20, 2026
All 12 reports naming driver assistance

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Component/system failure. Engine shut off while driving @ 70 mph. The car first shifted into neutral all on its own, system shows AT MALFUNCTION. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealership so it is available for inspection. Safety concern is that the vehicle died in 2nd left hand side of road my had my husband not been able to essentially coast and cross 2 lanes of traffic to get to shoulder the vehicle could have potential been sitting in the 2nd left hand lane where traffic was going 70 plus mph. The dealership has not been able to reproduce issue other than seeing the AT Malfunction code, the vehicle is not starting as it did on side of highway. No other inspections have been done to my knowledge. No messages or warnings appeared prior to the vehicle switching into neutral and turn off engine.

NHTSA ID 11755598 · filed Aug 8, 2026

We have been documenting a oil leak on the timing chain cam shaft cover. When the motor heats up the engine seeps/leaks oil on the top of the side of engine. This has been documented for the past few months starting at 37,099 miles when we noticed it, date of first notice was on 4/29/2026. We have pic with time stamps and have taken it to dealership to inspect and have written many times of the issue. We have also filed a consumer affairs and BBB autoline complaints. This is an issue safety issue bc oil can start a car fire, it can also cause a motor to malfunction. This is a safety concern. The dealer says their is no leak at all but they wipe off oil and it returns that an issue. We bought this pathfinder in Oct of 2025 and put on now around 42k miles and it is still an active issue.

NHTSA ID 11742261 · filed Jun 5, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

serious incident that happened. While we were driving heading uphill to the beach, the check engine light and multiple warnings suddenly appeared. It said 'transmission error' and 'engine power reduced,' and the car just shut down with the kids inside. We were at risk of the car rolling backwards. I really think this is a major safety issue tied to the vehicle's design or manufacturing. Second incident was also driving on the road and suddenly all the lights appeared again and the engine shut off on its own leaving me and the kids stuck on road. I wasn’t able to switch it to N to at least try to push it out the way! I was stuck in traffic and had to call road assistance to get the car towed home! At this point I’m scared to drive anywhere especially with my kids inside.

NHTSA ID 11721628 · filed Mar 3, 2026

VIN [XXX] Date of Incident: December 21, 2025 Location: I-295 South, merging onto I-95 South, Jacksonville, FL Vehicle: 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, VIN [XXX] Owner: [XXX] Witness: [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] Email Address: [XXX] Incident Description: While driving on I-295 South, merging onto I-95 South at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The gas pedal became completely stuck to the floor, and I had to keep my foot on the brakes to try to slow the vehicle. Every time I lifted my foot off the brakes, the car would accelerate again. I had to gently pat the brakes repeatedly to slow the vehicle. Once I was finally able to slow the vehicle and bring it to a stop while keeping my foot on the brakes, I tried to shift the car into Park, but it would not go into Park and the gas pedal remained stuck to the floor. I had to turn off the engine completely before the gas pedal released and the car could be shifted into Park. My husband, Alan Moore, was in the car and witnessed all of these events. This incident created a life-threatening situation. The vehicle had previously been taken to the dealership for fuel consumption issues, but no problem was found at that time. Additional Information: The vehicle is unsafe to drive, and I am requesting immediate escalation to Nissan North America for buyback or replacement, as well as a loaner vehicle while this matter is under review. VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11706414 · filed Dec 21, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Component/system failure. Engine shut off while driving @ 70 mph. The car first shifted into neutral all on its own, system shows AT MALFUNCTION. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealership so it is available for inspection. Safety concern is that the vehicle died in 2nd left hand side of road my had my husband not been able to essentially coast and cross 2 lanes of traffic to get to shoulder the vehicle could have potential been sitting in the 2nd left hand lane where traffic was going 70 plus mph. The dealership has not been able to reproduce issue other than seeing the AT Malfunction code, the vehicle is not starting as it did on side of highway. No other inspections have been done to my knowledge. No messages or warnings appeared prior to the vehicle switching into neutral and turn off engine.

NHTSA ID 11755598 · filed Aug 8, 2026

We have been documenting a oil leak on the timing chain cam shaft cover. When the motor heats up the engine seeps/leaks oil on the top of the side of engine. This has been documented for the past few months starting at 37,099 miles when we noticed it, date of first notice was on 4/29/2026. We have pic with time stamps and have taken it to dealership to inspect and have written many times of the issue. We have also filed a consumer affairs and BBB autoline complaints. This is an issue safety issue bc oil can start a car fire, it can also cause a motor to malfunction. This is a safety concern. The dealer says their is no leak at all but they wipe off oil and it returns that an issue. We bought this pathfinder in Oct of 2025 and put on now around 42k miles and it is still an active issue.

NHTSA ID 11742261 · filed Jun 5, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear glass fractured. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that there was no impact to the glass to cause the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicles. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

NHTSA ID 11756032 · filed Aug 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside a parking lot, the contact discovered that an L shaped cracked had formed on the windshield. The contact stated that the crack appeared to have started on the top, passenger side of the window, running down that part of the glass before veering of towards the driver side of the windshield. The contact stated that the failure appeared to have occurred without incident. The dealer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. In addition, the contact was informed that the windshield must be replaced with an OEM windshield due to the cameras on the windshield. The contact was also referred to her warranty provider; however, she had yet to get in touch with them. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

NHTSA ID 11738021 · filed May 15, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I purchased this vehicle new, and it has exhibited multiple safety-related problems. 1.The transmission intermittently fails to engage reverse; when reverse is selected, the vehicle sometimes goes into neutral. 2.When this occurs, the rearview camera does not activate, creating a serious risk when backing up. 3.Additionally, the odometer/mileage appears to increase unusually fast without corresponding driving, suggesting a possible software malfunction affecting the vehicle’s electronic systems. These issues occur at low mileage, shortly after purchase. The combination of reverse failure and non-functioning rearview camera poses a direct safety hazard and may violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) regarding rear visibility and transmission operation.

NHTSA ID 11720309 · filed Feb 24, 2026

The 25 pathfinder SV back up camera lags 2 to 3 seconds when shifted to reverse. It show a still image of what's behind but does not update to live feed till a few seconds later. This is dangerous as there have been many cases where I thought what the camera was showing was a live view behind my car when it was just a still image. I have had some close calls when backing into parkings spots.

NHTSA ID 11712007 · filed Jan 20, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I just bought a nissan pathfinder in novemeber 2025.the mileage is around 13100 miles.while driving on the highway a part of my exterior trim panel on the right rear passeger side door just ripped off and flew away. I was lucky i did not meet any accident. I conatcted the Nissan company and that i don’t feel safe driving in this vehicle so i want them to replace it but they would not do that. This is a safety-critical defect that could cause a crash if it happens again or if a detached part hits another vehicle. A part falling off at highway speeds poses a clear risk off collision, injury or property damage to my vehicle and others. I am concerned this is a manufacturing defect that could recur. Now i am scared every time i drive this vehicle thinking something might fall off again and i will meet with an accident. I don’t feel safe in the vehicle anymore since I’m usually travelling with my family.

NHTSA ID 11754465 · filed Aug 3, 2026

I bought my 2025 Pathfinder in November 2025. In early December, the automatic emergency braking symbol started flashing; I took it to the Nissan dealership in Downey, and they told me that unless there was a permanent error code, they couldn't do anything. After reading comments and forum posts, I saw that this was a common issue caused by sunlight and such, so I didn't worry too much about it, but it kept happening. Then, on June 19, 2026, while leaving a parking lot in Monterey Park, CA—just as I was pulling out of my parking space—I heard a very loud pop. It really scared me; I was with my wife and two children. The rear windshield was completely shattered—it had exploded out of nowhere. When I checked online, I realized that many vehicles of this brand—Pathfinders and Rogues—had reported this same incident: exploding spontaneously. Fortunately, my two children were in the second row, but a shard still fell onto my younger son's hand and cut him; he was terrified and crying. I got out of the car, and there was absolutely nothing there—the area was clear. I have photos of the scene and of my son's small cut. Today, June 20, 2026, I took my Pathfinder back to Nissan Downey, but got nowhere; they refuse to take responsibility and don't believe it's a factory defect. They wouldn't help me at all, even though it's a 2025 vehicle with only 6,500 miles on it. They offered to inspect the vehicle but refused to specify that the inspection would be covered under the factory warranty. So, I decided to take my vehicle back without getting a favorable response from Nissan!

NHTSA ID 11745429 · filed Jun 21, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Front Passenger Seat Belt Buckle We have concerns regarding the front passenger seat belt buckle. My wife and another family member have both experienced issues where the buckle will sometimes not latch securely, and at other times it is difficult to release. On one occasion, the buckle would not release until I repeatedly pressed the release button so my wife could exit the vehicle. This most recently occurred on July 9, 2026.This is a safety concern and after review booklet this should be cover under nissan warranty.

NHTSA ID 11750861 · filed Jul 16, 2026

Unknown Subject: Safety Concern Regarding Rock Creek Model Seatbelt Design I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern regarding the seatbelt design used in the Nissan Rock Creek model. Specifically, the seatbelt in this vehicle includes a plastic insert that is stitched directly into the belt. This configuration appears unusual when compared to standard seatbelt construction and, in my view, raises significant questions about its safety and performance in the event of a collision. My primary concern is whether this particular seatbelt design, including the stitched-in plastic insert, has undergone full crash-testing and safety validation. Seatbelts are critical life-saving devices, and any nonstandard configuration can introduce potential failure points. Before continuing to use this vehicle, I would like written confirmation that this design meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards, including FMVSS 209 and 210, and that it has been tested under conditions representative of a real-world crash scenario. I am deeply concerned that this feature may pose a hazard to vehicle occupants if it compromises the belt’s ability to lock, restrain, or distribute force correctly during an accident. For this reason, I respectfully request a prompt, detailed response. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your explanation and confirmation regarding the safety of this system.

NHTSA ID 11743608 · filed Jun 11, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Both sluggish to begin acceleration and car acceleration on its own after a passing throttle up. It was as if the throttle stuck open for more than 5 seconds.

NHTSA ID 11743646 · filed Jun 12, 2026

serious incident that happened. While we were driving heading uphill to the beach, the check engine light and multiple warnings suddenly appeared. It said 'transmission error' and 'engine power reduced,' and the car just shut down with the kids inside. We were at risk of the car rolling backwards. I really think this is a major safety issue tied to the vehicle's design or manufacturing. Second incident was also driving on the road and suddenly all the lights appeared again and the engine shut off on its own leaving me and the kids stuck on road. I wasn’t able to switch it to N to at least try to push it out the way! I was stuck in traffic and had to call road assistance to get the car towed home! At this point I’m scared to drive anywhere especially with my kids inside.

NHTSA ID 11721628 · filed Mar 3, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I was involved in a multi-car accident on Oct. 7, 2025. During the accident, I slammed on my brakes because the car in front of me was slamming on its brakes. The car behind me pummeled into my Pathfinder, sending me careening into the car in front of me. There was a huge impact on both ends of my vehicle. My face crashed into the steering wheel. The airbags did not deploy. My nose gushed blood for about 1 hour. I have included photos of my swollen and bruised face to show the after effects of the wreck day of and the next day.

NHTSA ID 11692205 · filed Oct 8, 2025

The contact owned a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the ABS warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS system needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the ABS system was not calibrated due to the ABS warning light re-illuminated. On another occasion, the contact stated that while driving approximately 70 - 75 MPH, a vehicle in the middle lane switched to the last left lane, and the contact maneuvered the vehicle to the middle lane due to the collision avoidance alarm activating. The tires spun out of control, and the front brakes failed and locked. The vehicle skidded and crashed head-on into a semi truck. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.

NHTSA ID 11689221 · filed Sep 23, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I am writing to formally report a serious and ongoing safety concern regarding my Nissan Pathfinder. During the initial test drive, conducted on a particularly windy day, I noticed sharp and sudden pulling to both the left and right while traveling at freeway speeds. At the time, I attributed much of this instability to the wind conditions and proceeded with the purchase. However, since taking ownership of the vehicle, the problem has persisted under normal driving conditions. While traveling on the freeway, the vehicle will unpredictably and forcefully pull to either side without warning. This repeated and erratic movement creates a legitimate fear that the vehicle could sideswipe another car, resulting in a serious accident. This is not a minor steering issue — it is a dangerous driving condition that compromises the safety of myself, my passengers, and other motorists. I reported this unsafe driving behavior to the service department at Kendall Nissan. The service manager acknowledged that similar complaints have been reported on several other vehicles they have serviced and attributed the issue to the tires. My vehicle is equipped with Bridgestone Alenza Sport AS 255/50R20 105H tires. In an effort to confirm or eliminate the tires as the cause, I requested that they be replaced. That request was denied, and I was directed to contact Nissan Customer Care. I contacted Nissan Customer Care on two separate occasions seeking resolution. My initial complaint was dismissed. After clearly stating that we felt highly unsafe operating the vehicle, I was informed that a buyback request would be submitted. Later, I was contacted and told the buyback request had been denied. Instead, I was offered reimbursement equivalent to one monthly payment — an offer that does not address or correct the underlying safety defect. Given that the dealership has acknowledged similar incidents with multiple vehicles, this appears to be a broader and potentially significant safety issue t

NHTSA ID 11720429 · filed Feb 25, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

If you have your light set in another position other than auto set, your break lights do not com on. I was getting ready to travel on a trip to Georgia from Texas. I pulled into a gas station when a lady pulled up beside me and said that your break lights are not working. Sure enough they were not working! After a while of checking the different lighting setting we found that the break lights only work in the automatic mode. This was reported to Clark Nissan at Abilene, Texas. They reported that they have found this to be true and found all of the Nissan cars in their lot worked like this. I was advise that they were reporting this to their head office. In the mean time for me to keep the switch in Auto setting. (Break lights should never be disengaged).

NHTSA ID 11682897 · filed Aug 25, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My warning lights are showing my driver front tire psi is high passenger front is real high and passenger rear is high then driver rear is extremely low. There are no signs of hole in tire but took to tire professional and they told me the rear tire has a manufacturer defect. Looks like it has been burnt or cut out spot on inside tire wall. My tire size is 255/60/R18. I have called the dealership where I just purchased the vehicle and they tell me to contact Kumho tires and Kumho tires tells me to contact dealership. This tire blows and can cause the vehicle to flip and possibly kill people in Pathfinder or others on road.

NHTSA ID 11675460 · filed Jul 22, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The drivers seat does not have enough padding. I was driving in New Jersey on the thruway and because the seat does not have enough cushion I tried to adjust myself and that caused me to go into other lane. Luckily no accident but this is definitely a safety issue. I do have pictures to show of the condition of the seat.

NHTSA ID 11690065 · filed Sep 27, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .