2016 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
49,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 65 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 105 complaints (25.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 15.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 7.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 21 |
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
Engine: 27; Unknown Or Other: 21; Air Bags: 18; Electrical System: 11; Service Brakes: 11; Power Train: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Wheels: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 40 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2016: 5; 2017: 6; 2018: 17; 2019: 26; 2020: 15; 2021: 6; 2022: 9; 2023: 5; 2024: 6; 2025: 7; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10953529 · 2017-01-22 (January 22, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER VEHICLE, WE FELT A SUDDEN VIBRATION AND THEN THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL (TIRE AND RIM) FELL OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE CAME DOWN ON WHAT REMAINED OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD UNTIL WE HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO THEN COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE WHEEL THAT CAME OFF CONTINUED THROUGH AN OPEN FIELD AND COLLIDED WITH A PRIVATE PROPERTY FENCE, DAMAGING THE FENCE IN THE PROCESS. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 6 OF US IN THE VEH…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10953529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11081831 · 2018-03-28 (March 28, 2018)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RESULTED IN LOSS OF RPM AND BRAKES. COULD NOT SHUT OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11081831 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11209388 · 2019-05-22 (May 22, 2019)
A RATTLE BEGAN IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR NEAR THE ENGINE. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO NISSAN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT FAN WAS GOING BAD AND SHAKING. I WAS TOLD IF NOT REPLACED, IT WOULD DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION FAN. I WAS QUOTED $873 TO GET A NEW FAN ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD THAT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT TO WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11209388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424875 · 2021-07-14 (July 14, 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11088907 · 2018-04-18 (April 18, 2018)
STEERING WHEEL GOT STUCK AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11114363 · 2018-07-29 (July 29, 2018)
STEERING BECAME STIFF WHILE DRIVIVINF AND CAR SEEMS TO PULL ON OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE TURN. DEALER NOTES STEERING PUMP LEAK.
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11082648 · 2018-04-03 (April 3, 2018)
THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD ASSEMBLY AND I CANNOT FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS AT ANY DEALER, AUTO PARTS STORE NOR JUNK YARD DUE TO SO MANY PEOPLE NEEDING THESE PARTS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON BACKORDER AND DONT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE CAR COULD OVERHEAT AND STALL IF THESE PARTS ARE NOT REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11082648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374662 · 2020-11-14 (November 14, 2020)
MY CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW, NO ACCIDENTS, AND ONLY HAS LESS THAN 53 MILES TO BE A 2016 PATHFINDER. SO TELL ME WHY THE CHEAP MOTOR FAN THAT NISSAN PUT IT IN STARED MAKING A CLANG NOISE EVERYTHING I WOULD TURN THE AIR OR HEATER ON. LIKE NISSAN WHAT IS THIS. WITH ALL THIS COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME ITEM, YOU GUYS SHOULD PUT A RECALL ONTHIS ITEM. IT'S ASHAMED SO FAR BAD EXPERIENCE WITH TO VEHICLES FROM YOU GUYS. EVEN ON THE NISSAN TITAN THAT WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW AT 3 MONTHS SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE AND GAS TANK AND YOU GUYS DID NOT WANT TO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11374662 at NHTSA ↗