NHTSA has received 75 owner complaints about the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, or 9.8 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.23, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #19 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 66% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 82% 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 2019-06-07 and 2026-08-16. Median delay from incident to filing: 6 days.
75Complaints
9.8Complaints per year on the road
0.23Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 1
6.7%Share involving a crash or fire
10Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 8.9 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 7.8 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 12 complaints, 85% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (21.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (17.3%) and Brakes (12.0%). Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “sludge”, “regular”, “engine”, “leaking” and “oil”. 5 reports (6.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 46 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (40% of incidents). In the last 12 months 10 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 29% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.23
vs. other Nissan models0.34
vs. other 2019 models0.21
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.18
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (12)0.15
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH and attempting to come to a stop, the vehicle failed to decelerate sufficiently, resulting in a rear-end collision.
Brakes · 2026-02-05 · ODI 11715958 · Crash
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while in a parking lot and reversing with the accelerator pedal depressed, the contact crashed into a vehicle.
Other · 2022-06-13 · ODI 11469040 · Crash
There was built up sludge in my engine that caused it to fail, and I was charged to replace it
Engine · 2026-08-16 · ODI 11757320
Driving at 75 miles per hour on highway. We Heard an explosion, and airbags deployed. There was no collision or front end hit, there was no warning lights or sounds, no deceleration.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-23 · ODI 11752442
The car broke on the highway (possibly drive train? Waiting for mechanic). Despite no impact, the steering wheel airbag deployed.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-04-23 · ODI 11733471
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder?
75 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, or about 9.8 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 21.3% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 10 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
How does the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 75 owner complaints about the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, or 9.8 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.23, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #19 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 66% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 82% lower.