2017 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 186 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 8 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipPark outsideNov 8, 2019
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Campaign 19V807000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipPark outsideSep 7, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Campaign 18V601000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
186 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 26, 2020
UNDER 40,000 MILES AND THE COOLING FAN STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. ANOTHER DEAD RADIATOR FAN, NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO DESIGN THESE THINGS TO LAST MORE THAN JUST PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD. NOTICED THE NOISE FIRST WHEN THE WIFE PULLED IN BUT UPON RESTART THERE WAS NO NOISE, 5 MINS LATER IT WAS BACK AND THE FAN ASSEMBLY WAS VISIBLY SHAKING. *TR
Structure, May 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE LIFTGATE STARTED TO OPEN, IT WOULD THEN IMMEDIATELY CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WELCH NISSAN (2505 S OLIVE ST, PINE BLUFF, AR 71601) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, May 13, 2020
WHEN MY 2017 PATHFINDER GOT TO ABOUT 40,000 MILES (JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2020), IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE, COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIATOR. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THE COOLING FAN WAS LOOSE, CAN'T REMEMBER THE PART THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE, BUT IT WAS BUSTED...OF COURSE IT WAS! MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000, SO THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. IT WAS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $900-$1000 FOR REPAIRS. AND I COULDN'T DRIVE IT UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. I WAS NOTICEABLY UPSET AND ASKED WHY THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING TO A NEW VEHICLE, AND WAS IT NORMAL FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BREAK THIS SOON? THE SERVICE GUY AGREED THAT IT PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE WORN OUT THIS SOON, AND WAS ABLE TO FIND A COUPON ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT HE APPLIED TO MY BILL. YAY. I'M GREATLY DISAPPOINTED TO BE SEEING SO MANY OTHERS WHO HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM AS WELL. THIS IS CLEARLY FAULTY PARTS AND I WOULD LIKE A REFUND FOR THE REPAIRS I HAD TO MAKE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 6, 2020
HAVE JUST UNDER 40,000 MILES ON MY 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND MY COOLING FAN LITERALLY WOBBLES AS IT SPINS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT CONTINUES TO MAKE THIS NOISE AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNTIL THE FAN STOPS SPINNING. I RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. A FAN SHOULDN'T GIVE OUT IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND THE DEALER QUOTED ME $1000-1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO GET IT FIXED. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS POSTED FOR YEARS NOW - THIS SHOULD BE A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR NISSAN AS OBVIOUSLY THIS FAN IS A DEFECTIVE. WILL THINK TIWICE ABOUT ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT FOR SURE. HAD A HONDA THAT I DROVE OR 12 YEARS AND NEVER HAD 1 PROBLEM OUT OF IT.
Engine, Mar 1, 2020
I HAVE A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000 MILES ON IT. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, I TURNED ON MY CAR AND HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WAS A FAULTY RADIATOR FAN AND IT WOULD COST ME AROUND $1,000 TO FIX IT. THE MANUFACTURER WARRENTY IS ONLY 3 YR/36,000 MILES FOR BASIC AND 5 YR/50,000 MILES FOR POWERTRAIN. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL I GET IT FIXED, DUE TO THE FACT IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE BY CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. THIS A FAIRLY NEW CAR AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TROUBLE WITH FAULTY PARTS WHEN THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD.
Engine, Feb 29, 2020
LIKE MANY OTHERS, AT 39,913 MILES THE COOLING FANS STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER TAKING TO THE DEALER, THEY DETERMINED THE RADIATOR/COOLING FAN WAS LOOSE AND RUBBING ON THE SHROUD. THE RADIATOR FAN WAS REPLACED. TOTAL BILL WAS $922. HOPING THERE IS ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO JUSTIFY AN INVESTIGATION AND EVENTUAL RECALL.
Service brakes, Feb 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V807000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2020
AC/ FAN MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNED ON UNABLE TO USE BECAUSE NOISE IS SO BAD- NEED TO REPLACE COOLING FAN- NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY NISSAN AS THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT
Engine, Feb 11, 2020
MY 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 56K MILES DEVELOPED A LOUD CRACKLING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, RAISED HOOD TO INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF THE ABNORMAL SOUND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE COOLING FAN BLADES WERE RUBBING ON THE SHROUD AROUND BLADE FAN/MOTOR ASSEMBLY. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT HE HAS SEEN A SIMILAR ISSUES LIKE THIS AND THE CAUSE IS A FAILED BEARING/BUSHING ON THE FAN AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $900
Engine, Feb 11, 2020
THE CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD FAN NOISE. MY CAR IS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND I AM AT 70,000. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WOULD BE 1K TO FIX. I THINK IT IS UNFAIR THAT THE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY WOULD FAIL AT 70,000 MILES.
Engine, Feb 9, 2020
THE COOLING FAN STARTED MAKING VERY LOUD NOISE AT 40000 MILES. ISSUE SEEMS VERY COMMON AS HUNDREDS OF OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR ISSUE. DEALER ASKING $1200 TO REPLACE THE FAN. SINCE THIS IS VERY COMMON ISSUE AFFECTING MOST PATHFINDER CARS NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE FOR FREE. THIS IS SAFETY RELATED SINCE IF DEFECTIVE IT WILL CAUSE ENGINE OVERHEATING SPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 22, 2020
I PULLED OUT TO TURN LEFT ON A FOUR LANE CITY STREET, ENTERED INTO THE FIRST 2 LANES (TRAFFIC COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE) WHEN THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AND JUST SAT MOTIONLESS WHILE CARS IN BOTH LANES WERE MOVING TOWARD ME. SPEED LIMIT ON THAT STREET IS 50 MPH. I MAINTAINED PRESSURE ON THE GAS, AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR BEGAN TO MOVE. THE NEXT MORNING, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BRANDON FLORIDA NISSAN DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE "REBUILT". THIS IS A 2017 PATHFINDER WITH 45000 MILES.
Steering, Jan 22, 2020
THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD BUZZING NOISE AFTER REACHING 59,000 MILES. THE BUZZING IS SO LOUD IT CAN BE HEARD INDOORS AND ALL AROUND THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTED THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED AND ADVISED TO CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS SIX DAYS LATER TO INFORM ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $3,000.00 ESTIMATE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED. NISSAN'S RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM WAS YOU ARE TO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY TO ASSIST YOU. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PUMP COULD CREATE A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION WHEN I AM TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY. THE SOUND GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER THE LONGER YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT SOUNDS LIKE AN BUZZING ALARM IS GOING OFF AND THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 17, 2020
WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED EITHER FOR AIR CONDITIONING OR DEFROST IT ACTIVATES A SECONDARY COOLING FAN ON THE RADIATOR. THIS FAN STARTED MAKING NOISE (GROWLING) AND VIBRATING. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. UPON PRESENTING THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER THE SERVICE TECH. SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE COOLING FAN. HE ALREADY KNEW BEFORE HE EXAMINED THE CAR. ONCE THEY EXAMINED THE CAR THEY CONFIRMED THAT IS WAS THE FAN. COST TO ME OVER $1000.00 THIS NOISE HAPPENED ANYTIME ANYPLACE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE COMPRESSOR ENGAGED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2020
AC FAN MAKES LOUD SOUND WHEN HEATING OR COOLING IS TURNED ON. FIRST STARTED WHEN FAN WAS SET TO MAX ONLY, NOW THE NOISE IS OCCURRING EVEN WHEN FAN IS SET TO LOW.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 12, 2020, crash
THE VEHICLE CRANKS UP BY ITSELF AFTER THE DOORS ARE LOCKED AND THE BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT TURN OFF WHEN THE GEAR IS PUT BACK IN DRIVE. I HAVE A COUPLE OF VIDEOS BUT CAN'T ATTACH ON HERE.
Engine, Jan 12, 2020
ON 1/9 I SUDDENLY NOTED A LOUD, SHAKING, VIBRATING NOISE IN MY 2017 PATHFINDER. I IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTED TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT IT WAS SO BAD I STOPPED AT ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP ON THE WAY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEED A NEW COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY DUE TO BAD BEARINGS, TO THE TUNE OF $850! SEEMS TO BE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IN LOW MILEAGE NEW PATHFINDERS. MINE HAS 64,500 MILES. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE COULD OVERHEAT OR IT COULD DAMAGE THE RADIATOR IF IT CAME APART WHILE DRIVING.
Structure, Jan 10, 2020
ENGINE HOOD VIBRATES AT SPEED AT ABOVE 55 MPH. I CAN SEE IT MOVES UP AND DOWN FROM DRIVER SEAT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2020
COOLING FAN ON MOST NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV'S (MODELS 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) SEEMS TO BE GOING BAD AROUND 36,000 MILES. THERE HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS FROM OTHER PATHFINDER CUSTOMERS. SOME CUSTOMERS EVEN REPORTED HAVING TO REPLACE THE COOLING FAN TWICE IN LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. SURPRISINGLY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET OR NISSAN HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 36,000 MILES (RIGHT WHEN WARRANTY EXPIRES) AND IT SOUNDED LIKE RAPID FIRE GOING OFF IN THE FRONT GRILL. AFTER DRIVING A WHILE YOU CAN SMELL AS IF SOMETHING IS BURNING UNDER THE HOOD AND THE BURNING SMELL MAKES IT INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR TOO LONG BEFORE THE BURNING SMELL STARTS BOTHERING YOU AND GIVING YOU HEADACHES. ONCE THE COOLING FAN GOES BAD, IT ALSO SPILLS SOME SHORT OF LIQUID IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BURNING SMELL TO STILL BE AROUND FOR 1-2 WEEK EVEN AFTER GETTING THE COOLING FAN REPLACED. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN SERVICE CENTER, THE LADY THERE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE ISSUE WAS WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE HOOD. SHE SAID "YES YOUR COOLING FAN HAS GONE BAD AND WILL NEED REPLACING, WE HAD SEVERAL OF THESE WITH THE SAME ISSUE" I MENTIONED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE, BUT THEY DIDN'T DO MUCH ABOUT IT. THEY REFERRED ME TO THEIR REGIONAL OFFICE, WHICH I CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THEY AREN'T ABLE TO DO ANYTHING UNLESS A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUES BY NHTSA. OTHER COMPLAINTS CAN BE LOCATED ON: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/NISSAN/PATHFINDER/COOLING-FAN-PROBLEMS.PHP
Engine, Jan 2, 2020
WITH ENGINE RUNNING, THE ELECTRIC COOLING FANS WOBBLE WHEN THEY COME ON, MOST LIKELY DUE TO WORN BUSHING/BEARING. THE FANS DON'T APPEAR TO BE HITTING ANYTHING BUT MAKE A LOUD AUDIBLE TAPPING NOISE. DRIVER SIDE FAN SEEMS WORSE THAN PASSENGER SIDE. THE FANS COME ON AS SOON AS I TURN ON THE CABIN FAN TO CIRCULATE AIR; THIS IS 45 DEGREE F WEATHER AND "HEAT" NOT A/C. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS.
Engine, Dec 30, 2019
ON THURSDAY 12/26 MY CAR STARTED MAKING A CRAZY SOUND. BY 12/27 I WAS TOLD BY NTB THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS IN HORRIBLE CONDITION. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT AND THAT IS THE 3RD ONE THAT THEY HAD REPLACED. THIS IS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 50,000 MILES. NTB WAS SURPRISED BY THE FAN CONDITION WITH IT BEING A FAIRLY NEW CAR.
Engine, Dec 20, 2019
I'VE HAD MY PATHFINDER FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND NOW THE COOLANT FAN HAS STARTED FLAPPING AWFUL. IT STARTED YESTERDAY AT MY CHILDS SCHOOL DROP OFF. ANYTIME I HAVE MY HEAT ON OR A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT IS MAKING A HORRID SOUND.. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 FOR A FAN AND LABOR? IS THIS FAN MADE OUT OF GOLD? IF IT ONLY LASTS A YEAR AND A HALF, THIS IS REDICULOUS. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE ON FORUMS COMPLAIN AND THEY REQUESTED WE CONTACT THIS WEBSITE. AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 AND CHOSE THIS BRAND FOR MY FAMILY, I CANT SEE MYSELF PAYING $1000 EVERY OTHER YEAR FOR A PLASTIC PART THAT PROBABLY IS MADE FOR LESS THAN $50. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
Service brakes, Dec 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE AND EXTREMELY DEPLETED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BEL AIR NISSAN (1506 BEL AIR RD, BEL AIR, MD 21014, (443) 686-7140) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES, DISCS, AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 37879548. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND USAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 12, 2019
CAR CONSTANTLY STUTTERS, WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF GAS, I'VE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WHICH IS UNRESOLVED AND UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED WHEN NEEDED TO BE FOUND. THE 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE FAN WENT OUT. I'VE REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND STILL SAME ISSUE. THE TOUCH SCREEN GOES BLACK AND ALSO IS NO LONGER WORKING. ALL PROBLEMS STARTED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY ENDED. I'VE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES IN DIFFERENT CITIES. WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND ON IT BLOWS OUT WHITE SMOKE AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I'M SCARED TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE HESITATION AND THE FEELING OF IT GOING TO LOSE POWER.
Engine, Dec 5, 2019
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND GETS UP TO TEMPERATURE, THE COOLING FAN TRIES TO KICK IN BUT DOESN'T SPIN THE FAN. IT JUST MAKES A LOUD CLICKING NOISE LIKE THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS ARE TURNING BUT THE FAN DOESN'T TURN. MY WIFE FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO RECREATE IT IN MY GARAGE, WITH THE VEHICLE STATIONARY. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND IT IS APPARENTLY A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL.