Is the 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER reliable?

The 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER has 121 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER?

Top problems: BRAKES (20 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (19 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (13 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER?

The 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER is approximately $1,758/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Nissan PATHFINDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER has 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 121. The most common issue is brakes problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: the forward collision braking system (used for automatic emergency braking) intermittently disables on it's own every time that i drive. this issue was reported to the dealership and nissan on 11/5/2018 however is pending a resolution. this issue has existed since i purchased the vehicle new on 10/2. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

5 crash reports 2 injuries

121

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

20 complaints

17%

• THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM (USED FOR AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING) INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES ON IT'S OWN EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN ON 11/5/2018 HOWEVER IS PENDING A RESOLUTION. THIS ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON 10/2
• FRONT RADAR MODULAR INTERMITTENTLY UNAVAILABLE. ARTICLE FOUND STATING NISSAN WAS WORKING ON A FIX, IS IT AVAILABLE YET? 2 DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND AN AGENT AT NISSAN USA KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL ON, SUDDENLY IT SHUTS OFF AND A MESSAGE ON S
• FAULTY RADAR ON MY NISSAN PATHFINDER IS COMPROMISING MY EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. IT FREQUENTLY DEACTIVATES ITSELF THEREBY DISABLING MY CRUISE CONTROL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. A WARNING FLASHES ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM: FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE. IN MY VIEW THE EMERGENCY BRAKI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM (USED FOR AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING) INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES ON IT'S OWN EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN ON 11/5/2018 HOWEVER IS PENDING A RESOLUTION. THIS ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON 10/2”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER

Based on 59 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (3)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP08/11/2019

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based 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 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Nissan PATHFINDER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,758

Full coverage / month

$147

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

+5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1758

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan PATHFINDER Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2018 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 121 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM (USED FOR AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING) INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES ON IT'S OWN EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN ON 11/5/2018 HOWEVER IS PENDING A RESOLUTION. THIS ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON 10/2
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM (USED FOR AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING) INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES ON IT'S OWN EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN ON 11/5/2018 HOWEVER IS PENDING A RESOLUTION. THIS ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON 10/2
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY HUSBAND ROGER AND I PURCHASED A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AT GRANITE NISSAN IN RAPID CITY, SD. WE DROVE TO DICKINSON, ND TO DROP OFF MY STEPSON TO SEE HIS MOTHER AS REQUIRED BY COURT ORDER EVERY MONTH. THE TRIP THERE HAS NO CELLULAR SERVICE AND TEMPERATURES THAT REACH SUBZERO. U
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TRUCK WILL NOT OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. OPENS 1 INCH B ACK AND FORTH ONCE PUSHED WILL DROP ONTO PERSON NO SENSOR . HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 5+ TIMES SENT VIDEOS NO ISSUE. RADIO RANDOMLY DELETES STATIONS AND BLACKS OUT WITH NAVIGATION. TRUNK ONGOING LAST HAPPENED END JUNE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)