Is the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 84, 8.4× a quiet Pathfinder year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 38k–53k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Pathfinder owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 45,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 84 (45%) | 38k–53k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 34 (18%) | 26k–63k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 27 (14%) | 29k–59k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 11 (6%) | 15k–52k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 45,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 188 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
8 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
For the second time while driving my pathfinder my car simply shuts itself off. It won't move at all. This has happened once going up a hill in december of 2017, and yesterday whole on a busy road.
Radiator fan overheats and rattles while driving and stationary when A/C is on and when A/C turns off. On city streets and highways.
The engine cooling fan clutch assembly failed at 47,822 and it sounded like rapid fire going off in the front grill.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 45,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder: 2
These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board. A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board. A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 91
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
DTC P17F0 or P17F1 stored in the TCM
Fluid leak caused by transfer assembly right side drive shaft oil seal
Clicking noise from front or rear axle during take-off/acceleration
Neighbouring years
2016 Pathfinder: 105 complaints, keep it · 2018 Pathfinder: 78 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Pathfinder year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Pathfinder years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 84, 8.4× a quiet Pathfinder year. At 45,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 38k–53k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (84), transmission and drivetrain (34), electrical system (27), brakes (11), fuel system (9). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 38k–53k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 19V-807), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-601). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.