general problems of the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder

While driving, the vehicle experienced sudden and complete loss of throttle response, resulting in little to no acceleration. This occurred in active traffic and created a dangerous situation where the vehicle could not maintain speed or safely move out of traffic. The vehicle has been serviced multiple times by Nissan of kenosha, including a full transmission replacement under warranty. Despite these repairs, the same throttle failure has occurred repeatedly, including within hours of being returned as “repaired. ” most recently, the throttle failed again while driving on a public street, and I was only able to move the vehicle into a driveway with minimal acceleration. The vehicle is currently not drivable and remains unsafe to operate. The dealership has not resolved the issue and has released the vehicle multiple times in an unsafe condition. This is an ongoing safety defect involving loss of acceleration and vehicle control.

I own a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder with approximately 55,000 miles. The vehicle repeatedly failed indiana emissions testing because the oxygen sensor monitor would not set to “ready,” despite multiple complete drive cycles and no check?engine light or stored fault codes. A local shop performed diagnostics and found no issues. They reported that another 2020 Pathfinder came in the following week with the exact same problem. My vehicle was ultimately sent to a Nissan dealership, where they determined the upstream oxygen sensor had failed in a way that prevented the ecm from running the emissions monitor, yet did not trigger any diagnostic trouble codes. The repair required full sensor replacement at a cost of $1,450, not covered under warranty. The failure mode is concerning because: • the vehicle gives no warning to the driver. • the ecm blocks emissions readiness indefinitely. • the issue appears to be occurring in multiple 2020 Pathfinders. • owners cannot legally renew registration without passing emissions. This may indicate a defective oxygen sensor or ecm logic issue affecting 2020 Pathfinders. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA can track the pattern and determine whether a broader defect investigation is warranted. Vehicle details: • year/make/model: 2020 Nissan Pathfinder • mileage at failure: ~55,000 • no warning lights, no stored codes • emissions monitor would not complete • dealer confirmed sensor failure and replaced part safety concern: a failed emissions component that does not trigger a fault code may indicate a defect in the emissions control system or ecm logic. The lack of diagnostic warnings prevents owners from knowing there is a problem until the vehicle fails emissions testing.

My 202 Pathfinder started misfiring with sever knocking, Nissan said there is metal saving in my oil which is caused because of the long block engine failure and timing chain loosening. I had my oil changes done every 4k, and I also had the fluids flushed twice in 5 years because of excessive build up. How does this happen.

Electrical issues with my car including ac. Timing belt chain went and gasket covers. Continuous issue with this vehicle.

On April 7, 2025, the dealership attempted to sell me a vehicle that was experiencing an engine condition running too lean. I declined that vehicle due to safety concerns. On April 8, 2025, the salesperson contacted me again and stated that a different vehicle had been located that would meet my needs. At that time, I was nine months pregnant and urgently needed a vehicle with third-row seating for my children. The dealership was aware of my condition and urgency. I took delivery of the vehicle that day. Unexpectedly, I went into labor the following day and gave birth shortly after. Because of childbirth and medical recovery, I did not immediately operate the vehicle extensively or discover the safety issues. After being discharged from the hospital, around April 11, 2025, I began using the vehicle and discovered serious mechanical problems that made the vehicle unsafe to operate. The vehicle exhibited engine-related issues and a major suspension defect that affected vehicle stability and safe operation. The vehicle was returned to the dealership, where repairs were performed and parts were ordered, confirming that the defects existed prior to or at the time of delivery. Despite the vehicle being driven a significant distance immediately before sale, the dealership did not perform a basic oil change or standard post-delivery inspection. Operating a vehicle under these conditions raises concerns for engine reliability, overheating, and failure. The suspension defect created risk of loss of control, and the engine condition created risk of drivability issues. These conditions posed a safety risk to the driver and passengers, including a newborn child. The vehicle remains available for inspection if requested.

There's been a loss of power when accelerating, engine has made an odd noise during startup and occasionally a knocking noise when driven longer than a 10 mins. Dealership said there's metal in the oil pan. I saw an article today that said only Nissan three and four cylinder vehicles have these issues but my Pathfinder has the same problems.

Engine misfiring on left side due to faulty timing chains. Car would not start at times, and engine light flashing. Safety was at risk due to engine being unreliable, misfiring, and we were advised it could possibly stall/cut-out while driving. Problem confirmed by independent service center. Dealer service center would not diagnose without taking engine apart at our expense, they recommended replacing the whole engine, and the car is only 3 years own. There is a know issue with the timing chains on this model of vehicle, yet they did nothing to resolve the problem.

Back in Nov 2022 my car had to go in the shop due to its jerking, shuddering, shaking while accelerating. Then suddenly just stopped wouldn’t let me accelerate turn break nothing locked up luckily I was able to pull over and shut off the car because it was still on during this time. I had just picked my young kids up from elementary school. The dealer ship had us pay the deductible and told us it was the ecm they replaced it and we were 0 dollars out of pocket due to warranty. Well 2023 may it started showing low oil pressure light then it would go off the engine light comes on then goes off and while the lights are coming on and going off the car with shake and studder. Got an oil change it it had stopped. Now July 2023 the engine light is one constantly as well as low oil pressure vehicle is constantly studderling making a clanckung noise when accelerating but stops when breaks are hit. Lags when turning on and off vehicle hard to take in and out of gear. White exhaust comes out of exhaust pipe when stoppped at stop lights. It’s so unsafe to travel with all 5 of my kids because the vehicle is so unpredictable. We can drive it and have no problems then turn around the next time it is making all these sounds and having problems we are to the point it’s not worth paying for it and just want to do a voluntary repo because the deal else ship won’t take it back so we can get another vehicle.

I drove from pine bluff, ar to memphis, tenn in pouring rain. There were many tractor trailers on the highway throwing water back on my vehicle. When I got into memphis, my vehicle shut down and would not re-start for several hours. I believe this to be a safety issue because if I had driven a little farther and it suddenly shut down in traffic, this would have caused a terrible accident.

Engine pinging/knocking and engine hesitation / surging most obvious in second gear steady throttle around 2k rpm. Doesn't matter what gas is used. Engine hesitation and pinging/knocking is getting worse. Nissan states its normal operation.

Engine failure while driving. Abnormal engine oil consumption. Oil level dropped without warning and without any warning lights from the vehicle. The vehicle oil level as checked 1 day prior to failure.