Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 575 owner complaints for the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve power train (214) and air bags (92). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Jun 2022
Owner complaints
575
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Pathfinder vehicles. On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Jun 13, 2022NHTSA 22V420000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. The location of the brake light switch may cause the brake light switch relay to repeatedly open and close. Overtime, this can cause the relay to stick in the "ON" position, with the brake lights remaining illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, this may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brake pedal.

Exterior lightingReported Jan 20, 2021NHTSA 21V020000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to June 13, 2013. The brake light switch may have been installed incorrectly causing the relay to make intermittent contact and repeatedly cycle. This may result in the relay remaining in the "ON" position, causing the brake lights to remain illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, the brake light switch may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brake pedal.

Exterior lightingReported May 31, 2016NHTSA 16V380000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

575 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2013 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train214
  2. Air bags92
  3. Engine62
  4. Visibility/wiper54
  5. Structure48
  6. Service brakes39
  7. Electrical system32
  8. Vehicle speed control25
  9. Suspension15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Pathfinder model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996159
1997225
1998149
1999113
2000128
2001239
2002171
2003110
200467
20051,050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013891
2014575
2015321
2016107
2017188
201878
201976
202053
2022137
2023107
202487
202558
202615
Crashes reported
19
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
32
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

214 reports6 crashes1 fire
“Rear subframe completely rotted through causing excessive tire wear and very poor handling with the car only having 150,000 miles on it and the transmission shutters even with the recommended transmission oil changes and also the brake light switch will fail and I won’t be able to accelerate I thought I was buying a nice trustworthy car for my daughter but nothing but problems!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Suspension, Power train, Service brakesODI 11773463

Air bags

92 reports6 crashes
“Good morning I am sure you are well aware of the cvt transmission problems with the Nissan pathfinder 2014. . Well I just join the group of Nissan [XXX] drivers . I had my cvt transmission replaced and I am still getting the judder as they call it each time I accelerate. Mileage was roughly 143K when I had notice these judder problems . Went to AAMCO had a new cvt transmission put in drive roughly 500 miles since then . I still experience those juddering incidents of the cvt transmission. What can be done ? Will go back to aamco but other then this , any recalls any liability on Nissan itself for manufacturing bad components or a bad cvt transmission? As for the airbag indicator light flashing on the dash . That happen after my cvt was replaced . Any ideas please ? Would appreciate any help advice here . Thank you . Email is [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2024Power train, Air bagsODI 11622644

Engine

62 reports
“2014 Nissan Parhfinder FWD Premium: this vehicles CVT joint failed that shirt the engine down to about 10 miles an hour immediately. Which caused me the driver to find a place to pull it off the road quickly. If a person or myself could not have a point to pull off the road or someone was behind then could have been rear ended the vehicle and major damage to the vehicle or person driving. Which there was and they were about to go around the pathfinder. The vehicle also may have blown the transmission. Unknown damage right now. But the pathfinder stalled out two times while driving it before it shut totally down on the hwy. I had contacted Nissan and we never got together on a date and time for a phone call with an Arbitration specialist. I had called them back several times and never could connect with them.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11750190
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050418
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 8513Vehicle 8512
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder have?

11 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 575 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (214), air bags (92), engine (62). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026