2016 Nissan PATHFINDER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Nissan PATHFINDER has 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 121. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: the radiator fan and shroud assembly and i cannot find replacement parts at any dealer, auto parts store nor junk yard due to so many people needing these parts replaced. i was told they are on backorder and dont know when they will have replacement parts. i was told by a certified mechanic that the. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
128
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
28 complaints- • THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD ASSEMBLY AND I CANNOT FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS AT ANY DEALER, AUTO PARTS STORE NOR JUNK YARD DUE TO SO MANY PEOPLE NEEDING THESE PARTS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON BACKORDER AND DONT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE
- • I DROVE UP TO 16,000 MILES AND THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY MADE A WEIRD SOUND. I WENT TO 2 NISSAN DEALERSHIPS TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR 2016 PATHFINDER.BUT WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES IT WILL CAUSE A HUMMING NOISE LIKE A BEE AND ITS REALLY ANNOYING, I WENT TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT SAID IT
- • RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS INDICATED BY SEVERAL PATHFINDER OWNERS FROM 2014 UP TO THE PRESENT.
“THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD ASSEMBLY AND I CANNOT FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS AT ANY DEALER, AUTO PARTS STORE NOR JUNK YARD DUE TO SO MANY PEOPLE NEEDING THESE PARTS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON BACKORDER AND DONT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Nissan PATHFINDER
Based on 75 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 49K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
OTHER
BRAKES
AIR BAGS
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (2)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. 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. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Nissan PATHFINDER
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Nissan PATHFINDER
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Nissan PATHFINDER Service Intervals
CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2016 PATHFINDER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 128 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD ASSEMBLY AND I CANNOT FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS AT ANY DEALER, AUTO PARTS STORE NOR JUNK YARD DUE TO SO MANY PEOPLE NEEDING THESE PARTS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON BACKORDER AND DONT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THIS CAR SEAT HAS A GAP FOR A SEAT BELT (WHEN THE SEAT IS CHANGED TO A BOOSTER), BETWEEN THE BACK AND BOTTOM. THE GAP IS ON BOTH SIDES. MY CHILD HAS GOTTEN HER LEG STUCK IN THE GAP MANY MANY TIMES. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE HER LEG IS STUCK, I CANNOT IMAGINE THE DAMAGE THAT WOULD BE DONE TO HER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V681000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS THE ABOVE ISSUE WAS ALSO SEEN ON MY 2016 PATHFINDER SL TECH PURCHASED LESS THAN 1 MONTH AGO. THE ISSUE HAPPENS ABOUT 10% OF THE TIME. TO RESOLVE I HAVE TO POWER CYCLE THE CAR...
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING OUR 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER VEHICLE, WE FELT A SUDDEN VIBRATION AND THEN THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL (TIRE AND RIM) FELL OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE CAME DOWN ON WHAT REMAINED OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD UNTIL WE HAD ENOUGH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Nissan PATHFINDER — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 128
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 121
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Nissan PATHFINDER