2013 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 890 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 16 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJun 13, 2022
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.
Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 26, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are R22A2 R22A3 and R24B7.
Campaign 22V420000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchJan 20, 2021
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, increasing the risk of injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, either re-install the brake light switch or swap positions with the Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) switch; depending on the model year vehicle. In addition, the brake light relay will be replaced with a new one. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall PC786. Note: this recall supersedes 16V-380.
Campaign 21V020000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMay 31, 2016
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 brake pedal.
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 of injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake light switch and, as necessary, replace the relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 16V380000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 26, 2016
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. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
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.
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalOct 20, 2015
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.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V681000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hood, hinge and attachmentsJan 26, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V033000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, cooling unit and linesMar 26, 2014
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.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install an oil hose repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V142000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, softwareMar 25, 2014
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.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 14V138000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipOct 17, 2013
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.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ABS, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V445000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakesApr 12, 2013
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.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the manufacturing date of the torque members and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V139000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMar 1, 2013
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 13V069000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
83 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Mar 25, 2014
THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WILL NOTICEABLY BEGIN TO MOVE UP AND DOWN RAPIDLY AT SPEEDS OVER 60MPH--IF ITS WINDY THE MOVEMENT BECOMES EVEN WORSE. I TOOK IT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT. THAT THE RAPID MOVEMENT DOES NOT REPRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE SO THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT IT. I WAS NOT TOLD OR WARNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF IT. NISSAN CORP. HAD ALREADY NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THE DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE THAT COULD NOT BE CORRECTED IN BOTH THE 2013/2014 PATHFINDERS. I HOPE THE HOOD CATCH AND MOUNTS CAN HOLD UP TO THE CONSTANT VIBRATION AND MOVEMENT. IT IS ALSO AN UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION AND UNNERVING TO THE DRIVER WHEN IT IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Power train, Structure, Oct 28, 2013
WE, LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS, ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4. AT LOW SPEED ACCELERATION, TRANSMISSION SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND POWER IS LOST -- CANNOT SPEED UP. ALSO HAPPENS AT HIGH/HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT A DANGEROUS ONE, BOTH WHEN TRYING TO SPEED UP FROM ROLLING START OR WHEN PASSING/ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN, TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER. I HOPE THIS WILL HELP BUT MOST OTHER OWNERS REPORTING SIMILAR ISSUES SAY THESE ARE NOT FIXES AND PROBLEMS RECUR. WILL REPORT BACK. BEYOND THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE, OUR HOOD ALSO BUFFETS SIGNIFICANTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT VISIBLY SHAKES AND WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE AND IT WASN'T DANGEROUS. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DECELERATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,402. UPDATED 11/26/13*CN ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. ALSO, THE ROOF WAS LOOSE, DUE TO THE MOLDING NOT HOLDING THE CLIP IN PLACE. UPDATED 12/02/13
Structure, Sep 2, 2013
THE HOOD OF THE 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHAKES/VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS WORKED ON AT TWO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE BUMPERS UNDER THE HOOD, BUT THIS DID NOT STOP THE SHAKING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND NISSAN CORPORATE SAY THEY HAVE SPOKEN TO THEIR TECH LINE WHICH HAS NO OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIONS, SO AS IT STANDS I AM STUCK WITH A HOOD THAT SHAKES. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN AS I FEEL THE HOOD SHOULD BE SECURE ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVEN AT 65-70 MPH. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE THAT HAS A HOOD THAT SHAKES AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONFIDENT THAT THE HOOD OF THIS VEHICLE IS SECURELY PLACED AND DOES NOT MOVE WHEN BEING DRIVEN. *JS
Power train, Visibility, Air bags, Structure, Tires, Equipment, Jul 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. WHEN A 100 POUND PERSON OCCUPIED THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE WEIGHT HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WOULD RECOGNIZE THE WEIGHT OF A 140 POUND PERSON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:13V069000(AIR BAGS), BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,866. UPDATE 4/7/14 VA THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS VEHICLE IS A LEMON IN ACCORDANCE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS; C.90 SEC. 7N1/2). SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FAILURE A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR REPAIRS FOR A TOTAL OF 45 BUSINESS DAYS. FAILURES ALSO INCLUDE REAR HATCH SCRAPED AGAINST THE BODY AND SPOILER CONTACTS THE ROOF WHEN OPENING/CLOSING, VEHICLE SHUDDERED AROUND 16 MILES PER HOUR, LOSS OF AIR FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, DRIVER'S WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE, VEHICLE SHUDDERED BETWEEN 12 AND 20 MPH, AND THE CLIMATE CONTROL ON DRIVER'S SIDE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. UPDATED 04/9/2014 *JS
Structure, Jul 3, 2013
WHEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED, THE HOOD OF THE CAR VIBRATES SIGNIFICANTLY. IT FEELS LIKE THE HOOD MAY FLIP UP AT ANY TIME. DOUBLE-CHECKED TO BE SURE THE HOOD WAS LOCKED AND IT WAS. *TR
Structure, May 23, 2013
ANY ITEMS ON THE FLOOR OF THE CENTER/BACK SEATING SECTION CAN SHIFT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE ITEMS CAN TRAVEL UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AND WEDGE UNDER THE BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. THERE IS NOTHING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT TO PREVENT ITEMS FROM REACHING THE DRIVERS FOOT AREA. ON ONE OCCASION A WATER BOTTLE WEDGED UNDER THE GAS PEDAL WHILE ENTERING A 70 MILE PER HOUR HIGHWAY. THE BOTTLE HAD TRAVELED UNDER THE SEAT WHEN THE CAR WAS GOING AROUND THE CURVED ONRAMP. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, AND I TRY TO KEEP THE KIDS FROM PUTTING STUFF ON THE FLOOR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Wheels, Mar 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE HAD BECOME DEFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDER-CARRIAGE AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD BE SENT TO FURTHER ACCESS THE FAILURE BECAUSE A COMPONENT HAD FRACTURED UNDER THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE RIM TO BECOME SHREDDED AND THE BRAKE LINES TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AN INVESTIGATION WAS PENDING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 1,400. *TR