DecodedCars2016 Nissan Pathfinder
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- FWD 4dr SUV, Platinum AWD 4dr SUV, S/Sv/Sl AWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 197.2 in
- Curb weight
- 4,275–4,672 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,275 lb (FWD 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 7% worse than the 2016 small SUV average of 24.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2016
- No hybrid version any more
- Engine dropped: 2.5L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 26 to 23
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Pathfinder →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FWD 4dr SUV | 197.2 in | 77.2 in | 69.7 in | 114.2 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,275 lb | 54/46 |
| Platinum AWD 4dr SUV | 197.2 in | 77.2 in | 69.7 in | 114.2 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,672 lb | 54/46 |
| S/Sv/Sl AWD 4dr SUV | 197.2 in | 77.2 in | 69.7 in | 114.2 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,420 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -7% | $2,900 | 390 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -4% | $3,050 | 412 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -9% | $3,200 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder.
Similar 2016 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Pathfinder (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2016 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2016 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2016 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2016 GMC Yukon | 19 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
Recalls (2)
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · Jun 13, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V420000 · 322,671 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Pathfinder vehicles. On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.
- Risk
- An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 26, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are R22A2 R22A3 and R24B7.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Not every 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Nissan Pathfinder buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 27 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 19 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Service Brakes — 11 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 48,800 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Pathfinder years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 15 |
| 2025 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 56 |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 86 |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 107 |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 136 |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 48 |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 78 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 188 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 321 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 12 | 531 |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 22 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 11 | 546 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →