AI Damage2020 Nissan Pathfinder: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder filed 53 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 95 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 53
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 95
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 17 complaints (32% of all).
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 44.
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Forward collision avoidance: 4 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- CVTnamed in 2 complaints
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 53 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 44 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 25 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The car stalled three times and died in active traffic. The breakdown was so hazardous that the police department had to intervene and push the car out of the road and had to tow the car more than 3 times and was at the Nissan Dealership for over one week.
Then the screen for backing up started going on and off. Then I started feeling like the car was loosing power. In the last 2 years the power cutting off has occurred 3 more times and the rear screen camera has started glitching more where it goes out when switching in reverse.
The vehicle has developed a persistent and progressively worsening rattling noise from the engine during cold starts, along with intermittent rough operation. The symptoms are consistent with a malfunction or defect in the engine timing chain system, including possible timing chain stretch, timing chain tensioner…
The back-up camera and display settings image is no longer visible and the dashboard indicates that it is off. The camera is black and does not display anything nor does it provides information that you are backing up. The safety of drivers and others are at risk.
Airbag needs replacing at 60,000 mile due to TSB# NTB19-07-1D
Vehicle Details: • Year/Make/Model: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder • Mileage at failure: ~55,000 • No warning lights, no stored codes • Emissions monitor would not complete • Dealer confirmed sensor failure and replaced part Safety Concern: A failed emissions component
Hood Latch failed. Once opened, it would not re-secure. Vehicle had ~ 67,000 miles at occurrence. Problem was confirmed by dealer service. There were no warning features. Latch needed replacement due to 'damage' even though the was no accident or other reason for it to be 'damaged'.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the ABS, traction control, and the Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle, and the warning lights were off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 847 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 40% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Pathfinder has 81 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 53, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label =…
- TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT
This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 4G network compatible TCU. TCUs compatible with 3G network only are no longer supported. SERVICE INFORMATION The APPLIED VEHICLES that come equipped with a factory…
- INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED…
INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED WITH DTC C1A16 OR C2582 IF YOU CONFIRM IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (on the next page) is to give you a…
- DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed…
- INTELLIGENT KEY INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE STOPS OR WILL NOT CONTINUE This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED IN THE TCM This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NHTSA lists 95 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 53. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%), knocking, grinding or other noise (13%), rear-view camera (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA lists 95 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.