2020 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
47 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
7,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 47 complaints (34.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 14.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 8.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 8.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.3% |
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 | 16 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 2 |
Engine: 16; Electrical System: 11; Power Train: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Suspension: 3; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 42 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2022: 8; 2023: 8; 2024: 8; 2025: 7; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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 11327192 · 2020-06-03 (June 3, 2020)
WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT I HEARD A VERY HIGH PITCH NOISE. I PUT MY WINDOW DOWN TO HEAR WHAT IT WAS. THE SOUND WAS VERY CONCERNING ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I HAVE LESS THAN 3K MILES ON MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T SURE WHY IT WAS MAKING THE NOISE... (IT STOPPED ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP) BUT THEY SAID MY CAR WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I WOULD OF NEVER KNOWN MY CAR WAS HAVING THESE ISSUES IF I DIDN'T HEARD THAT NOISE. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR EVEN FOR 3 MONTHS YET & IT ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361565 · 2020-09-28 (September 28, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING ON AUGUST 30 APPROXIMATELY 7:45ON MY VEHICLE'S BRAKES APPLIED BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME APPLYING THE BRAKES.AT THE TIME I WAS ONLY YOU 20 MPH.I NOTIFIED NISSAN,AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE.THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 6 WEEKS OLD.MY VEHICLE IS A 2020 NISSAN PATHFINDER.I NEED HELP.THANKS.I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET.
Owner-reported narrative. 798 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11476228 · 2022-07-27 (July 27, 2022)
When braking anywhere from 50 mph to 25mph rpms increase whe braking, engine and transmission still pushing vehicle until torque converter disengages at 20mph. If you need to slow down quickly it requires extra braking force until the car reaches 20mph.. if you put the car in neutral it will slow down much faster because transmission and engine aren't still pushing the truck. This hot much worse after Nissan changed the transmission program a few months ago.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11476228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11564191 · 2024-01-08 (January 8, 2024)
At recommend 60k interval transmission was having issues and advised the Nissan Dealership concerning issue. After consulting with Master tech on site and Corporate Nissan service was completed and still have issues. Transmission slips at all different intervals for the known cvt transmission that is in vehicle. Nissan suggested to have a ecm/tcm update to possibly diagnose the problem wanted to charge $150 for no guarantee of any results. Did ride alone with shop Forman. Still have issues and no check engine light or other lights are show…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11564191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11554788 · 2023-11-13 (November 13, 2023)
Engine misfiring on left side due to faulty timing chains. Car would not start at times, and engine light flashing. Safety was at risk due to engine being unreliable, misfiring, and we were advised it could possibly stall/cut-out while driving. Problem confirmed by independent service center. Dealer service center would not diagnose without taking engine apart at our expense, they recommended replacing the whole engine, and the car is only 3 years own. There is a know issue with the timing chains on this model of vehicle, yet they did noth…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11554788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11560432 · 2023-12-16 (December 16, 2023)
There's been a loss of power when accelerating, engine has made an odd noise during startup and occasionally a knocking noise when driven longer than a 10 mins. Dealership said there's metal in the oil pan. I saw an article today that said only nissan three and four cylinder vehicles have these issues but my pathfinder has the same problems.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532994 · 2023-07-18 (July 18, 2023)
On multiple occasions now, but not consistently, you go to start the vehicle and the lights turn on, radio comes on, seat moves into position, ac blows cold, everything fine, except the car doesn’t start. The brake is harder to push when this does occur, and most times a 2nd or 3rd try, it finally turns the car on. Went to have car checked, the battery, starter, and alternator checked 100% fine. One time it took nearly 30 minutes for it to start.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11686821 · 2025-09-12 (September 12, 2025)
Electrical issues with my car including AC. Timing belt chain went and gasket covers. Continuous issue with this vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11686821 at NHTSA ↗