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2017 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Nissan Pathfinder carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Engine failure linked to oil sludge and timing chain.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Campaign #18V601000 · Jul 9, 2018

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (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 inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Campaign #19V807000 · Aug 11, 2019

Issue: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder.

Reported to NHTSA

Engine failure linked to oil sludge and timing chain

ENGINE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2026-08

“Timing chain failure at 88,000 miles on well maintained vehicle. Could cause catastrophic engine failure. No leading indicator”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689046
“According to the dealership the engine has sludge and unrepairable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11532455
“SLUDGE IN ENGINE- UNDER 100,000 MILES We had been keeping up with all recommended services, and it is cosmetically perfect, but the car is now a total loss. A Check Engine light came on, and we began to notice a tremor/shake and took it to Southern Team Nissan”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11756766

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS actuator and brake fluid leak

SERVICE BRAKES

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2023-10

“ABS pump "blew" lost compression and leaked all the brake fluid down the engine and all over the control arm. Brake pedal needed to go all the way to the floor to barely use the brakes. EBRAKE light stayed on even when not in use”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11549052
“I REPORTED THE BRAKES BEING NON RESPONSIVE ON 10/23/17 WHICH HAD ALSO CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT AS THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BRIDGE IN WINSTON SALAM NC IN FRONT OF THE BAPTIST HOSPITAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11156120
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V807000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11311117

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Backup camera and infotainment display malfunction

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

10 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2025-01

“BACKUP CAMERA REMAINS ON WHEN CAR IS PUT IN DRIVE. CAMERA WILL REMAIN ON UNTIL CAR IS SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE - CAN BE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, MAYBE ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS, BUT HAS HAPPENED FOR THE ENTIRE 11 MONTHS WE HAVE HAD THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11047325
“BACK UP CAMERA FAILS TO DISPLAY ON SCREEN - ALSO AFFECTS AIR CONDITIONING AND RADIO. WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE SCREEN REMAINS BLANK, IT DOES NOT TURN ON AT ALL - 50% OF THE TIME THE CAMERA WORKS, AND 50% OF THE TIME THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11259131
“The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the instrument panel and the infotainment system were inoperable, and the screen was black”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11634532

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver-side mirror obstructing forward view

VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-04 → 2021-03

“THE DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS ARE EXTREMELY HIGH ON THE FRAME TO SAFELY SEE WHEN TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION. IT BLOCKS THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER GREATLY. I CONSIDER THIS A HAZARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11182169
“I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2017 PATHFINDER. I HAVE OWNED NISSAN PRODUCTS FOR MANY MANY YEARS AND APPRECIATE THE QUALITY AND SAFETY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10981234
“WE'VE OWNED OUR 2017 PATHFINDER FOR 27 MONTHS, AND SINCE DAY 1 MY WIFE WHO IS UNDER 5' 1' HAS COMPLAINED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR IS BLOCKING HER VIEW WHEN TURNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11202796

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Radiator cooling fan bearing failure and noise

ENGINE

65 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2024-01

“The radiator fan is failing at 62k miles. Researching online it was found that this is a common occurrence for 2017 Nissan Pathfinders between 20k and 80k miles. Fan failure could lead to overheating and eventually fire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11458076
“46,000 MILES. COOLING FAN WOBBLING. FAN ALSO MAKING VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE FAN. SOUNDS LIKE BAD BEARING. NOISE IS PRESENT AT STARTUP, DRIVE, AND IDLE. DEALER SHOP SAID "WEAR AND TEAR."”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11384372
“COOLING FAN ON MOST NISSAN PATHFINDER SUV'S (MODELS 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) SEEMS TO BE GOING BAD AROUND 36,000 MILES. THERE HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS FROM OTHER PATHFINDER CUSTOMERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11296986

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission judder, slipping, and stalling

POWER TRAIN

29 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2026-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11121811
“THE CVT TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURE 6 TIMES. THEY SAY IF IT DOESN'T SHOW A CODE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096894
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. Due to the failure, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle at a low rate of speed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11509578

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and occupant sensor fault

AIR BAGS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2025-06

“Airbag light blinks all the time. DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT). I can't reset it even I tried everything using "diagnostic mode" with ignition on/off process or OBD II tool”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11564914
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AT 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS DRIVING RECKLESS AND DROVE PAST A LEFT TURN STOP LIGHT CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11228939
“MY 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS A FAULTY OCCUPANCY SENSOR AND PER NISSAN MY 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE MASSIVE OCCUPANCY SENSOR RECALL INCLUDING OVER 3,000,000,000 NISSANS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11088993

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

25 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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