Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Owners filed 188 complaints about the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Apr 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (83).

Complaints
188
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Structure5
  11. Visibility/wiper5
  12. Forward collision avoidance4
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  14. Engine and engine cooling2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20178
201820
201938
202039
202122
202213
202313
202416
202512
20267

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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

Service brakes

11 reports1 crash
“ABS pump "blew" lost compression and leaked all the brake fluid down the engine and all over the control arm. Brake pedal needed to go all the way to the floor to barely use the brakes. EBRAKE light stayed on even when not in use. Traction control light also came on and stayed on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2023Service brakesODI 11549052

Steering

8 reports
“While driving at a speed of 60mph on the highway my pathfinder lost all power and became had to control as my car came to a complete stop causing me to be stuck in between to merging highways with traffic on each side . I was given no warning this was about to happen and it could have cost me my life . My car had to be picked up and towed I would assume it’s my transmission or my engine it is the 3rd. I could not accelerate or shift at all despite having NO warning lights on until I turned it off to save my battery and make my self able to keep my lights and flashers on without causing anymore damage to my car which has already had a complete engine ,diffrential, and transfcase, radiator, and tan blades replaced multiple times at just 2 years old but was out of mileage so Nissan wouldn’t honor them . Well I assumed with Nissans suite winces they know it’s their transmissions they would cover everyone’s since this is on going however they didn’t and only covered to mileage to my surprise .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2023Steering, Power train, EngineODI 11525236

Fuel/propulsion system

8 reports
“The Check Engine light turned on and took it to dealership on 12/14/24 and they stated that Throttle chamber may have issues. Used scanner and code P0101- Mass Air Flow Sensor Circuit was read on scanner. Vehicle struggles to get air flow into engine causes speed to struggle when trying to accelerate.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2024Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11630859
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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