2017 Nissan Pathfinder: engine failure

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Engine · VA

SLUDGE IN ENGINE- UNDER 100,000 MILES We had been keeping up with all recommended services, and it is cosmetically perfect, but the car is now a total loss. A Check Engine light came on, and we began to notice a tremor/shake and took it to Southern Team Nissan. The Nissan dealer diagnosed sludge in the engine and said it would need a total engine replacement. The Nissan dealer advised that the cost of that would be more than the car was worth. After they pulled the pan to check if there was definitely sludge, the car then shook so badly that it felt unsafe to drive. Research shows that this is a known issue, with many cases of documented VQ35DD sludge problems. We see many listed cases on this website under complaints for 2017 Nissan Pathfinders.

Filed Sep 24, 2025 · Engine · MO

Engine failure in my vehicle equipped with the VQ35DD engine, which I believe is the result of a widespread and well-documented design defect involving internal sludge buildup. I have owned this vehicle for over five years and have followed the recommended routine maintenance schedule, including on-time oil changes using high-quality oil. At no point during any inspection, service, or maintenance appointment was I informed of any sludge buildup or concerns with the engine. Only after a serious mechanical failure did the Nissan servicing dealership claim the engine was full of sludge, subsequently recommending an engine replacement. Despite my diligence in maintaining the vehicle, I am now facing an engine replacement that was entirely unexpected and has created a safety risk due to loss of motive power. This could have resulted in a serious accident, and I believe this issue merits urgent and transparent attention. Upon researching this issue, I found dozens of similar complaints from other owners with VQ35DD engines, many of whom reported premature engine failure, sludge accumulation, and PCV system defects—despite maintaining their vehicles properly. This issue is being widely discussed on forums, including: [XXX] [XXX] It is unacceptable that Nissan has not issued a technical service bulletin, recall, or extended warranty to address this problem, particularly when it may stem from a known defect in the PCV system or engine design (such as poor oil flow, crankcase ventilation failure, or GDI-related contamination). Given the facts outlined above and the potential safety hazard, a full investigation should be taken to help Nissan customers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Engine · PA

Timing chain failure at 88,000 miles on well maintained vehicle. Could cause catastrophic engine failure. No leading indicator.

Filed Oct 31, 2024 · Engine · GA

On Sunday [XXX] while driving to Savannah Georgia to attend a funeral my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder broke down. I was able to coast off the road out of traffic in the pouring rain. I had the vehicle towed to Statesboro tire and brake in Statesboro Georgia who was in network with my extended warranty company. On May 20th 2024 I was told the engine failed due to metal in the oil. They opened a claim and diagnosed the issue. The warranty company requested the oil pan be dropped and pictures to be submitted to them to continue with the claim. Upon further inspection there was sludge and noticeable metal in the oil pan. My extended warranty company denied the claim. I asked if i could submit my maintenance records to prove the vehicle had been maintained. I was told no by the warranty company and statesboro tire and brake didn't even submit them for me. So I had to pay for the work test had been done and have the vehicle towed back to Grovetown Ga. which is where I live. I contacted Nissan consumer relations at this point not knowing what else to do. They opened a claim and I then had the vehicle towed to the Nissan dealership near me. Which they did another diagnosis and the claim through them was also denied. I purchased this vehicle used from CarMax in Augusta Georgia with 41502 miles on it. Upon purchasing the vehicle I maintained the vehicle keeping up with all of the manufacturers recommendations for maintenance and service. I contacted CarMax to see if they could do anything because they are who I purchased the vehicle from. The service manager at CarMax was able to submit my records to the extended warranty company and the claim was approved. The engine is being replaced after almost 6 months of persistence. It is a used engine but at least it's a new engine to me. On [XXX] the vehicle had 100573 miles. There were no warning lights. The vehicle had no issues until it just died on that date. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 10, 2024 · Engine · IL

Complete engine failure while driving on highway putting the safety of my family(including 2 young kids) at risk. We were able maneuver to the side of the road. We were stranded on side of highway in a very rural area at night with no power(no hazard lights, or heat) for a while. Car towed to Nissan dealership, who stated a new engine is needed. Paper work is available. For history, a new timing belt was installed in Fall 2023, but no issues since (no warnings, messages or problems).

Filed Mar 24, 2024 · Engine · MO

The dealership is recommended a brand new engine despite it only having 130,000 on it.

Filed Sep 2, 2022 · Engine · MI

Nissan 2017 pathfinder 67000 miles.engine making noise went to dealership.I call Nissan consumer affairs but no assistance.dealership told engine failure.

Filed Jun 27, 2022 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V807000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), the dealer diagnosed that there was a mechanical defect in the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to Nissan of Yorktown Heights (3495 Old Crompond Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598) where the dealer performed the recall repair and replaced the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 97,000 miles · MO

I bought this vehicle in 2018 since then I've had this vehicle in the shop multiple times . My differential was replaced a few months after I bought the vehicle along with my fan blades . This is again an issue for my car this just having gotten it back because I had to do a complete engine replacement in my now only 4 year old car . My car was out of warranty from nissan based on any of the mileage . I took it to one dealership who claimed that I had metal in my oil said nothing of smudge in the oil mind you I had just had my oil changed again not told anything . I was driving home from work in march 2020 when my low oil pressure light kicked on which didn't make sense as I had just had an oil change a few weeks prior and kept up on my oil changes . The engine that is in my vehicle is apparently nissans newest engine and a very expensive one at that . I requested an exception from nissan in regards to the engine so I did as they said and took it to another dealership this time the nissan dealership . They claimed my engine was a total loss and it was due to lack of maintenance there was no way this was the case in my situation . Nissan informed me that maybe the previous own r had done it and basically there was nothing that could be done . So I got online and started looking around to find that other people had reported the same thing . My vehicle is primarily all highway driving I paid over 7k for a new engine to be put in my car from a local shop . The engine had to be taken out twice because the inside pistons were sticking this was on the new engines . Once my engine was finally installed and my 02 sensors replaced as well a week later my car was throwing a misfire for low oil pressure light. This clearly is a fault with nissans design of this engine . I have spent thousands on a newer vehicle with no help from nissan and no fault of my own .

Filed Jul 9, 2019 · Engine · 46,000 miles · WY

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 nissan pathfinder. While driving 55 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle decelerated and powered down in the middle of traffic. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and coasted to the shoulder. The vehicle could not be restarted and was towed to casper nissan (111 se wyoming blvd, casper, wy 82609, (307) 462-5260). The dealer diagnosed that a new engine was needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 46,000.