Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2019 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 76 owner complaints for the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve engine (15) and forward collision avoidance (11). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2019
Owner complaints
76
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

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Sep 12, 2019NHTSA 19V654000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

76 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2019 – Sep 2026
  1. Engine15
  2. Forward collision avoidance11
  3. Service brakes10
  4. Electrical system10
  5. Power train9
  6. Back over prevention7
  7. Structure6
  8. Vehicle speed control5
  9. Air bags4

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
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
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

15 reports1 fire
“Check engine light came in. Took into repair shop to change oil and diagnose issue. It was about 7,000 miles since previous oil change with full synthetic oil. Drained oil was full of metal shavings. Refilled oil and ran engine. Metal shavings was again observed in oil immediately. Mechanic stated vehicle needed a new engine. Noticed another complaint (#11674909) built around same time with exact same issue. Vehicle has ~160k miles with regular maintenace and only synthetic oil. There should not be engine damage at this point that would lead to a failure as this. Cost of repair is currently being worked up by repair shop but likely in $3-7k range.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2025EngineODI 11702032

Forward collision avoidance

11 reports
“abs , trac and Intelligent Cruise Control lights on in dash being addressed multiple times , now the lights being on for a while and there's VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN for ABS ACTUATOR Classification: BR19-006 Reference: NTB19-104 Date: november 12 ,2019 called Nissan and they said not covered”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11764548

Service brakes

10 reports2 crashes
“I am driving the car in the highway when I tray to exit ,I see the RED light semaforo in the end of the exit. Well I tray to stop the car and the brakes does' not work, and the air bag coming out before I hit the other car.My car in the front not have any damage. the other car don't have any , big damage only litere rash in the bumper. I don't now way the brakes does 'not work and the air bag coming up before the hithing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2026Air bags, Service brakesODI 11716590
All 2019 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$3,050424
  • 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 13427Vehicle 13426
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

2019 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2019 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 2019 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 76 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (15), forward collision avoidance (11), service brakes (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026