NHTSA has received 77 owner complaints about the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, or 8.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.21, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #14 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 69% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 83% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-02-26 and 2026-08-07. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.
77Complaints
8.9Complaints per year on the road
0.21Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls · ⚠ 2
3.9%Share involving a crash or fire
8Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 9.8 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 30 complaints, 66% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (26.0% of complaints), followed by Brakes (19.5%) and Engine (16.9%). Electrical complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “front radar”, “obstruction”, “camera”, “display” and “screen”. 3 reports (3.9%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 30 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (36% of incidents). 8 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year, 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 46% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.21
vs. other Nissan models0.31
vs. other 2018 models0.18
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.17
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (30)0.34
As we were driving on the highway about 70 miles per hour, no traffic relatively, the vehicle started to violently shake and then we heard a loud explosion in the front end, prompting the front drive and passenger airbags to deploy, as well as the full right…
Transmission / powertrain · 2023-03-06 · ODI 11510500
The 4x4 never stays engaged. We live in an area where it snows A LOT and depend on the 4x4 for winter driving. We purchased the vehicle brand new and it had this issue.
Transmission / powertrain · 2022-07-07 · ODI 11472750 · Crash
The vehicle veers towards the right, even though a wheel alignment was completed on 7/1/26. On 7/28/26 when driving the vehicle, it wouldn’t accelerate properly, it felt sluggish and although the gas pedal was depressed it was struggling to pick up speed.
Engine · 2026-08-07 · ODI 11755553
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera screen display malfunctioned, and there was a black image displayed, creating a hazard for the driver.
Electrical · 2026-03-31 · ODI 11728330
Infotainment system stopped working. Now radio, no climate control visible and NO backup camera most of the time. Very dangerous without the backup camera
Electrical · 2026-03-14 · ODI 11724368
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Campaign 19V807000 · 2019-11-08
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 19V654000 · 2019-09-12
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Campaign 18V601000 · 2018-09-07
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: 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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?
77 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, or about 8.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 26.0% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder still generating complaints?
8 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 77 owner complaints about the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, or 8.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.21, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #14 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 69% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 83% lower.