Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Nissan Pathfinder, 2013-2016

[AutoTrader.ca]

Most probable used Pathfinder problems are easy to spot on a test drive.
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[ChaosphereIX]

BIL has one - good baby stroller and grocery hauler. Had transmission issues. Had a whole new transmission put in. Now he is having issues again...

[sailor723]

A surprisingly positive review for a vehicle that I would have thought placed firmly in the "avoid' category. CR rates them 1 out of 5 for both reliability and owner satisfaction.

[EV-Light]

Huge list of issues, transmission being the biggest - totally not worth even considering one!


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[tortoise]

A co-worker has one and is pretty happy with it.  It seems to be decent on fuel.  But he does claim it's a bit boring.

He uses it to tow his 18' fiberglass boat, including up some really steep cottage hills.  He's had no transmission issues... Yet.

[Fobroader]

As bland as it is and with its horrid reliability, I think I will let my friend Bruce Dickinson sum up what you should do instead of looking at a Pathfinder....

[Niklasky]

My parents have one that they bought last year. They seem pretty happy with it, it's comfortable and they have enough room to drive the grand kids around.

One thing I particularly dislike about it, is the quality of the interior and the fit & finish. Lots of hollow hard plastics and the assembly of some elements is very dodgy. It doesn't feel premium at all, despite the faux wood. I don't understand why the Pathfinder doesn't have soft touch materials on the dash like the Murano does.

[Gurgie]

Meh... that's about all I can say about these 

[tortoise]

Meh... that's about all I can say about these 

Yep.

But you have to admit that Nissan nailed it for the "All I need is a minivan but I don't want to be seen driving a minivan" crowd.

Oh, and they're pretty cheap for what you're getting.  I think pricing is what moves 90% of these vs. a Highlander or Pilot.

[SaskSpecV]

But you have to admit that Nissan nailed it for the "All I need is a minivan but I don't want to be seen driving a minivan" crowd.

Oh, and they're pretty cheap for what you're getting.  I think pricing is what moves 90% of these vs. a Highlander or Pilot.

Line 1: Bingo.  I don't understand that crowd, but damn is it ever a big crowd!

Line 2: Double bingo.

I've got a cousin and 2 good friends with this gen Pathfinder, and those sentiments sum it up perfectly.  Thankfully no one has had any CVT issues yet.   

Want AWD and 7-seat capacity, with reasonable fuel economy?  Want lots of features, at a price point 10% lower than a comparable Highlander or Pilot?  Don't care much about driving dynamics, or interior material quality?  Then here you go.   Nissan is the new Hyundai/Kia. 

[sacrat]

A surprisingly positive review for a vehicle that I would have thought placed firmly in the "avoid' category. CR rates them 1 out of 5 for both reliability and owner satisfaction.

Agree completely. I was also expecting a summary line of "avoid like the plague".
 Comments like the advice below do not exactly engender confidence about future reliability.

"Owners are advised to have the CVT’s transmission fluid changed not a moment later than the intervals specified under “severe service” in the owner’s manual, and to only have the servicing performed at a Nissan dealer, since the fluid change procedure, and fluid itself, is highly specific."

There is a 2014 Pathfinder Platinum at our Hyundai dealer that seems like a steal at 29K until you read all this stuff. Carcrazed warned me not to go near it. It's also been back to Nissan twice for warranty work while still on the lot! Not promising...

http://www.precisionhyundai.com/used/Nissan/2014-Nissan-Pathfinder-1db3944f0a0e08ba4cc78722eba02e60.htm

[johngenx]

Some friends of ours ate a big chunk of money to get out of theirs and into a Highlander.  No regrets.

[Scaerio]

Calling this a Pathfinder would be like ditching the current model 4Runner and giving that name to the next-gen Highlander.  Nissan should have thought up a new name.

[tortoise]

Agree. But Pathfinder is such a great name for an SUV. 

[revalations]

Some friends of ours ate a big chunk of money to get out of theirs and into a Highlander.  No regrets.

My neighbor is trying to do the same. They traded a CX9 for a new Pathfinder last year, very unhappy with the Nissan and now he want's to trade for a Sienna. Just not willing to take the huge money owed VS trade in value hit just yet.

[johngenx]

My neighbor is trying to do the same. They traded a CX9 for a new Pathfinder last year, very unhappy with the Nissan and now he want's to trade for a Sienna. Just not willing to take the huge money owed VS trade in value hit just yet.

Yeah, the Pathfinders are not welcome on off-brand dealer's lots unless they're basically brand-new.  The result is low trade values for people bailing on them.  They tried to sell it privately, but got few responses.  They have an older Tundra in the family that convinced them to go to Toyota when they wanted out of the Pathinder, and they love their new Highlander.

[tooscoops]

when my neighbours wanted a used family hauler, they asked what i had on the lot... after listing off a host of things that made sense, i gave a chuckle and mentioned the pathfinder...

...they then called me that night to ask more about the pathfinder. a few days later, they picked up their new to them pathfinder.

i at no point told them it was a good car... not once told them it was reliable... all i said was that it was like a van without the fuel economy or space of one. good enough for them! they are the stereotypical young urban couple... can't be seen in a van, want to seem outdoorsy and interesting... think the japanese are the only people who can build a car...

oh well, been a month or two... they are happy.