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The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder continues to be one of the automaker’s most popular SUV models. It’s designed to bring “adventure, advanced,” but customers have been uneasy about the mechanics. This particular model seems to struggle with the service brakes and electrical system.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2019 2022
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Power Train | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Exterior Lighting |
Problems with the Service Brakes
One of the most basic systems of any vehicle is the brakes. However, as technology becomes more advanced, there is a lot more that can go wrong – especially when trying to stop.
Just look at this NHTSA review. “When I was driving in a parking lot I heard a very high pitch noise. I put my window down to hear what it was. The sound was very concerning especially because I have less than 3k miles on my car. I took it to the dealership they said they weren’t sure why it was making the noise…(it stopped about a mile away from the dealership) but they said my car was leaking brake fluid. I would of never known my car was having these issues if I didn’t hear that noise. I haven’t had the car even for 3 months yet and it already having problems.”
It’s a good thing that this driver discovered the problem before the brakes on this Pathfinder went out. Especially since the Nissan Pathfinder has trouble with the air bag system as well. Service Bulletin #NTB19-071 states that the Occupant Detection Sensor Unit might not be functioning the way it should. This sensor is responsible for turning on the air bag in the passenger seat when someone is sitting there. However, with this sensor malfunctioning, lots of passengers in the Nissan Pathfinder are left unprotected without a functioning air bag. If the brakes would have gone out on this driver and the air bag failed, it could have caused a disaster. That’s quite the “adventure” that no one wants to deal with in a Nissan Pathfinder.
Problems with the Electrical System
In today’s modern vehicles, the electrical system is responsible for running just about everything. When something fails, it can cause a minor disturbance to a complex safety issue.
Here is one Edmunds review discussing some minor concerns. “My one gripe with my Nissan Pathfinder is not including Google Play or Apple Play options, given that these are relatively old technology that many other brands include in their models. It’s almost like Nissan wants to force you to use their map option, which is OK at best.”
While this review is mainly focused on the technology of the infotainment system, there are other larger concerns. Take for example, Service Bulletin #NTB20-050 that states the power back door can stop working. It can both stop opening and closing when using the Intelligent Key or the back door request switch. While the Nissan Pathfinder is marketed as being “advanced,” these basic functions go overlooked. From stopping in traffic to opening the tailgate, this Nissan Pathfinder is useless when it comes to do everyday functions. Maybe Nissan Pathfinder owners will start embarking on a new “adventure;” one that requires switching automakers with their next purchase.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Nissan pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Mar 02, 2023 |
| State | AR |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The contact stated that after several minutes, the vehicle operated as designed. While approaching a stop sign, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal desperately to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that no failure was found. The dealer also stated that the manufacturer was aware of the rough transmission shifting, but no recall had been issued for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000. |
| Category | Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking, Back Over Prevention: Warnings, Electrical System |
| Date | Jan 29, 2023 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | Back up camera issues hardly works |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 04, 2023 |
| State | TX |
| Description | My backup camera continues to glitch/black screen in the middle of me reversing or as soon as I place my vehicle in reverse. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Dec 21, 2022 |
| State | MT |
| Description | Defroster does not work properly. Will allow my vehicle to warm up for 15 to 20 minutes to allow proper heating as this has been an on going issue. While driving in colder temperatures the front windshield will freeze over a on the inside of the vehicle only effecting the drivers side. There will be a distinct line up the middle of the windshield where the drivers side is frosted over and the passenger side is clear. We have taken to a local nissan dealer where they state everything works as it should and that even the owners brand new nissan pick up also does this. This is a major safety concern!!! We are forced to continue to drive as once you pull over you will loose all heat causing the entire windshield to freeze over. This has been happening since we purchased the vehicle dec 2021 |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Nov 19, 2022 |
| State | MA |
| Description | No defroster and no heat. Can't defrost or de-fog windows. Fan doesn't turn on failing to defrost windows. No heat, no air conditioning, no air movement. Powering off and on the pathfinder didn't solve it, turning on and off heat, defrost doesn't work. All fuses are ok. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Nov 13, 2022 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | I was driving at highway speed and heard a loud bang. Sounded like an explosion. I quickly moved to the slow lane and noticed my sunroof had exploded outward with pieces of glass on me when it shattered. |
| Category | Electrical System, Exterior Lighting |
| Date | Aug 29, 2022 |
| State | MN |
| Description | Moisture ingression into the passenger side front lighting assembly (head light). Visable water droplets and some accumulartion . 1st indication was an errror message along with reduced visibility. 2nd indication was failue of that headlight. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Aug 17, 2022 |
| State | GA |
| Description | Engine failure while driving. Abnormal engine oil consumption. Oil level dropped without warning and without any warning lights from the vehicle. The vehicle oil level as checked 1 day prior to failure. |
| Category | Engine, Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Jul 27, 2022 |
| State | MA |
| Description | Engine pinging/knocking and engine hesitation / surging most obvious in second gear steady throttle around 2k rpm. Doesn't matter what gas is used. Engine hesitation and pinging/knocking is getting worse. Nissan states its normal operation. |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System, Service Brakes |
| Date | Jul 27, 2022 |
| State | MA |
| Description | When braking anywhere from 50 mph to 25mph rpms increase whe braking, engine and transmission still pushing vehicle until torque converter disengages at 20mph. If you need to slow down quickly it requires extra braking force until the car reaches 20mph.. If you put the car in neutral it will slow down much faster because transmission and engine aren't still pushing the truck. This hot much worse after nissan changed the transmission program a few months ago. |
| Category | Back Over Prevention: Camera System, Back Over Prevention: Warnings, Electrical System |
| Date | Jan 04, 2022 |
| State | OR |
| Description | We rented this vehicle from budget for about two weeks. On two separate occasions the backup camera went blank and the rear parking sensors quit working. I stopped the vehicle and shifted from reverse to drive and back but the rear view camera and sensors did not come back on. After I shutdown and restarted the vehicle, they started working again. We turned the vehicle in on 1/3/2021 and mentioned the issue to the lot attendant. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Mar 12, 2021 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2020 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to courtesy nissan (1777 n central expy, richardson, tx 75080, (972) 231-2600) and was informed that the oxygen sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,700.*dt |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Dec 26, 2020 |
| State | VA |
| Description | When driving or idling you get a smell of antifreeze inside the drivers compartment. Dealer said the only way to fix was to get the heating and cooling system on recirculating and not fresh air. This is constant problem no matter the twhat the temp at urge isoutside. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Oct 04, 2020 |
| State | AK |
| Description | Periodically the back up camera shorts out and you are no longer able to use it. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Sep 28, 2020 |
| State | GA |
| Description | While driving on august 30 approximately 7:45on my vehicle's brakes applied by itself without me applying the brakes. At the time I was only you 20 mph. I notified nissan,and I'm still waiting for them to get back to me about this safety issue. The vehicle is only 6 weeks old. My vehicle is a 2020 nissan pathfinder. I need help. Thanks. I was driving on a local street. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jun 03, 2020 |
| State | FL |
| Description | When I was driving in a parking lot I heard a very high pitch noise. I put my window down to hear what it was. The sound was very concerning especially because I have less than 3k miles on my car. I took it to the dealership they said they weren't sure why it was making the noise... (it stopped about a mile away from the dealership) but they said my car was leaking brake fluid. I would of never known my car was having these issues if I didn't heard that noise. I haven't had the car even for 3 months yet & it already having problems. *tr |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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