Makes›Nissan›Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder

21 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Nissan Pathfinder
Pictured: 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum 4WD in Baja Storm Metallic, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2026
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Latest engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Best MPG
17–26 combined, by year
Latest rating
★★★★★ (2025)
Recalls
35 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2013 (546)
Fewest problems
2020
Interest
15,472 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2026 Pathfinder in brief

The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is a standard SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,478 lb (S/Sv 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 27 highway), 6% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

The Nissan Pathfinder has 21 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD.

Its most efficient year was 2015 at 26 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 17 to 26 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the power train (1,047), engine (655), unknown or other (603).

Buying used? 2020 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.

2014 has the most recalls (12); all years together count 35 campaigns and 3,271 owner complaints.

How the 2005 Pathfinder compares

The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is a SUV - offered with a 4.0L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 188 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,782 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Se Off-Road).

About the Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a range of sport utility vehicles manufactured by Nissan since 1985. Until the third-generation model, the Pathfinder is based on Nissan's compact pickup truck platform which it shares with the Navara/Frontier.

From the Wikipedia article "Nissan Pathfinder", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2026 Pathfinder pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 83 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the Pathfinder with any other car →

Pathfinder changes by model year

  1. 2022
    • Lightest version 203 lb heavier
  2. 2018
    • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
  3. 2016
    • No hybrid version any more
    • Engine dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl
    • Best combined MPG down from 26 to 23
  4. 2014
    • New hybrid version
    • Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 26
  5. 2013
    • New body dimensions: 5.1 in longer, wheelbase +2.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
    • Engines dropped: 4.0L 6-cyl and 5.6L 8-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 17 to 22
  6. 2008
    • New body dimensions: 4.3 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engine added: 5.6L 8-cyl

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 21 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20263.5L 6-cyl23 MPG197.2 in4,478 lbNot rated015
20253.5L 6-cyl23 MPG197.2 in4,478 lb★★★★★156
20243.5L 6-cyl23 MPG197.2 in4,478 lb★★★★★286
20233.5L 6-cyl23 MPG197.2 in4,478 lb★★★★★1107
20223.5L 6-cyl23 MPG197.2 in4,478 lb★★★★★5136
20203.5L 6-cyl23 MPG198.4 in4,275 lb★★★★★048
20193.5L 6-cyl23 MPG198.4 in4,275 lb★★★★★276
20183.5L 6-cyl23 MPG198.4 in4,275 lb★★★★★378
20173.5L 6-cyl23 MPG198.4 in4,275 lbNot rated2188
20163.5L 6-cyl23 MPG197.2 in4,275 lbNot rated2107
20152.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl26 MPG197.2 in4,676 lbNot rated6321
20142.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl26 MPG197.2 in4,676 lbNot rated12531
20133.5L 6-cyl22 MPG197.2 in4,506 lbNot rated11546
20124.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl17 MPG192.1 in4,945 lbNot rated221
20114.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl17 MPG192.1 in4,945 lbNot rated229
20104.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl18 MPG192.1 in4,930 lbNot rated432
20094.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl18 MPG192.1 in5,099 lbNot rated225
20084.0L 6-cyl, 5.6L 8-cyl17 MPG192.1 in5,099 lbNot rated3216
20074.0L 6-cyl17 MPG187.8 in4,872 lbNot rated0226
20064.0L 6-cyl17 MPG187.8 in4,872 lbNot rated2237
20054.0L 6-cyl17 MPG187.8 in4,782 lbNot rated1190
Best combined MPG by model year — Nissan Pathfinder
2005: 17 MPG2006: 17 MPG2007: 17 MPG2008: 17 MPG2009: 18 MPG2010: 18 MPG2011: 17 MPG2012: 17 MPG2013: 22 MPG2014: 26 MPG2015: 26 MPG2016: 23 MPG2017: 23 MPG2018: 23 MPG2019: 23 MPG2020: 23 MPG2022: 23 MPG2023: 23 MPG2024: 23 MPG2025: 23 MPG2026: 23 MPG2005200820112014201720202024max 26 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 Pathfinder

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Toyota Land Cruiser23 MPGNot rated1
2026 Toyota 4Runner23 MPGNot rated2
2026 Ford Explorer24 MPGNot rated15
2026 Toyota Highlander35 MPGNot rated0
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee23 MPGNot rated6
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe36 MPGNot rated4

Most common owner-reported problems

Power Train1,047
Engine655
Unknown Or Other603
Air Bags362
Electrical System283
Service Brakes255
Fuel/Propulsion System159
Visibility/Wiper113
Owner complaints by model year — Nissan Pathfinder
2005: 1902006: 2372007: 2262008: 2162009: 252010: 322011: 292012: 212013: 5462014: 5312015: 3212016: 1072017: 1882018: 782019: 762020: 482022: 1362023: 1072024: 862025: 562026: 152005200820112014201720202024max 546
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →