The Lemon Index2016 Nissan Pathfinder.
The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is better than average by owner complaints: 54 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 66, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 to 23 mpg combined. The best Nissan Pathfinder year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 105 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Pathfinder year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 63K miles on the car (64 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 43K–63K miles
Recalls 2
- latches/locks/linkages 2022
On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.
- airbags 2016
In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 202 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- "nissan; signal tech-ii intelligent key battery test and signal check this bulletin has been…
- "2016 murano, rogue and pathfinder; around view monitor mirror camera inoperative if you…
- NISSAN; OIL LEAKING AROUND VALVE TIMING CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE This bulletin applies only to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedHood latch/bell crank assembly2021–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Airbag lights started blinking , when calling the dealership my Nissan Pathfinder was not included in the recall. No accident on the car and the car was purchase new august 2016 .
2016 Nissan Pathfinder owner · NHTSA complaint 11194364
More owner reports
Radiator: nissian Pathfinder radiator fail after owning for less than 2 years. This is covered under extend warrantee. But base on the past radiator recall, the vechile raidator may not be up to specs.
NHTSA complaint 11174625
Heater/ac cooling fan crapped out at 45k. Bearings/bushings causing loud, crunching noises when heat or ac is on. The same thing happened to me on my 2013 Pathfinder.
NHTSA complaint 11291191
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 66; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Pathfinder year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2016 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (24%), airbags (19%) and electrical (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have?
2 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Pathfinder problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,200 and 63,500 miles. The middle report was at 48,900 miles, from 64 complaints.
Does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Pathfinder year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works