What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Early-defect pattern

27.7% of complaints about the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder came in its first year of service — a higher share than 96% of the 210 2013 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is power train (366 complaints), typically at 1.3 yr or about 5,200 miles.

Complaints
1,199
Median age at failure
2.8 yr
Median mileage
15,000 n=912
Crash / fire / tow
3.6% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
366 reports · 5,200 mi
1.3 yr
2.7%
Air bags
177 reports · 12,100 mi
1.8 yr
4%
Other
110 reports · 56,675 mi
5.9 yr
0%
Engine
103 reports · 9,000 mi
2.0 yr
3.9%
Structure
84 reports · 45,000 mi
4.9 yr
1.2%
Service brakes
62 reports · 17,300 mi
3.3 yr
16.1%
Electrical system
49 reports · 31,500 mi
3.3 yr
0%
Speed control
47 reports · 17,000 mi
2.3 yr
2.1%
Visibility / wipers
46 reports · 45,000 mi
5.1 yr
2.2%
Suspension
29 reports · 117,000 mi
10.9 yr
3.4%
Fuel / propulsion
18 reports · 13,700 mi
2.6 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V420000 2022-06-13
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Pathfinder vehicles. On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.

An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.

21V020000 2021-01-20
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. The location of the brake light switch may cause the brake light switch relay to repeatedly open and close. Overtime, this can cause the relay to stick in the "ON" position, with the brake lights remaining illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, this may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brake pedal.

Continual illumination of the brake lights can prevent other drivers from realizing the vehicle is actually slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash. With the brake override activated, the driver will not be able to accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. The driver can shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, i

16V380000 2016-05-31
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to June 13, 2013. The brake light switch may have been installed incorrectly causing the relay to make intermittent contact and repeatedly cycle. This may result in the relay remaining in the "ON" position, causing the brake lights to remain illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, the brake light switch may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brak

If the brake override is activated, the driver will not be accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. If the brake lights remain illuminated, other drivers may fail to stop when the vehicle actually brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. If the driver inadvertently shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk

16V244000 2016-04-26
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied.

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

15V681000 2015-10-20
Air bags:frontal

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

15V033000 2015-01-26
Structure:body:hood:hinge and attachments

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

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.

14V142000 2014-03-26
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines

Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured April 18, 2012, through October 3, 2012, and equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In the affected vehicles, the internal oil cooler (ITOC) hose may detach from the cooler due to inadequate clamping force, allowing transmission fluid to leak.

The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V138000 2014-03-25
Electrical system:software

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

13V445000 2013-10-17
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles manufactured April 18, 2012, through September 20, 2013; model year 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through January 16, 2013; and model year 2014 Infiniti QX60 vehicles manufactured January 17, 2013, through September 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, during light braking on rough roads, the antilock brake system (ABS) brake pressure output software may lead to an increase in stopping distance.

The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.

13V139000 2013-04-12
Service brakes

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX vehicles manufactured December 3, 2012, through January 29, 2013. The front brake torque member was improperly cast resulting in structural weakness. This can lead to premature failure and cracking.

If the brake torque member fails, the brake caliper may move and contact the inside of the road wheel, resulting in reduced braking, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes 100 mi 3 mo in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER(N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE BRAKING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Service brakes 300 mi 4 mo in service
WHEN I WOULD PARK ON A HILL THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS UNTIL THE PARKING PAWL WAS ENGAGED SO THE TRANSMISSION WAS HOLDING THE CAR ON THE HILL. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. TOOK CAR TO THE DEALER AND PARKING BRAKE WAS ADJUSTED. NOW, NO PROBLEMS HOLDING THE CAR ON A HILL. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THIS BEFORE GIVING ME THE CAR. *TR
Service brakes 5,000 mi 9 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND DECELERATING TO AN INTERSECTION, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V139000 (SERVICE BRAKES) HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Power train 700 mi 4 mo in service
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY @55MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV FROM LOW TO VERY HIGH RPMS. ALL OF A SUDDEN CABIN BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE AND LOST COMPLETE POWER TO DRIVE TRAIN. MOVE TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND AVOIDED A HUGE ACCIDENT WITH 2 CHILDREN ON BOARD. *TR

Other Pathfinder model years

2024202320222020201920182017201620152014201320082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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