Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2020 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve engine (17) and electrical system (12). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
53
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
53 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2020 – Sep 2026
- Engine17
- Electrical system12
- Power train9
- Service brakes6
- Forward collision avoidance4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Back over prevention3
- Suspension3
- Vehicle speed control2
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 159 |
| 1997 | 225 |
| 1998 | 149 |
| 1999 | 113 |
| 2000 | 128 |
| 2001 | 239 |
| 2002 | 171 |
| 2003 | 110 |
| 2004 | 67 |
| 2005 | 1,050 |
| 2006 | 837 |
| 2007 | 561 |
| 2008 | 328 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 45 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 891 |
| 2014 | 575 |
| 2015 | 321 |
| 2016 | 107 |
| 2017 | 188 |
| 2018 | 78 |
| 2019 | 76 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2022 | 137 |
| 2023 | 107 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 58 |
| 2026 | 15 |
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
17 reports
“Just bought this used car this summer and worked for about 2 months then had to repair a Failing Radiator/Condenser Cooling Fan Assembly. Seems like the same class action issue from the previous versions. Hoping this can be another recall. It seems like the same defective part that was used.”
Electrical system
12 reports
“The car stalled three times and died in active traffic. The breakdown was so hazardous that the police department had to intervene and push the car out of the road and had to tow the car more than 3 times and was at the Nissan Dealership for over one week. I paid Nissan dealership $5,000 to repair this specific, life-threatening defect, but the car returned to me unfixed.The vehicle is unsafe and has been sitting parked at my house for 3 months because I cannot safely drive it. It keeps stalling, dying in traffic and making a loud grind noise. I need help.”
Power train
9 reports
“A few months after purchase, the power cut off on me. Then it happened again the following year. Then the screen for backing up started going on and off. Then I started feeling like the car was loosing power. In the last 2 years the power cutting off has occurred 3 more times and the rear screen camera has started glitching more where it goes out when switching in reverse.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 392 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 401 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Platinum Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 414 |
- 23mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Nissan 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%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2020 Pathfinder questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.
What are the most common 2020 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (17), electrical system (12), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026