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: other or unspecified
110 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2021
My hood has popped opened while driving.
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2021
2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER PASSENGER SUN VISOR WON'T STAY UP. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS OR COULD THIS BE A SAFETY COMPLAINT?
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM TRANSMISSION SHAKES BADLY WHEN PICK UP
Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2021
MY CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2021
THE PATHFINDER WAS RECALLED DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE SETTLEMENT HAD BEEN SETTLED. SO I CALLED THE COMPANY DIRECTLY AND FOUND OUT THAT THE PATHFINDER HAD NOT EVER BEEN CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. SO NO ONE WANTED TO HELP ME. SO WE HAD TAKEN THE PATHFINDER IN BEFORE I KNEW OF THE RECALL DUE TO TRANSMISSION LEAKING. HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. SO LAST MONTH I HAD TO COME UP WITH MONEY TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION PUT IN. BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN PARK AND DRIVE. NO TAKE IN CONSIDERATION I HAD CONTACTED NISSAN DIRECTLY AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING AND KNEW THIS YEAR HAD JUST SETTLED A CIVIL LAWSUIT. SO I NEED HELP WITH BEING REIMBURSED BY NISSAN. THERE WAS AS IF, IT WAS STUCK IN LOW GEAR, HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN STARTED, HESITATED WHEN LEAVING A STOP LIGHT, DIFFICULT TIME PICKING UP SPEED, CONSTANTLY LEAKING TRANSMISSION LIQUID, HIGH PITCH NOICE WHEN WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND JERKING AS WHEN IT WAS ON THE HIGH WAY TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS. HAD A PARTICULAR SMELL AT TIMES. EVEN CALLED CVT ABOUT THE PROBLEM. EVERYONE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WAS UNABLE TO ATTACH THE SECOND PAGE OF THE DOCUMENT. I CAN PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION WHEN WE FIRST TOOK IN THE PATHFINDER WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2020
WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR IT SHUDDERS AND SHAKES UNTIL AROUND 50 MPH
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2020
BOTH SUN VISORS BROKE APPROXIMATELY 3 AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. OVER TIME THE VISORS HAVE DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DRIVERS LINE OF VISION. IT IS DISTRACTING AND PREVENTS FULL RANGE OF VISION. I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TOO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2020
MY CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET, WHEN I STOPPED BY MY MAILBOX, AND COULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR, BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT HOW TO TEMPORARILY GET IT OUT OF PARK, SO I COULD DRIVE MY CAR TO THE NISSAN REPAIR SHOP.THE WHOLE SHIFT ASSEMBLY WAS CHANGED FOR $900. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 23, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION IS JUDDERING
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2020
REAR TAILGATE WILL NOT OPEN DUE TO MALFUNCTION IN OUTSIDE SWITCH WHEN PARKED
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 31, 2020
2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER 44,424 MILES. PART 621-586 RAD FAN ASSEMBLY/COOKING FAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE MAKES LOUD ROARING NOISE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT IS TURNED ON. VEHICLE SHAKES WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY AND HIGHWAY STREETS.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 4, 2020
SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE AND DROOPS AND OBSTRUCTS VIEW WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS OBSTRUCTS VIEW AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH. THE SAME HAPPENS TO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THE PROBLEM TO BE PREVALENT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2020
DOOR HANDLES RANDOMLY BRAKE. THIS HAS HAPPEND WITH 2 DOOR HANDLES WHICH I REPLACED PRETTY CLOSE IN TIME TO EACH OTHER BUT REGULAR USE AND NOTHING ROUGH WITH THEM. IF WE HAVE TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY LIKE AN ACCIDENT THE DOOR HANDLES AREN'T RELIABLE. FROM THE INSIDE YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR BUT IF YOUR CAR ISN'T OPERABLE YOU CANT REACH OUTSIDE TO OPEN IT.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2019
BOTH SUN VISORS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT GO UP AND HANG DOWN DUE TO A DEFECT. THIS BLOCKS THE VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AS IF YOU WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE PERSON WOULD GET INJURED BY THE VISOR HANGING DOWN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN MENTIONED ONLINE BY MANY NISSAN OWNERS AND NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER. I RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $430.84 TO GET THEM REPLACED. WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY VISORS WERE LIKE THIS WAS WHEN. I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM THE NISSAN GARAGE AS THEY WERE FIXING A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. I TRIED TO PUSH UP AND THEY WOULD JUST FALL DOWN AGAIN. NOTHING I DID TO CAUSE THIS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2019
SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY UP ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. IT FALLS DURING DRIVING, SUDDENLY REDUCING VISIBILITY AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO FALLS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON 2013-2016 MODELS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2019
TOOK MY 2013 NISSAN TO TO BEN MYNARTT NISSAN TO SEE THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR THAT WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN I AM DRIVING. WES IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME HE COULD ORDER ME ONE FOR 200+ DOLLARS. I TOLD WES THIS IS NO FAULT OF MINE AND THAT I WOULD CONTACT THE NISSAN HEADQUARTERS. I CONTACTED NISSAN'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS IN FRANKLIN, TN AND KATRINA WITH THE COMPANY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WAS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO REPAIR AN AUTO DEFECT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING YOUTUBE VIDEOS. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=-OJQZBHNU2E HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=IKD18CMKVFA
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY 13 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN I WENT TO PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR IT JOLTED FORWARD AND THEN I LOST ALL POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR. HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I TRIED TO TURN IT OFF AND IT WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. THANKFULLY MY FIANC JUMPED THE CAR. ALTHOUGH IT WAS JERKING IN A LOW GEAR, I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WHICH WASN'T FAR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR IS MADE POORLY. DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR DOES NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. WHILE DRIVING IT HAS FALLING PROHIBITING VISIBILITY CONSTANTLY. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM THE 2013 TO 2018 PATHFINDERS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2019
SUNVISORS WILL NOT STAY CORRECTLY IN A SECURE POSITION. THIS CAN BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. IT WILL DROP DOWN AND BLOCK VIEW. THE VISOR DOES NOT SERVE THE INTENDED PURPOSE OF BLOCKING THE SUN DUE TO NOT STAYING IN THE POSITION TO BLOCK THE SUN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS TOTALLY IGNORED RECALLING FOR THE CONSUMER. IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE HAVING A SERIOUS WRECK TO GET THEIR ATTENTION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2019
MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED RESPONDING TWICE TO ACCELERATION. I PRESS THE PEDDLE AND NOTHING CHANGES AND RPMS REMAIN AT 2000. AFTER 15 MINUTES CAR BEGAN RESPONDING AGAIN. FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH IN CITY. SECOND OCCURED ON HWY TRAVELLING 60MPH AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF DRIVING. TWO INCIDENCES HAPPENED A MONTH APART. VEHICLE HAS 95K MILES ON IT. VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL ISSUES BUT THIS ONE HAS BEEN THE MOST DANGEROUS CONSIDERING I DO LIVE IN A CITY AND NEED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2019
SUN VISORS ON DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DROP DOWN UNEXPECTANTLY, MECHANISM INSIDE OF THE VISOR IS BROKEN AND UNREPAIRABLE. RESTRICTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER, WHILE NO LONGER ABLE TO BLOCK THE SUN WHILE DRIVING. HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS. DRIVERS SIDE VISOR BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE RODE PUT VISOR DOWN. WOULD NOT STAY IN PLACE BUT INSTEAD BLOCKED THE VISIBILITY WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE.
Other or unspecified, May 14, 2019
PATHFINDER WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE PARK POSITION. IT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2019
THE SUN VISORS ON BOTH SIDES ARE BROKE IN PIECES THAT THEY WON'T STAY UP.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2019
VISOR CLIP BROKE OBSTRUCTING VIEW.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2019
DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE MY WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING BECAUSE OF HEAVY SNOW. THEY WERE REPAIRED AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO DRIVE IN THE SHOULDER SO I COULD FOLLOW THE WHITE LINE. AGAIN ON A CITY STREET IN HEAVY SNOW MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND WERE REPAIRED AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. TODAY, AGAIN MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY SNOW ON A CITY STREET. NONE OF THE TIMES WERE FROM SNOW FROM THE TOP OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD CLEARED THAT OFF BEFORE DRIVING.