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
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2016
MY PATHFINDER IS PREOWNED BY A LEASING COMPANY BUT I HAVE NOTICED FOR THE LAST YEAR THAT THE ENGINE SHUDDERS DURING ACCELERATION ON THE HIGHWAY AND/OR INCREASING MORE OFTEN ON ROADS WHEN I'M GOING TO ACCELERATE. I LET UP ON ACCELERATION AND THEN CONTINUE TO GET IT TO A DIFFERENT SPEED THEN PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR AND TYPICALLY IT RESOLVES ITSELF BUT COULD BE VERY UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH OTHERS AS WELL. MY INTERIOR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ALSO BROKE (OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE REGARDING DRIVER SIDE). THE DOOR HANDLE SIMPLY QUIT WORKING AND APPEARS TO HAVE NO RESISTANCE. VERY UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF POWER IS LOST FROM THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2016
THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILED. UPON REGULAR USE (I.E., NO PULLING, TWISTING, EXCESSIVE FORCE) IT FAILED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND MADE A CRUNCHING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE DRIVER DOOR IS TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN AND PULL THE EXTERIOR HANDLE. THE INTERIOR HANDLE MOVES BUT DOES NOT ENGAGE THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE IF THE POWER IS OFF. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE (DOWN TO THE "CRUNCHING NOISE" DETAIL) ON VARIOUS PATHFINDER OWNER FORUMS ONLINE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2016
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND LOOSE DUE TO INTERNAL PART IS FROM PLASTIC. IT REALLY DISTURBS WHILE DRIVING AND CAN CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. TEMPORARILY I PUT THIS ON THE SIDE SO WONT BLOCK MY VISION BUT THIS IS NOT GOOD SOLUTION ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE DRIVING FACING THE SUN. I'VE HEARD MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IN INTERNET AND NISSAN SHOULD DO RECALL FOR THIS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CAUSING MANY ACCIDENTS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2016
THE DRIVER'S INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MALFUNCTIONED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY. MANY COMPLAINTS EXIST FOR THIS ISSUE. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, BUT I HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN CAR FROM OUTSIDE. IF LOST POWER I COULD NOT DO THAT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 7, 2016
I AM DRIVING MY 2013 PATHFINDER AND FROM TIME TO TIME, ON THE HIGHWAY OR LOCAL ROADS, EVEN AT TAKE OFF I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE REVS DO NOT RISE, THE TRUCK DOES NOT ACCELERATE. I CAN PUT THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. IT HAPPENS ROUGHLY ONCE EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I LET GO THE ACCELERATOR AND PRESS IT AGAIN AND IT IS BACK TO NORMAL. THE TRUCK IS WARM EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS, SO I CANT SAY IT IS BECAUSE I AM DRIVING THE ENGINE COLD.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 13, 2016
A FEW THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WITH MY 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW FEB 2013 AND THE ISSUES STARED RIGHT AWAY. THE ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IS THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT FEELS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL ALL OF THE SUDDEN. I WILL PRESS THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING. WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC OR JUST TURNING PERIOD, IT DOES THE SAME THING. IT IS VERY SCARY. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMS THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM OR DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS I WAS DESCRIBING. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS THE VEHICLE AGES. JUST THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN NOT ONLY WAS I EXPERIENCING THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH BUT MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T ENGAGE (I THOUGHT MAYBE THIS WOULD HELP KEEP THE CAR AT THE RIGHT SPEED) BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN ON . THEN THE ABS & VDC LIGHTS TURNED ON. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ON. NEXT TIME I TRIED THE CRUISE CONTROL IT WORKED. ANOTHER THING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IS MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, NOT EVERY TIME BUT MANY TIMES AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES I DIDN'T CATCH IT. JUST THIS MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THE BATTERY IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. I'M THINKING THESE LIGHTS STAYED ON ALL NIGHT. BEFORE TRYING TO JUMP-START MY BATTERY, WITH THE VEHICLE OFF, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FAR RIGHT OF THE ENGINE. WE WERE ABLE TO JUMP START MY CAR AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE TODAY SO FAR BUT I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER, YET AGAIN, FOR THESE ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2015
WHILE PARKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SEAL. OVER THE NEXT DAY, EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS STOPPED AFTER DRIVING, THE CRACK SPREAD SIGNIFICANTLY. WHEN I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD, NOT COVERED BY NISSAN'S 3 YEAR-36,000 MILE WARRANTY- I FOUND OUT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH NISSANS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 15, 2015
MY PATHFINDER HAS ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE AND IS STILL HAVING ISSUES. SINCE THIS PAST THURSDAY, IT HAS BEEN HESITATING OR FEELING LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN IT IS IN DRIVE. I TOOK NOTE OF THE LATEST ONE TODAY. I WAS STOPPED (ON A MAJOR STREET) WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS. IT DID, AND I ACCELERATED TO TURN LEFT AND THE CAR FELT LIKE I HAD PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. IT WAS SLOWLY ROLLING BUT NOT ACCELERATING AS I CROSSED OVER THE ON-COMING LANE AND CONTINUED WITH MY LEFT TURN. I CHECK TO SEE IF IT WAS IN DRIVE (IT WAS) AND CHECKED THE SPEED (20MPH) BECAUSE I HAD BROUGHT IT IN LAST WEEK WHEN IT DID IT THE FIRST THREE TIMES, AND THEY ASKED ME WHAT SPEED I WAS GOING WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE TIME PRIOR TO THAT I WAS CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY (INFRONT OF A LARGE TRUCK) AT ABOUT 50 MPH AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE, I GOT THE SAME FEELING. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! THE TIME PRIOR TO THAT, I HAD BEEN AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I CROSSED OVER THE FIRST SECTION OF THE RED LIGHT THEN TURNED LEFT AND ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT IT (AGAIN) FELT LIKE I HAD THROWN IT INTO NEUTRAL. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR A SECOND TO LET OTHER CARS PASS IN CASE IT STALLED ON ME. THE FIRST TIME WAS JUST WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS ME EXTREMELY SCARED AS IN TWO OF THE SITUATIONS, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I COULDN'T ACCELERATE TO MOVE AND A CAR PLOWED INTO ME.
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT WIRES ALONG WITH PROTECTIVE RUBBER AND FOAM HAD BEEN CHEWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2013
ON JUNE 15, 2013 MY VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I TOOK IN INTO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DAY. THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER SO THEY REPLACED IT. THEY CALLED ME 2 WEEKS LATER TO COME GET MY VEHICLE. WITHIN THE FIRST DAY HAVING IT BACK IT WAS SHACKING EVEN WORSE LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. IT SCARED ME. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AGAIN THEY CAME AND PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP HAD MY VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER'S WERE REPORTING ISSUES WITH THEM AND I WAS TOLD I WASN'T THE ONLY OWNER GOING THROUGH THIS PROBLEM. I SHOULD CALL THE CORPORATE NISSAN OFFICE AND START A CLAIM. I DID SO THAT DAY. I GOT A CALL SAYING MY CAR WAS READY AND THEY WOULD DROP IT OFF TO ME. AFTER TWO DAYS OF HAVING MY VEHICLE I HAD PROBLEM'S ONCE AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING UP ONTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A INCLINE. MY ENGINE MADE THE NOISE LIKE IT WAS REARING UP I TRIED IT 3 TIMES PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL AND STILL NOTHING. SO, I PUT IT IN PARK AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY, THEY TEST DROVE IT AND FOUND NO PROBLEM'S WITH IT. MEANWHILE I HAD A OPEN CASE WITH NISSAN TO TRY AND BUY BACK MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE IN IT WITH MY 3 CHILDREN. I HEARD BACK A COUPLE DAYS AGO THAT MY REQUEST HAD BEEN DENIED. THEY HAVE OFFERED ME 2 MORE YEARS EXTENSION ON MY TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED. THIS WILL BE MY 3RD NISSAN OWNING AND THIS IS THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAVE EVER HAD. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THIS MATTER. I SPEND A LOT OF MONEY FOR A VEHICLE AND I EXPECT TO NOT GET A LEMON. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF MY VEHICLE SINCE JUNE 15 PRETTY MUCH. I DON'T WANT TO GET STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE IS NOT RELIABLE.