Constant whine from under the vehicle while in park or idle. Even after having the rack replaced
2017 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 97.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
118 reports with mileage · 68 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
8 reportsWhile driving at a speed of 60mph on the highway my pathfinder lost all power and became had to control as my car came to a complete stop causing me to be stuck in between to merging highways with traffic on each side . I was given no warning this was about to happen and it could have cost me my life . My car had to be picked u…
Read full complaint
While driving at a speed of 60mph on the highway my pathfinder lost all power and became had to control as my car came to a complete stop causing me to be stuck in between to merging highways with traffic on each side . I was given no warning this was about to happen and it could have cost me my life . My car had to be picked up and towed I would assume it’s my transmission or my engine it is the 3rd. I could not accelerate or shift at all despite having NO warning lights on until I turned it off to save my battery and make my self able to keep my lights and flashers on without causing anymore damage to my car which has already had a complete engine ,diffrential, and transfcase, radiator, and tan blades replaced multiple times at just 2 years old but was out of mileage so Nissan wouldn’t honor them . Well I assumed with Nissans suite winces they know it’s their transmissions they would cover everyone’s since this is on going however they didn’t and only covered to mileage to my surprise .
When hitting any imperfections in the road, the Pathfinder will lose traction and steering. On the highway it is most dangerous, online it is called "the death sway" and is a known issue to consumers in the Pathfinder and Infiniti Qx80. Forums identify Bushing and bushing arms as the likely culprit. I have never been more afrai…
Read full complaint
When hitting any imperfections in the road, the Pathfinder will lose traction and steering. On the highway it is most dangerous, online it is called "the death sway" and is a known issue to consumers in the Pathfinder and Infiniti Qx80. Forums identify Bushing and bushing arms as the likely culprit. I have never been more afraid to drive a vehicle and have had others drive my vehicle to verify the issue is not caused by my driving. I contacted Nissan twice and they have informed me both times that there isn't anything they can do about it
The car veers to the right when my foot is removed from the acelerator or I press on the brake pedal when going at least 40 mph. The car veers to the left when I press on the accelerator to go faster than 40 mph.
Power steering fluid is leaking from my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. Currently, the fluid level is well below the minimum level marked on the fluid reservoir. The dipstick is dry. Concerned that this can lead to an accident if the power steering fails while I'm driving, not to mention the cost of repairing the issue. My car is 1 year…
Read full complaint
Power steering fluid is leaking from my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. Currently, the fluid level is well below the minimum level marked on the fluid reservoir. The dipstick is dry. Concerned that this can lead to an accident if the power steering fails while I'm driving, not to mention the cost of repairing the issue. My car is 1 year out of its factory warranty.
THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD BUZZING NOISE AFTER REACHING 59,000 MILES. THE BUZZING IS SO LOUD IT CAN BE HEARD INDOORS AND ALL AROUND THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTED THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED AND ADVISED TO CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS SIX DAYS LATER TO INFORM ME T…
Read full complaint
THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD BUZZING NOISE AFTER REACHING 59,000 MILES. THE BUZZING IS SO LOUD IT CAN BE HEARD INDOORS AND ALL AROUND THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP NOTED THE POWER STEERING PUMP SHOULD BE REPLACED AND ADVISED TO CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS SIX DAYS LATER TO INFORM ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE $3,000.00 ESTIMATE THAT THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED. NISSAN'S RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM WAS YOU ARE TO FAR OUT OF WARRANTY TO ASSIST YOU. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PUMP COULD CREATE A HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATION WHEN I AM TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY. THE SOUND GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER THE LONGER YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT SOUNDS LIKE AN BUZZING ALARM IS GOING OFF AND THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG.
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 47,822 AND IT SOUNDED LIKE RAPID FIRE GOING OFF IN THE FRONT GRILL. THE IPDM WAS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE ON 04_10_2019, WITH RIGHT AT 50,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AND WOULDN'T TURN OFF. CREST NISSAN IN FRISCO, TX PULLED BOTH BATTERY CABLES, AND THEN PULLED THE WIRING HARNES…
Read full complaint
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 47,822 AND IT SOUNDED LIKE RAPID FIRE GOING OFF IN THE FRONT GRILL. THE IPDM WAS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE ON 04_10_2019, WITH RIGHT AT 50,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AND WOULDN'T TURN OFF. CREST NISSAN IN FRISCO, TX PULLED BOTH BATTERY CABLES, AND THEN PULLED THE WIRING HARNESS OUT OF THE BACK OF THE IPDM MODULE. THEY REPLACED THE IPDM MODULE AT THIS TIME. AFTER THEY DID THIS IS WHEN THE FOLLOWING ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING. WE BACK OUT, TURN THE WHEELS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, AND THEN PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE TURNED THE WHEELS BACK TO A CENTER POSITION AND GO TO ACCELERATE TO MOVE FORWARD. THE ENGINE RPM DOESN'T INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THE TRUCK IS RUNNING, BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. AFTER 3-5 SECONDS, THE TRUCKS ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL ENGAGE AND THE TRUCK WILL PROCCED FORWARD. OVER 70% OF THE TIME, AFTER THIS OCCURS, THE TRUCK EXHIBITS A LOSS OF POWER AND A LOUD "ROAR" COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IF YOU PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, TURN THE TRUCK OFF, AND GO INSIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE TRUCK WILL START RIGHT UP AND THE LOUD "ROAR" IS NOW GONE. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU GO TO START THE VEHICLE (USING THE START/STOP BUTTON ON THE DASH) AND THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT TURNS HALF A ROTATION, AND THEN STOPS. APPROXIMATELY 1 - 1.5 SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO TURN OVER AND THE TRUCK WILL START. THE TECHNICIANS AT CREST NISSAN ORIGINALLY TOLD US THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE ISSUE AND THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICKUP ON 07/11. MY WIFE AND I WENT TO THE DEALER, GOT INTO THE TRUCK, AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. WE WENT BACK INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, ASKED BILLY TO RIDE WITH US AND HE SAW THE PROBLEM. HE THEN KEPT THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED THE TECHNICIANS IN THE MORNING. WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR TRUCK BACK AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LOST POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LOST POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SURF CITY NISSAN (LOCATED AT 17331 BEACH BLVD, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647, (714) 500-6010) AND TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,662.
Official recalls
219V807000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Nov 8, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
18V601000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Sep 7, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration