Generation history
Nissan Pathfinder generations and next redesign.
The Nissan Pathfinder has been through 3 generations, starting in 1985, 1995 and 2004. The gaps were 10, 9 years, an average of 9.5. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2004. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2013 through 2015, centered on 2014. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: In August 2003, Nissan unveiled Dunehawk Concept and showcased it at the IAA 2003 in Frankfurt (R51 design patents filed 8 September 2003), previewing the next Pathfinder's design. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Nissan Pathfinder model page.
Every generation
The Nissan Pathfinder, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
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| First generation | YD21/WD21 | 1985–1995 | The first generation Pathfinder was unveiled in May 1985 and was later introduced in July 1986 as a two-door body-on-frame SUV, for the 1987 model year in the United States. |
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| Second generation | R50 | 1995–2004 | The second generation Pathfinder was introduced in late 1995 with revised styling. |
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| Third generation | R51 | 2004–present | In August 2003, Nissan unveiled Dunehawk Concept and showcased it at the IAA 2003 in Frankfurt (R51 design patents filed 8 September 2003), previewing the next Pathfinder's design. |
|---|
The Nissan Pathfinder spent 9.5 years per generation on average. The current one is 22 years old. Treat 2013 to 2015 as a range, not a date.
Source: Nissan Pathfinder (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Nissan Pathfinder model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Nissan Pathfinder generation changed.
First generation, 1985 to 1995
The first generation Pathfinder was unveiled in May 1985 and was later introduced in July 1986 as a two-door body-on-frame SUV, for the 1987 model year in the United States. It shared styling and most components with the Nissan Hardbody Truck. Built on a ladder-type frame, the Pathfinder was Nissan's response to the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Bronco II, Jeep Cherokee, and non-American SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner, Honda Passport, and the Isuzu MU. Before the Pathfinder there was the Nissan Bushmaster (an aftermarket conversion of the Datsun Truck).
Second generation, 1995 to 2004
The second generation Pathfinder was introduced in late 1995 with revised styling. The engine was upgraded to the VG33E, with 168 hp (125 kW) and 196 lb⋅ft torque. For the 19991⁄2 model year, the Pathfinder was freshened. In the year 2000 for the 2001 model year brought a new 240 hp (179 kW) V6 engine (for the automatic transmission models).
Third generation, 2004 to today
In August 2003, Nissan unveiled Dunehawk Concept and showcased it at the IAA 2003 in Frankfurt (R51 design patents filed 8 September 2003), previewing the next Pathfinder's design. At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, Nissan unveiled a completely redesigned Pathfinder for the 2005 model year. The new R51 Pathfinder uses the Nissan F-Alpha platform. It is powered by a 4.0 L V6 engine VQ40DE (266 hp (198 kW), 288 lb⋅ft) or a 2.5 L YD25DDT (126 kW (171 PS; 169 hp), 403 N⋅m) turbodiesel.
Generation notes adapted from Nissan Pathfinder (Wikipedia).
Today's Nissan Pathfinder
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Nissan Pathfinder at a glance
- Production
- 1985–present
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1985–2014), Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (2012–present), Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (1985–present)
- Chassis
- Body-on-frame (1985–1995, 2005–2014), Unibody (1995–2004, 2012–present)
- Predecessor
- Datsun Truck#Bushmaster, Nissan Bushmaster, Nissan Terrano II (Europe)
- Successor
- Nissan Xterra#First generation (WD22; 1999), Nissan Xterra (for WD21 model, as a compact SUV), Nissan Terra (for R51 model, as a body-on-frame SUV)
- Also called
- Nissan Terrano (1985–2004)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- March 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor… Consequence: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- March 2024, Seat Belts:Pretensioner. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The lap belt pretensioner in the left-side front seat belt assembly may be improperly secured, due to a missing rivet. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with… Consequence: An unsecured lap belt pretensioner will not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- February 2024, Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag… Consequence: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about unknown or other (15), service brakes (9), power train (7).