2018 Nissan Pathfinder
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- FWD 4dr SUV, Platinum AWD 4dr SUV, S/Sv/Sl AWD 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 198.4 in
- Curb weight
- 4,275–4,672 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Few owner complaints78 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 237 for similar models.
Watch out for
- "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 18 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 198 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,275 lb (FWD 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 8% worse than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Pathfinder →
Trims, performance & features
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Smyrna, Tennessee
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2018 Pathfinder configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FWD 4dr SUV | 198.4 in | 77.2 in | 70.1 in | 114.2 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,275 lb | 54/46 |
| Platinum AWD 4dr SUV | 198.4 in | 77.2 in | 70.1 in | 114.2 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,672 lb | 54/46 |
| S/Sv/Sl AWD 4dr SUV | 198.4 in | 77.2 in | 70.1 in | 114.2 in | 65.7 / 65.7 in | 4,420 lb | 54/46 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | -8% | $2,900 | 395 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | -5% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Platinum | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -9% | $3,200 | 424 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.4% |
| 2018 Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 17.9% |


Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Pathfinder (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2018 Toyota Highlander | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 10 |
| 2018 GMC Yukon | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · Nov 8, 2019 Park outside
NHTSA campaign 19V807000 · 391,479 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 12, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V654000 · 1,228,830 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · Sep 7, 2018 Park outside
NHTSA campaign 18V601000 · 215,124 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2018 Nissan Pathfinder is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Nissan Pathfinder buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Service Brakes — 19 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 14 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 13 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 16,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Pathfinder years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 15 |
| 2025 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 56 |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 86 |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 107 |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 136 |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 48 |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 23 | 198.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 188 |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 23 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 107 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 321 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 26 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 12 | 531 |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 22 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 11 | 546 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →