Lemon Law Analysis

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data

✓ Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. · Updated June 2026
32
NHTSA Complaints
1
Active Recalls
2-4
Avg. Repair Attempts

The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.

As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 32 complaints against the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2025 Nissan Pathfinder complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder has generated 66 NHTSA complaints and has 1 active recall. If your 2025 Nissan Pathfinder has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Nissan pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.

Other Systems

Moderate Claim VolumeSong-Beverly Strength: Very Strong

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder has generated 8 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “3rd row side window shattered, while stopped at a traffic light.” (NHTSA Complaint #11721012)

Service Brakes,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Strong

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 4 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “serious incident that happened. While we were driving heading uphill to the beach, the check engine light and multiple warnings suddenly appeared. It said ‘transmission error’ and ‘engine power reduced,’ and the car just shut down with the kids inside. We were at risk of the car rolling backwards. I really think this is a major safety issue tied to the vehicle’s design or manufacturing. Second incident was also driving on the road and suddenly all the lights appeared again and the engine shut off on its own leaving me and the kids stuck on road. I wasn’t able to switch it to N to at least try to push it out the way! I was stuck in traffic and had to call road assistance to get the car towed home! At this point I’m scared to drive anywhere especially with my kids inside.” (NHTSA Complaint #11721628)

Electrical System

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 4 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “I purchased this vehicle new, and it has exhibited multiple safety-related problems. 1.The transmission intermittently fails to engage reverse; when reverse is selected, the vehicle sometimes goes into neutral. 2.When this occurs, the rearview camera does not activate, creating a serious risk when backing up. 3.Additionally, the odometer/mileage appears to increase unusually fast without corresponding driving, suggesting a possible software malfunction affecting the vehicle’s electronic systems. These issues occur at low mileage, shortly after purchase. The combination of reverse failure and non-functioning rearview camera poses a direct safety hazard and may violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) regarding rear visibility and transmission operation.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720309)

Visibility

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder has generated 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside the garage, the hatch glass shattered unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact became aware that several consumers had reported that the rear glass, front windshield, and sunroof glass had broken without impact due to the manufacturing of the thin-tempered glass. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that a Nissan regional representative would reach out with assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725691)

Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “The accelerator pedal has gotten stuck at full throttle 3 times under the all weather rock creek floor mat. The mat appears to be properly placed in its molded position, but it allows the pedal to go behind the mat and get stuck. 3 separate times this has happened.” (NHTSA Complaint #11724376)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder by the NHTSA or Nissan. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

Recall 25V173000

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan’s customer service at 800-647-7261 or INFINITI’s customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan’s numbers for this recall are

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2025 Nissan Pathfinder:

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
  • 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
  • 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Nissan to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Nissan must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2025 Nissan Pathfinder qualifies as a lemon under California law, Nissan may be legally required to:

  • Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
  • Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
  • Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Nissan pays all legal fees if you prevail
  • Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Nissan willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Nissan a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Nissan dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Nissan pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Nissan a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2025 Nissan Pathfinder Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2025 Nissan Pathfinder as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Nissan pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Nissan is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2025 Nissan Pathfinder?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.

Think Your 2025 Pathfinder Qualifies?

Get a free case evaluation. Nissan pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.

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