Which Years Of Used Nissan Pathfinders Are Most Reliable?
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Nowadays, there’s no shortage of three-row SUVs that consumers can choose from, as it’s a highly popular market segment. One of the most popular midsize, three-row models that popularized the recreational SUV segment is the Nissan Pathfinder. The first Pathfinder models gave owners the hard-body styling and off-road chops of pickup trucks and the passenger space of a station wagon. Today, the Nissan Pathfinder remains a popular family SUV.
If you’re looking for a family hauler with a reputation for comfort and fun, the Nissan Pathfinder SUV is a solid option. However, you must make sure you’re choosing a reliable model year. Regrettably, not all Nissan Pathfinder years are reliable.
For today’s post, we walk you through the recent generations of this three-row SUV and determine which is the most reliable year of the Nissan Pathfinder and which model years are worth skipping. Let’s take a look.
THE NISSAN PATHFINDER YEARS TO AVOID
As with most Nissan vehicles, the Pathfinder is a pretty dependable SUV to shop for new or used, but anything that has been around for 30+ years will have some years with its share of problems. Here are the Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid.
1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
This is the second generation of the Nissan Pathfinder, which is an excellent place to find a used model of this vehicle. This was the first generation to utilize the unibody platform with improved ride quality and handling. Overall, this generation of Pathfinder offers strong reliability across the board.
Buy: 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
If you’re looking for an older Pathfinder with solid reliability and longevity, the 2000 model year is your best bet. One of the best qualities of the 2000 Pathfinder is its longevity. According to numerous owners, the 2000 Pathfinder had no trouble putting 180k-200k miles on the odometer. Granted, many Pathfinder owners had to replace or update some parts for a reliable SUV. Since it’s a two-decade-old vehicle, one trouble spot you should keep an eye on is the rusting on the strut tower. If you can find one with good mileage and condition, it’s a great bang for your buck.
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Buy: 2003-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
When looking at the second-generation Pathfinder, the last two model years are your top options regarding reliability. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 Pathfinder has only racked up 150+ NHTSA complaints and seven recalls and was awarded the “Awesome” seal by the website. There are a few complaints about sludge accumulation in the engine, but this issue is far from prevalent.
On the other hand, the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder has even fewer complaints at 90+ and seven recalls. Like the 2003 Pathfinder, the 2004 model had earned the “Awesome” badge from CarComplaints. As for its top issues, the 2004 Pathfinder had received reports of excessive oil consumption, but there were only two written reviews of this problem. Overall, this model deserves to be called the most reliable year of Nissan Pathfinder.
2005-2012 Nissan Pathfinder
With the third generation, Nissan returned to the body-on-frame construction, and styling returned to the blocky profile similar to the first generation, probably in an effort to compete with the Toyota 4Runner. Unfortunately, this generation has some of the most unreliable Pathfinder.
Avoid: 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
The third-gen Pathfinder debuted with the problematic 2005 model year. CarComplaints says the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is the worst model year for this three-row SUV. With a whopping 400+ written complaints, the Pathfinder struggled with the coolant leaking into the transmission, eventually leading to transmission failure. This problem occurred at about 90,000 miles; repair costs typically cost $3,500. Moreover, the 2005 Pathfinder also dealt with various transmission issues, and many required replacing the radiator and transmission. Even at a reasonable price and condition, the 2005 Pathfinder is not worth it.
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Avoid: 2006-2007 Nissan Pathfinder
We also recommend skipping the 2006 and 2007 Pathfinder years because they inherited the dreaded coolant leak and transmission issues. As per CarComplaints, the 2006 Nissan Pathfinder has over 1,000 complaints, five recalls, and received the “Avoid Like the Plague” badge. In addition, it received 200+ written complaints from fed-up owners detailing their experiences with the coolant leak issue.
Meanwhile, the 2007 Pathfinder also grappled with the same coolant leak problem that may eventually lead to transmission failure. It also had over 1,000 complaints, two recalls, and a recipient of the “Avoid Like the Plague” award from CarComplaints. If you’re on the hunt for the most reliable year of Nissan Pathfinder, these two years are Pathfinders to avoid.
Buy: 2011-2012 Nissan Pathfinder
Thankfully, the third-gen Pathfinder closed out with fairly reliable models in the 2011 and 2012 years. The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder only has 60+ complaints, and two recalls as of this writing, with an “Awesome” seal of approval from CarComplaints. It did receive a few reports about the coolant leaking into the transmission, but it’s evident that Nissan has successfully stamped out this issue with this model.
The 2012 Nissan Pathfinder is another solid pick in reliability, with only 40+ complaints, two recalls, and an “Awesome” badge. Most importantly, this model doesn’t have the coolant leak issue, so it’s an excellent option for buying a used SUV.
2013-2020 Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan went with the crossover route for the Pathfinder in its fourth generation. Many models from this lineup had questionable reliability.
Avoid: 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder
Both the 2013 and 2014 models are hard to recommend due to their problematic transmission systems. The 2013 received a growing number of complaints regarding its transmission at low mileage. According to several reports, the transmission would violently shake during acceleration between 15 to 30 mph. Meanwhile, the 2014 model year shared the same transmission issue, with symptoms like excessive stuttering and slipping.
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Buy: 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder
If you’re searching for a newer Pathfinder with good reliability, these three model years are worth checking out. Apart from minor electrical issues, these Pathfinder models have no significant problems. They offer a great combination of performance, tech, and fuel economy, making them solid options for buyers looking for a family SUV. However, those who appreciate the boxy styling of the old Pathfinders may be turned off by this generation’s crossover styling.
Thankfully, the boxy profile finally returns with the Pathfinder’s 2022 model year, but with more car-like road manners. Overall, many used Pathfinders have questionable reliability, so looking for a Nissan Certified Pre-owned model is not a bad idea.
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