At a Glance
The Nissan Pathfinder has 49 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the R51 (2005-2014) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 137K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Nissan Pathfinder common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Nissan Pathfinder generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Nissan Pathfinder Generations
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Most Common Nissan Pathfinder MOT Failures
Every reason Nissan Pathfinder vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 19.07% |
| 2 | Brake pads or linings worn | 15.72% |
| 3 | Front lamp not working | 7.93% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 6.43% |
| 5 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.44% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.09% |
| 7 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.58% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 3.30% |
| 9 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.79% |
| 10 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.62% |
| 11 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.48% |
| 12 | Fog lamp not working | 1.95% |
| 13 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.86% |
| 14 | Rear suspension fault | 1.45% |
| 15 | Parking brake condition | 1.33% |
| 16 | ABS fault | 1.04% |
| 17 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.03% |
| 18 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.85% |
| 19 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.81% |
| 20 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.79% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 0.72% |
| 22 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.67% |
| 23 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.65% |
| 24 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.63% |
| 25 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.58% |
| 26 | Chassis condition | 0.54% |
| 27 | Steering rack fault | 0.48% |
| 28 | Position lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 29 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.46% |
| 30 | Track rod end worn | 0.44% |
| 31 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.38% |
| 32 | Number plate lamp not working | 0.34% |
| 33 | Engine oil leak | 0.33% |
| 34 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.32% |
| 35 | Driveshaft fault | 0.30% |
| 36 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 0.28% |
| 37 | Stop lamp not working | 0.27% |
| 38 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.27% |
| 39 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.26% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.25% |
| 41 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.23% |
| 42 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.23% |
| 43 | Seat belt condition | 0.22% |
| 44 | Windscreen washer not working | 0.22% |
| 45 | Brake caliper fault | 0.22% |
| 46 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.22% |
| 47 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.20% |
| 48 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.20% |
| 49 | Brake fluid leak | 0.17% |
| 50 | Towbar fault | 0.17% |
| 51 | Steering column fault | 0.16% |
| 52 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.15% |
| 53 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.15% |
| 54 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.14% |
| 55 | Spare wheel fault | 0.13% |
| 56 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Driver airbag fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | Indicator fault | 0.11% |
| 59 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.09% |
| 60 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 61 | Steering lock fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.08% |
| 63 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.08% |
| 64 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.08% |
| 65 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 66 | Passenger seat fault | 0.08% |
| 67 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.08% |
| 68 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.08% |
| 69 | Propshaft fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Steering shaft fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Transmission oil leak | 0.06% |
| 72 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.05% |
| 73 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 74 | Rear lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 75 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 76 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Steering free play excessive | 0.05% |
| 78 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 79 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.05% |
| 80 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Horn not working | 0.04% |
| 82 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Exhaust leak | 0.04% |
| 84 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 86 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 87 | Brake pedal fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 89 | Front suspension fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 93 | Universal joint worn | 0.03% |
| 94 | Airbag warning light on | 0.02% |
| 95 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 96 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.02% |
| 97 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 98 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.02% |
| 99 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Electric power steering fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 103 | Brake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Brake master cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 106 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 107 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.02% |
| 108 | Seat belt or padding damaged | 0.02% |
| 109 | Speedometer fault | 0.02% |
| 110 | Electrical switch fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 113 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 116 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 118 | Steering box fault | 0.01% |
| 119 | Step damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 120 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.01% |
| 121 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 124 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 125 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 127 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 128 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 131 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 144 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 146 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 161 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Nissan Pathfinder MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Nissan Pathfinder, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Nissan Pathfinder problems?
Based on analysis of 137K Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 49 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Number plate lamp not working". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Nissan Pathfinder generation has the most problems?
The Nissan Pathfinder R51 (2005-2014) (2005–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (67). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Nissan Pathfinder?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Nissan Pathfinder owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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