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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2017 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 188 owner complaints for the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve engine (83) and power train (34). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2019
Owner complaints
188
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Nov 8, 2019NHTSA 19V807000

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 7, 2018NHTSA 18V601000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

188 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine83
  2. Power train34
  3. Electrical system27
  4. Service brakes11
  5. Steering8
  6. Fuel/propulsion system8
  7. Air bags7
  8. Exterior lighting6
  9. Vehicle speed control5

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
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
10
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

Engine

83 reports3 crashes
“SLUDGE IN ENGINE- UNDER 100,000 MILES We had been keeping up with all recommended services, and it is cosmetically perfect, but the car is now a total loss. A Check Engine light came on, and we began to notice a tremor/shake and took it to Southern Team Nissan. The Nissan dealer diagnosed sludge in the engine and said it would need a total engine replacement. The Nissan dealer advised that the cost of that would be more than the car was worth. After they pulled the pan to check if there was definitely sludge, the car then shook so badly that it felt unsafe to drive. Research shows that this is a known issue, with many cases of documented VQ35DD sludge problems. We see many listed cases on this website under complaints for 2017 Nissan Pathfinders.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2026EngineODI 11756766

Power train

34 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving in a parking lot at unknown speeds, the vehicle began jerking and stalled. The battery had become inoperable. The TPMS message was displayed. The failure was linked to Technical Service Bulletin: NTB15-015h. The local dealer was called and informed the contact that the failure was related to the CVT transmission and confirmed there was no coverage for the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2026Power train, Tires, EngineODI 11709306

Electrical system

27 reports1 crash
“As I was driving my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed and the gas pedal became stuck. I tried to press on the brake as much as possible but the vehicle was not successfully able to be stopped which caused a terrible motor vehicle accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11684133
All 2017 Pathfinder problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 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
202723$2,800395
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192621$3,050415
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD Platinum
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 11408Vehicle 11407
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

2017 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder have?

2 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 2017 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 188 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (83), power train (34), electrical system (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026