Model reliability

Nissan Pathfinder reliability

The Nissan Pathfinder fails its MOT more often than most cars over 10 years old: 47.1% of 6,032 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

6 to 10 years old

40.4% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 767 MOT tests of Nissan Pathfinders this age. A small sample, so take it as a rough guide: a few cars either way can move these figures.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 4× as oftenSprings10.2% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 3× as oftenExhaust emissions6.3% vs 2%Fix about £150

Fails 3× as oftenHeadlamps5.5% vs 1.7%Fix about £30

Fails 3× as oftenPosition lamps4.6% vs 1.5%Fix about £30

Advised 2× as oftenSuspension arms10.8% vs 5.3%

Advised 6× as oftenAnti-roll bars9.6% vs 1.5%

Advised 4× as oftenExhaust system5.6% vs 1.4%Fix about £150

Advised 2× as oftenFluid leaks5.1% vs 2.2%

Over 10 years old

47.1% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 6,032 MOT tests of Nissan Pathfinders this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 62% more oftenPosition lamps8.6% vs 5.3%Fix about £30

Fails 31% more oftenSuspension arms6.7% vs 5.1%

Fails 60% more oftenAnti-roll bars6.7% vs 4.2%

Fails 86% more oftenWashers6.5% vs 3.5%

Advised 2× as oftenAnti-roll bars12.9% vs 6%

Advised 8× as oftenChassis9.9% vs 1.2%

Advised 3× as oftenTransmission8.6% vs 2.9%

Advised 63% more oftenRegistration plate lamp(s)8.5% vs 5.2%Fix about £30

Safety recalls

8 DVSA recalls for the Nissan Pathfinder

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2020/00415 Jan 2020Built 2001–2003Passenger air bag may not deploy correctly

Passenger air bag may not deploy correctly..

Fix: Replace passenger air bag inflator

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 2 vehicles

R/2013/1446 Jan 2014Built 2013Seat belts may not perform as expected

Incorrect installation of the front seat belts has occurred where the position of the left hand side and right hand side seat belts may have been swapped. This incorrect installation affects homologation regulation and may potentially affect restraint performance.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary refit the front seat belts.

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 310 vehicles

R/2013/12825 Nov 2013Built 2013Ball joint may disconnect

The front lower suspension/steering ball joint retaining ring may not have been manufactured to specification. This could in extreme circumstances result in the detachment of the ball joint from its housing. This can then cause loss of control of the vehicle.

Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to check and if required replace the lower link ball joint.

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 471 vehicles

R/2012/0362 Apr 2012Built 2004–2009Driver seat fault

The Drivers power seat harness may become trapped between the metal seat bracket and the seat lifter Mechanism. If the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition damage to the harness may occur and this can result in loss of operation of the driver's power seat. In extreme circumstances unexpected self-operation of the driver's power seat base may occur.

Fix: Inspection of the driver's power seat harness for correct installation rectify if necessary. If the harness is damaged it will be replaced with new.

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 29,866 vehicles

R/2010/18529 Nov 2010Built 2004–2006Engine may stall & fail to restart

It has been identified that it is possible that the contacts in engine control module (ECM) and ignition relay situationed in the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) may become contaminated with silicon oxide due to the evaporating of the silicon from within the units. In extreme cases this could result in the stalling of the engine and the failure to restart the engine.

Fix: Recall all affected vehicles and replace the defective units.

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 83,777 vehicles

R/2010/0618 Jun 2010Built 2010Brakes may not operate correctly

The clevis pin may displace from the brake pedal/brake booster input rod assembly as the clevis pin securing clip may not have been fitted at the factory.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary fit a clevis pin securing clip.

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 125 vehicles

R/2006/03223 Feb 2006Built 2005–2006Steering control may be lost

A concern has been identified relating to the fitment of the steering shaft lower joint. Should the joint become detached steering control will be lost.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the subject joint inspected and the clamp bolt will be renewed if required.

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 7,812 vehicles

R/2005/1702 Dec 2005Built 2005Propshaft may detach from vehicle

Insufficient torque may have been applied to the propshaft securing bolts during production and this could lead to vibration. If the concern is not rectified the propshaft may detach from the vehicle.

Fix: Affected vehicles will be recalled and inspected if necessary the propshaft securing bolts will be replaced.

Recalled models: PATHFINDER · 5,107 vehicles

Show all 8 recalls

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Nissan Pathfinder before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Nissan Pathfinder reliability

8 DVSA recalls for the Nissan Pathfinder

Checking a Nissan Pathfinder before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.