2020 Nissan Pathfinder — Known Issues & Recalls

Your 2020 Pathfinder is misfiring and making severe knocking sounds. Nissan diagnosed metal shavings in your oil caused by long block engine failure and a loose timing chain, despite you following the recommended 4,000-mile oil change intervals and having the fluids flushed twice in 5 years. This indicates internal engine wear or timing chain damage. The repair will likely require replacing the timing chain and possibly rebuilding or replacing the engine block.

Your 2020 Pathfinder may fail emissions testing because the oxygen sensor stops working in a way that prevents the engine computer from completing emissions readiness checks — but your car won't show a check-engine light or any warning codes to alert you. This means you won't know there's a problem until you fail an emissions test and can't renew your registration. The fix requires replacing the upstream oxygen sensor, which can cost around $1,450 and may not be covered under warranty.

Your remote door lock fob doesn't work for the driver and passenger side doors — they won't lock or unlock when you press the button. This leaves your doors unlocked and accessible to anyone, which is a security concern when you're away from the car or stopped in traffic.

Your driver's side door won't lock or unlock when you use your key fob, even though the other doors work fine with it. You have to use the physical key to lock and unlock just that one door. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the door lock actuator or the electrical connection specific to the driver's side door.

Your Pathfinder occasionally cuts out, stutters, or lurches while driving—this happens both at low speeds (around 25 mph after stopping) and highway speeds (75-80 mph)—but the problem goes away on its own and doesn't appear when the dealership test drives it. The issue isn't triggering any diagnostic codes, so the dealership says there's nothing to fix, even though you've brought it in multiple times and contacted Nissan Customer Affairs.

Your transmission may shudder or vibrate when accelerating or shifting gears. This jerky feeling can happen during normal driving and may be noticeable when the vehicle is changing speeds. The issue involves your continuously variable transmission (CVT), which controls power delivery to the wheels. A transmission fluid change or internal component inspection may be needed to resolve the problem.

Your car suddenly loses all throttle response while driving, leaving you with little to no acceleration — a dangerous situation in traffic where you can't maintain speed or safely move. This problem has happened repeatedly even after multiple repairs by the dealership, including a full transmission replacement, and the vehicle fails again within hours of being returned. Your Pathfinder is currently undrivable and unsafe to operate. The fix will likely involve diagnosing and repairing the throttle control system, which may include electronic throttle body components, sensors, or engine control module reprogramming.

Your vehicle had serious engine and suspension problems that weren't discovered or fixed before delivery. The engine was running too lean (a condition affecting fuel efficiency and reliability), and the suspension had a major defect that could affect vehicle stability and control. The dealership didn't perform a basic oil change or inspection before you took delivery, even though the vehicle had been driven significantly. These issues posed safety risks, especially with a newborn in the car.

Your forward collision avoidance system may not be working properly. This safety feature is designed to help prevent crashes by alerting you or braking automatically when it detects an imminent collision. A crash has been reported involving this vehicle.

Your car is experiencing ongoing electrical problems, including issues with the air conditioning system. Additionally, your timing belt chain has failed and the gasket covers are damaged. This appears to be a recurring problem with your vehicle.

Your hood latch failed and wouldn't stay closed after opening it at around 67,000 miles. The dealer confirmed the problem was caused by damage to the latch, even though there was no accident or apparent reason for the damage. Your hood latch will need to be replaced, which costs over $450 for parts and labor.

Your forward collision avoidance and emergency braking system (AEB) warning light has come back on, even though the ABS/AEB system was replaced in January 2024. You've also had to replace the brake pedal light switch twice. This appears to be a recurring electrical or sensor issue with your braking and safety system that requires professional diagnosis and possible replacement of faulty components.

Your 2020 Nissan Pathfinder is experiencing premature brake wear, with brake pads and rotors needing replacement three times in less than two years despite having under 70,000 miles. You first noticed a squealing sound when stopping, and although there are no warning lights, the dealership confirmed your brakes were wearing faster than normal. The issue may be related to a suspension or brake system problem that's causing the pads and rotors to wear out excessively. A mechanic will need to inspect the brake system, suspension alignment, and brake hardware to identify what's causing the abnormal wear pattern.

Your car beeped and the ABS warning light came on while you were stopped at a stop sign. The dealer found that your brake switch, ABS control module, and forward collision sensor all needed to be replaced after only two months of ownership. The repairs were completed, but the issue happened at 55,139 miles.

Your vehicle accelerates on its own when traveling below 25 mph without you pressing the gas pedal, and this has happened multiple times. Additionally, your transfer case and axle seals started leaking at 74,000 miles. The dealer quoted $4,000 for repairs. A mechanic will need to diagnose the cruise control or throttle system for the acceleration issue and replace the leaking seals.

Your passenger door lock and unlock buttons don't work — you have to manually lock and unlock by hand — and your driver door is starting to have the same problem. Your liftgate button broke over a year ago and is only held by cables, and the silver trim piece around it recently flew off. Your manual trunk design requires pushing a button and pulling up, which feels unsafe and poorly designed.

Your rear view camera stops working intermittently — it might function for a few days, then stop working for several days at a time. This issue started before your warranty expired, but the dealer wouldn't inspect it because the camera was working when you brought the car in. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the camera wiring, connector, or the camera module itself to identify why it's cutting out intermittently.

While your car was parked, the ABS, traction control, and forward collision avoidance warning lights came on all at the same time. After you turned off the engine and restarted it a few minutes later, the lights went away. The issue hasn't been diagnosed or repaired. This type of problem is often caused by a faulty wheel speed sensor, brake fluid issues, or an electrical malfunction in the brake or safety system control module.

You're hearing a grinding noise coming from your front wheels even after replacing both CV axles, all brake components, and servicing the wheel hubs. This persistent noise suggests there may be an underlying suspension or bearing issue that wasn't addressed by the previous repairs. A mechanic will need to thoroughly inspect the front suspension components to identify the source of the grinding.

Your fuel gauge and distance-to-empty display become inaccurate once the tank drops below half full. The gauge might show a quarter tank with 40 miles remaining, then suddenly show 97 miles to empty, and these readings flip after you stop driving. The distance-to-empty meter also miscalculates short trips, showing 10-15 miles driven when you've only gone 3 miles. The fix will likely involve diagnosing and potentially replacing the fuel level sensor or fuel pump module that sends incorrect readings to your dashboard display.