2017 Nissan Pathfinder
Gas Compact SUV
The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Pathfinder 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 186 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD | Gas | FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | Gas | 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
Compare coverage →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Data on this page is never influenced by that.
Recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
criticalProblem: 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.
Fix: 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 Brakes, Hydraulic
criticalProblem: 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.
Fix: 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
Owner complaints
186 complaints filed
8 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2017: 8 · 2018: 20 · 2019: 38 · 2020: 39 · 2021: 22 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 16 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 5
Most-cited components
- Engine — 83
- Unknown Or Other — 41
- Power Train — 34
- Electrical System — 27
- Service Brakes — 11
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 17% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other Pathfinder model years
2026 Pathfinder
0 recalls · 9 complaints
A2025 Pathfinder
1 recalls · 49 complaints
B2024 Pathfinder
2 recalls · 75 complaints
A2023 Pathfinder
1 recalls · 103 complaints
D2022 Pathfinder
5 recalls · 135 complaints
A2020 Pathfinder
0 recalls · 47 complaints
B2019 Pathfinder
2 recalls · 75 complaints
D2018 Pathfinder
3 recalls · 77 complaints
B2016 Pathfinder
2 recalls · 107 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 38163, 38165, 38166). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.