Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 23 | 21% | 43,000 miles |
| 2022 | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 8% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% | 28,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 11 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2014 | 15 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2013 | 26 | 3% | 6,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% | 52,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 8% | 113,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2008 | 81 | 25% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 119 | 21% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 231 | 28% | 68,000 miles |
| 2005 | 276 | 26% | 65,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% | 134,000 miles |
| 2003 | 19 | 17% | 133,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% | 150,000 miles |
| 2001 | 28 | 12% | 105,000 miles |
| 2000 | 10 | 9% | 101,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% | 123,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 8% | 154,000 miles |
| 1997 | 10 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% | 101,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
serious incident that happened. While we were driving heading uphill to the beach, the check engine light and multiple warnings suddenly appeared. It said 'transmission error' and 'engine power reduced,' and the car just shut down with the kids inside. We were at risk of the car rolling backwards. I really think this is a major safety issue tied to the vehicle's design or manufacturing. Second incident was also driving on the road and suddenly all the lights appeared again and the engine shut off on its own leaving me and the kids stuck on road. I wasn't able to switch it to N to at least try to push it out the way! I was stuck in traffic and had to call road assistance to get the car towed home! At this point I'm scared to drive anywhere especially with my kids inside.
VIN [redacted] Date of Incident: December 21, 2025 Location: I-295 South, merging onto I-95 South, Jacksonville, FL Vehicle: 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, VIN [redacted] Owner: [redacted] Witness: [redacted] Phone Number: [redacted] Email Address: [redacted] Incident Description: While driving on I-295 South, merging onto I-95 South at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The gas pedal became completely stuck to the floor, and I had to keep my foot on the brakes to try to slow the vehicle. Every time I lifted my foot off the brakes, the car would accelerate again. I had to gently pat the brakes repeatedly to slow the vehicle. Once I was finally able to slow the vehicle and bring it to a stop while keeping my foot on the brakes, I tried to shift the car into Park, but it would not go into Park and the gas pedal remained stuck to the floor. …
Purchased new 1/15/2025. First issue with this car happened Oct 2025 with something electrical drawing power. This caused AT codes, auto start/stop codes, front and rear collision codes etc. Took it in they charged the battery and told be they didnt know what was causing the draw. Replaced the battery 10/11/2025. 11/19/2025 had another catastrophic electrical failure at 19,426 miles on OD. Vehicle threw all of the codes. Nissan kept the vehicle and charged and cleared codes. 12/18/2025 vehicle started hesitating and threw codes again. Nissan replaced the fuel pump. Front and rear collision malfuctions remained frequent along with infotainment reboots. Oct 1 2026 vehicle threw all codes again while driving causing loss of power and drivability. Had to be towed in. Vehicle acted the same way as previous. …
4 separate times now when driving the vehicle the vehicle has sputtered and died. The first time we were on a road driving at around 40mph and were able to coast into a parking lot. After a few minutes the vehicle restarted a we took it to the dealer the next day. The first 2 occurrences were in January of 2024. The 3rd occurrence was on April 23,2024. At around 9:30 PM, I was on my way home from the store and driving at 55mph when the vehicle suddenly died and was coasting. I was able to coast into an empty school parking lot. The Pathfinder would not restart and had to be towed to the dealership. They replaced the fuel pump and we picked it up on April 29th. The 4th time happened on May 20, 2024. We had just dropped our dogs off at the groomer and as we were leaving their parking lot, the engine suddenly died and would not restart. …
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N). The check engine, seat belt, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle briefly experienced unintended acceleration without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The transmission failed to shift to drive(D) and remained stuck in neutral(N). The contact drove the vehicle at reduced speeds to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the mass air flow (MAF) sensor had failed and there was carbon buildup in the throttle body. The contact was informed that MAF sensor and throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was being State Inspected, the contact was informed that the vehicle had failed the inspection. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer tested the vehicle, and the vehicle failed the State Inspection a second time. No cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the paperwork showed DTC: P1145 (Failure with the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,900.
First incident is dangerous. I have already had 3 incidences with this one. It has to do with the 'automatic shut off system' when you come to a stop light/sign or other reason the car shuts down when you pause driving. Traffic was heavy and it was necessary to pull out quickly on all occasions. The vehicle has such a pause that when it did start to go I had to slam on my brakes to stop so I wouldn't get hit. Took me till the third time to correctly identify the problem. Even if I turn off the 'AUTO', it comes right back on when you turn the car off and back on. Second issue is just really irritating. I purchased the vehicle for the tow capabilities. When you are towing and put the vehicle in reverse, it goes nowhere until you go thru about a dozen screens to turn it off the ABS system. And it comes right back on when you turn the car off. …
Fuel door does not lock. It does not lock when the car is locked by security system, and it does not lock when car is in motion. Car does not have to be turned off at gas station to unlock fuel door. There is no mechanism to keep the fuel door locked. There is no gas cap to cover nozzle entry point so at any point, gas tank can be tampered with. Fuel door pops open in car washes and water can enter the fuel tank. VERY UNSAFE.
Related recalls (2)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
On certain vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, tennessee, vermont, virginia, west virginia , wisconsin and the…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel filler tube assembly with a new one with an improved coating process. The recall began on November 26, 2007. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (276), 2006 (231), 2007 (119), 2008 (81) and 2001 (28) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Nissan Pathfinder fuel system problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 10V-075 (auxillary tank, Mar 3, 2010); 07V-435 (filler pipe and cap, Sep 18, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Pathfinder fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the storage › auxillary tank (61 mentions), followed by the storage › fuel gauge system (31).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.