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Nissan Pathfinder water leak problems

25 of the 7,336 owner complaints about the Nissan Pathfinder describe water leaks into the cabin, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
25
worst model year
2006
typical mileage
96,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2024
    1
  • 2023
    1
  • 2022
    6
  • 2019
    1
  • 2017
    1
  • 2014
    2
  • 2007
    2
  • 2006
    7
  • 2005
    2
  • 2001
    1

What owners say

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · FL

My Nissan Pathfinder has a recurring water intrusion problem through the sunroof area whenever it rains. The problem first occurred in June and has happened again this month during the rainy season. Water enters the vehicle cabin during rainfall, creating a significant concern about the safety and reliability of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a Nissan dealer, and I was informed that the sunroof drain tubes need to be replaced. The dealer also informed me that the required drain tubes are currently on nationwide backorder and are not available. As a result, the vehicle has not been permanently repaired and continues to leak whenever it rains. The problem has been reproduced during actual rainfall, and I have video recordings documenting multiple incidents of water entering the vehicle. The videos and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. This vehicle is our only vehicle and is regularly used to transport two toddlers. Repeated water intrusion into the passenger compartment raises concerns about safe operation and the possibility of additional damage to the vehicle, including electrical components, wiring, carpeting, interior components, and other systems. There were no known warning lights or warning messages associated with the water intrusion. The primary symptom is water entering the cabin through the sunroof/drain area during rainfall. The Nissan dealer has confirmed the suspected cause as the sunroof drain tubes and advised that replacement parts are currently unavailable due to the nationwide backorder. I am reporting this issue because the water intrusion is recurring, the vehicle remains unrepaired because of the parts shortage, and the problem occurs whenever it rains. I am concerned about continued exposure to water and the potential safety consequences if the condition worsens.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Electrical · GA

Components Affected: STRUCTURE:SUNROOF | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | VISIBILITY/WIPER Description of Safety Hazard: My 2022 Nissan Pathfinder suffers from a severe, chronic manufacturing defect causing substantial water intrusion into the vehicle's cabin through the sunroof assembly during rainfall. To date, the manufacturer’s authorized dealership network has attempted to repair this exact leak three separate times and has failed to cure the defect. This unfixable water leak creates two distinct, critical safety hazards: 1. Electrical Failure/Fire Risk: Water actively flows into the headliner, pooling behind the dashboard and running down the A-pillars. This directly exposes critical safety electronics—including the side-curtain airbags, rearview mirror sensors, forward-collision camera arrays, and steering column electrical modules—to active moisture. This creates a severe risk of sudden, catastrophic electrical short-circuits, unintended airbag deployment, or sudden loss of safety assist systems while operating the vehicle at highway speeds. The vehicle is currently leaking for a fourth time. Because the manufacturer's certified network is entirely incapable of sealing the vehicle or curing this defect, the vehicle remains an ongoing safety hazard to its occupants and other motorists on the road.

Filed May 29, 2026 · Body · CA

Panoramic sunroof drains failed due to being pinched by headliner. Documented water leaking into vehicle at 6060 by dealership. Water coming in along the a pillar and roof. Vehicle has been in the shop 3 separate times for gurgling noise and roof leaks. Dealership had issues re-creating issue. It’s a known engineering defect by the manufacturer but no recall has been issued.

Filed Apr 8, 2026 · MS

I am reporting a recurring defect involving the sunroof drain system in my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum that has caused multiple interior flooding incidents. The vehicle has flooded three separate times due to failure of the sunroof drainage system. Water enters the cabin during rain events and accumulates inside the vehicle, causing damage to the interior and raising concerns about potential electrical system exposure and safety hazards. This issue has been addressed by a Nissan dealership on multiple occasions; however, the defect has not been permanently resolved and continues to reoccur. The repeated failure of the drainage system indicates a potential design or manufacturing defect rather than normal wear or maintenance-related issues. Water intrusion into the cabin creates safety concerns including: Potential damage to electrical components Risk of mold and air quality issues inside the vehicle Driver distraction and reduced vehicle reliability Despite multiple repair attempts, the issue persists. Nissan has declined further assistance due to the vehicle being outside of the warranty period, even though the defect is ongoing and unresolved. I am submitting this complaint to document a potential systemic issue with the sunroof drainage system that may affect other vehicles of the same model.

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Body · 33,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while opening the rear hatch, there was water leaking into the vehicle from the left and right sides of the hatch door. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there were flaws with the seal, and the seal and hatch door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was partially repaired by replacing the seals, but the failure reoccurred approximately a month later. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the rear hatch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Body, Brakes · NY

brake pads wearing prematurely, too many rattle noises in side cabin, moonroof water leak, hit and miss rear cross traffic alert, frequent infotainment system reboots, transmission shift to nutral while try to speed up.

Filed Apr 1, 2024 · VA

Water is leaking from my light fixture. Nissan suspected it to be the sunroof. Unfortunately the component that has failed/malfunctioned is unknown. It was suspected to be the sunroof. Nissan has failed to fix the issue multiple times. My safety as well as others are at risk for possible shock or getting electrocuted with water leaking by enclosed wires. The issue was confirmed by Nissan Service Center. I did get Nissan Consumer Affairs involved, and they were absolutely no help. I'm paying for a vehicle that has a manufacturer's issue but Nissan refusals to fix it. But they can't fix it because they don't know what is causing the issue. I have provided a full detail in the attached documents

Filed Aug 4, 2023 · GA

I purchased this car with 6miles on the odometer. Shortly after my purchase, the sunroof started making noises. I have been in contact with my local dealership (not the one I got it from) with making sure that when the regular service has been completed to check the sunroof. They “say” that they make sure that the drain is completely good. I have allowed them to “fix” the problem with the noise but nothing changed. Tonight my roof was leaking water from everywhere. I want something done about this! There has to be a way to fix it. Please advise.

Filed Sep 18, 2022 · FL

The sunroof is leaking water. There has been no accidents or damage to the car. I previously took the car to fix the problem on 08/29/2022 Auto Nation Nissan Miami. They told me they had 6 pathfinders with the same problem for the same make and model and year. A few days later they told me they fixed the problem, however this is not the case as there is still a leak in the roof.

Filed Apr 6, 2022 · Body · MD

During rainy days, we get water in the car through the roof mounting. I was told at the dealership that it's from the manufactory I need a new roof mounting kit.

Related recalls

Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachmentsReported January 26, 2015 · 170,665 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to November 18, 2013, 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid vehicles manufactured July 18, 2013, to November 18, 2013, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles manufactured November 29, 2011, to June 14, 2013, and 2014 QX60 vehicles manufactured May 16, 2013, to November 18, 2013, and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles manufactured July 18, 2013, to November 18, 2013. In the affected vehicles the hood release cable assembly may have been installed incorrectly preventing the latching claw from fully engaging. The secondary latch may remain in the open position when the hood is closed.
Risk
If the primary hood latch is released and the secondary latch fails during operation of the vehicle, it could cause the hood to open during vehicle operation impairing the driver's vision, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the angle of the hood release mechanism to provide additional length to the release cable, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 15V033000 · Recall details

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachmentsReported August 30, 2001 · 31,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Some of the brackets used to attach the two gas struts to the rear door (hatch) may have been improperly made. At high ambient temperatures, the increase in gas pressure in the strut(s) could cause one or both brackets to bend, resulting in the struts detaching from the bracket(s) when opening or closing the rear door.
Risk
If both struts detach from the brackets, the door will rapidly fall down, possibly striking someone and causing serious injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the strut brackets. Owner notification began september 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 01V282000 · Recall details

Questions about the Nissan Pathfinder water leak

Which Nissan Pathfinder years have water leaks into the cabin problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (7 complaints), 2022 (6 complaints) and 2005 (2 complaints).

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