TireKick

Verdict

2017 Nissan Pathfinder: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.

Owners filed 183 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 64% of 2017 SUVs. Engine leads the reports (29%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2017 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

183

Reports to NHTSA, 2017

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

22

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 64% of 2017 SUVs

The bar is this car's percentile among 2017 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Engine issues lead owner complaints (29% of 183 reports), followed by power train (18%).

Engine29% · 53 reports
Power Train18% · 33 reports
Unknown Or Other17% · 32 reports
Electrical System11% · 20 reports
Steering4% · 8 reports
Service Brakes4% · 7 reports
Air Bags3% · 6 reports
Exterior Lighting3% · 5 reports

+ 10 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 183 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11689452, ODI 11689046, ODI 11683007, ODI 11622859, ODI 11616631.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Service BrakesAug 2019 · 19V807000Details +

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.

Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Service BrakesJul 2018 · 18V601000Details +

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.

Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2017 Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2017 Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Pathfinder 2WD3.5L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive202723
Pathfinder 4WD3.5L 6-cyl4-Wheel Drive192622
Pathfinder 4WD Platinum3.5L 6-cyl4-Wheel Drive192621

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.

Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2017 Nissan Pathfinder: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?

Owners filed 183 NHTSA complaints about the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder — more complaints than 64% of comparable 2017 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?

The most-reported problem areas are Engine (29% of complaints) and power train (18%).

How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, covering components such as service brakes. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder between 21 and 23 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.