Problems · NHTSA complaints

2022 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Owners filed 137 complaints about the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Aug 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (33).

Complaints
137
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes33
  2. Electrical system20
  3. Engine18
  4. Power train17
  5. Seats16
  6. Forward collision avoidance11
  7. Vehicle speed control8
  8. Structure7
  9. Visibility/wiper7
  10. Wheels6
  11. Air bags5
  12. Fuel/propulsion system5
  13. Seat belts4
  14. Lane departure4

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
202110
202223
202331
202427
202526
202620

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

Service brakes

33 reports1 crash
“The rear brakes on my 2022 Nissan pathfinder are having unusual fast deterioration. I purchased the car at 13,000 miles and had to replace the rear brakes at 25,000 miles and now once again I am having to replace the rear brakes again at 52,000. This seems very odd since the front brakes have not needed replacement yet. I also have been advised to replace the rear calipers which are also very early for a car with 52,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2026Service brakesODI 11745568

Electrical system

20 reports1 fire
“Components Affected: STRUCTURE:SUNROOF | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | VISIBILITY/WIPER Description of Safety Hazard: My 2022 Nissan Pathfinder suffers from a severe, chronic manufacturing defect causing substantial water intrusion into the vehicle's cabin through the sunroof assembly during rainfall. To date, the manufacturer’s authorized dealership network has attempted to repair this exact leak three separate times and has failed to cure the defect. This unfixable water leak creates two distinct, critical safety hazards: 1. Electrical Failure/Fire Risk: Water actively flows into the headliner, pooling behind the dashboard and running down the A-pillars. This directly exposes critical safety electronics—including the side-curtain airbags, rearview mirror sensors, forward-collision camera arrays, and steering column electrical modules—to active moisture. This creates a severe risk of sudden, catastrophic electrical short-circuits, unintended airbag deployment, or sudden loss of safety assist systems while operating the vehicle at highway speeds. The vehicle is currently leaking for a fourth time. Because the manufacturer's certified network is entirely incapable of…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11744421

Engine

18 reports1 fire
“⸻ My 2022 Nissan Pathfinder experienced a catastrophic engine failure at approximately 70,000 miles. The vehicle suddenly developed severe engine knocking and required a complete engine replacement. There were no engine warning lights or oil pressure warning lights prior to the failure. The vehicle had been maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals, including oil changes using full synthetic oil. The Nissan maintenance system indicates oil changes at approximately 10,000 mile intervals. Because there were no warning indicators prior to the failure, the issue occurred without any notice to the driver. A sudden engine failure without warning could present a potential safety risk if it occurred while driving in traffic or at highway speeds. The repair required a full engine replacement at a cost exceeding 8,000. The vehicle was just slightly outside the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty at the time of failure. Given the relatively low mileage and lack of warning indicators before the engine failure, I am submitting this complaint so the issue can be documented and evaluated for potential safety concerns or patterns of engine failure…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2026EngineODI 11724324

Power train

17 reports1 crash
“While driving at normal speed, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted itself into neutral twice without any driver input. During both incidents, the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion in traffic, creating a safety risk for the occupants and surrounding vehicles. Prior to and after these events, the vehicle displayed a “SERVICE A/T” message and a check engine warning light. The vehicle has been inspected by a dealership. They identified an engine-related concern (including a failed mass air flow sensor) and an electrical concern requiring attention. However, the dealership reported that they were unable to duplicate or diagnose the unintended shift into neutral, and the cause of the neutral engagement remains unknown. This issue has occurred more than once shortly after purchase of the vehicle. The warning lights and messages have been reproduced by the dealer, but the loss-of-drive event has not. The unresolved transmission or powertrain malfunction poses an ongoing safety concern.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11701514

Seats

16 reports3 related recalls
“The front passenger seat in my 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is too low making the seat uncomfortable to sit in. Nissan told me to call the safety board to start a recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2024SeatsODI 11628615

Forward collision avoidance

11 reports2 crashes
“Front collision sensor has failed, on a vehicle that had 40,000 miles. This keeps the adaptive cruise being able to be used as well as automatic emergency braking.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11727956
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.