2018 Nissan Pathfinder

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Service brakes is the leading concern among 77 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 77

Of the 2018 reports, 3 involved a crash. 2 people were injured.

Primary concernService brakes20 reports · 26% of complaints
Owner complaints77Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Service brakes20
  2. Other or unspecified17
  3. Electrical system13
  4. Engine13
  5. Power train12
  6. Vehicle speed control9
  7. Electronic stability control (ESC)6
  8. Steering6

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipPark outsideNov 8, 2019

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

    A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

    Campaign 19V807000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 12, 2019

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

    Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

    Campaign 19V654000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipPark outsideSep 7, 2018

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

    A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

    Campaign 18V601000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: service brakes

20 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 27, 2024

    While driving the car it randomly turns off and turns back on it also jerks initially. All lights on the dashboard turn off and back on, speakers make a loud BOOM sound! Have experienced the car not starting. Bought a new battery thinking that was the issue, it wasn't.

  2. Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 25, 2023

    Front collision shuts off intermittently for no reason. Causes cruise control to shut off immediately and disabled collision avoidance breaking. If cruise is on and approaching slower vehicle car will not slow down causing driver to break aggressively.

  3. Service brakes, Apr 13, 2023

    The stop lamp switch has become contaminated with silicon off-gassing from silicon-based grease used in surrounding components in close proximity. This is causing the car to not start, not able to switch gears, and break light is not turning on.

  4. Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 22, 2022

    ABS Light comes on and stays on...Checking for recalls seeing if our vehicle could have same problem with brake fluid leaking on internal circuit board and possible fire danger. Also, several times our PATHFINDER will lose power or act as if you have shifted the transmission into neutral. This has happened at speeds from 30mph to 60 mph. Stalls and then after a few seconds it will resume speed.

  5. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 9, 2022

    The entire braking system failed without warning! My 25 year old daughter was coming up to a busy intersection that usually has semi-trucks and when she went to break the breaks failed and the pedal went to the floor. I found out that there was a recall on the Nissan Pathfinder emergency breaking system and asked Nissan as was directed on their website to immediatly tow the car to the nearest Nissan dealership to get repaired. They refused! I was on the phone with them for 5 hours telling them that they had to come get their car the ABS light had been on and the car was a risk to our family, home and community as we lived on a main street. They refused. My husband got the car to Nissan. I have since have talked to Nissan and Nissan dealership for over 12 hours. This car also has a major transmission defect that Nissan dealership denies. They said the car is find even though I told them that my husband and I both notice the car slipping. We have 10 children, 8 that still living with us including 2 disabled children. We have asked Nissan to buy back this recalled, defective car and I was told to come pick it up at the dealership tomorrow and turn back in the rental car that they fixed it as much as they would. They did nothing to the transmission, and the Transmission has extended warranty. They know it has a defective part on it and have refused to fix it and said it was fine, even though they know the car could just shut down and shake violently when I am on the way to take my daughter to Boston from Ohio for her healthcare conditions. Upon getting my car to the shop the dealership stated the Calibers were bad, the rotors were bad, the front break pads were pad, and this was all on top of the recall on this car. Nissan needs to buy back there defective car immediately and Hertz should never have sold us this car with these know defects. Nissan informed us that Hertz car sales knew about the defects before selling us this car. Please Help us with inspection!

  6. Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, May 24, 2021

    ABS Warning light, traction control warning light, and emergency break warning light intermittently keeps coming home

  7. Service brakes, Mar 22, 2021

    VEHICLE HAD NISSAN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) ACTUATOR SAFETY RECALL REPAIRED ON 3/12/21. TEN MINUTES AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP ABS WARNING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AGAIN AND CONTINUE TO COME ON, NOT EVERY TRIP, BUT SEVERAL TIMES PER WEEK. OBVIOUSLY, THE REPAIR HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS SAFETY ISSUE COMPLETELY. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 47,000 MILES ON IT. *JS

  8. Service brakes, Feb 2, 2021

    2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE WHILE HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE RENTAL WHILE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER DECLINED HONOR THE DEAL STATING THAT THE PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS LEFT WITH THE BILL FOR THE RENTAL. *JS

  9. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 17, 2020

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V807000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FUTURE NISSAN OF ROSEVILLE (600 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661, (916) 547-2242) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. DT CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL THE COMPLAINT.*JB

  10. Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 26, 2020

    THE COLLISION DETECTION RADAR SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE AUTOMATED BRAKING SYSTEM AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS FAILING. THE RADAR SENSOR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. *TR

  11. Service brakes, Dec 9, 2019

    I KEEP GETTING A WARNING FLASHES ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM: 'FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION.' THE SENSOR FREQUENTLY DEACTIVATE ITSELF, DISABLING CRUISE CONTROL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. THE SYMBOL LOOKS LIKE A CRASH IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION AND NO OTHER CARS ARE AROUND, AND WHILE OTHER CARS ARE AROUND AND ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.

  12. Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 25, 2019, crash

    I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING ON A BACK ROAD, THERE WAS A GUARDRAIL TO MY LEFT AND AND A TRUCK WITH A TRAILER TURNING IN FRONT OF ME ON MY RIGHT. MY SENSORS MUST HAVE THOUGHT THEY WERE TOO CLOSE BECAUSE MY CAR LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN CAUSING ME TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL.

  13. Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 23, 2019

    PATHFINDER FORWARD COLLISION WARNING WHEN DRIVING ON BRIDGE OR ANY ROAD SIGN ANYTHING ABOVE THE ROAD I AM GETTING WARNING, I COMPLAINED SO MANY TIME BUT NO CHANGES AND ISSUE STILL EXIST, IT'S KEEP HAPPENING AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK VIDEO ATTACHED AS SAMPLE WHEN CROSSING BRIDGE AFTER KEEP GETTING WARNING IT WENT OFF MODE

  14. Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 9, 2019

    PURCHASED THE CAR IN JANUARY 2019 COMPLETE HOOD LATCH SYSTEM HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED IN FEBRUARY. THAT WAS MAJOR PROBLEM ONE. THE HOOD WOULDN'T CLOSE. PROBLEM 2. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR I GET AN ALERT THAT UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION. AS IF SOMETHING IS BLOCKING THE SENSOR. IT WILL BE A CLEAR DAY NOTHING IN MY WAY AND THIS POPS UP. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE CAR BREAK FOR NO REASON DUE TO THIS!!!!! NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND I WAS TOLD THE NEW SENSOR IS ON BACKORDER. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE! HOPING FOR A BUY BACK SO I CAN GET OUT OF THIS NIGHTMARE OF A CAR. ALSO THE CAR WILL ALWAYS BE IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE ALSO HAD IT WHERE THE CAR BEEPS AS IF I AM GOING TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THERE IS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME!

  15. Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 7, 2019

    FRONT COLLISION SENSOR NOT WORKING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BREAKING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED WARNING NOT WORKING VEHICLE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE

  16. Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 11, 2019

    ANTI COLLISION LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND BEEPING INTERMITTENTLY AND VEHICLE SEEMS TO JERK WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS. THERE IS NO OTHER VEHICLE AROUND ME. AND ANTI COLLISION LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL VEHICLES IS TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN 1 WEAK .DRIVING FREEWAY 2 TIMES 1 CITY DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD. AND WHEN VEHICLES JERKS AFRAID IT JUST WANTS TO JUST STOP IN MOTION WERE I'M AT BUT DOESN'T.

  17. Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 5, 2019

    THE FRONT RADAR SAFETY FEATURE DEACTIVATES AND THE AMBER FRONT COLLISION WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THE SPEED CONTROL FEATURE IS DISABLED WHEN THE RADAR IS NOT ACTIVE. WHEN THE SYSTEM FINALLY KICKS IN THE SPEED CONTROL SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. THE SUDDEN ON/OFF SCENARIO IS DANGEROUS AND WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE IS NOW ACTUALLY A HAZARD. A CAR SHOULD NOT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED CONTROL LIMIT 10-15 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS SET.

  18. Service brakes, Jun 28, 2019

    FAULTY RADAR ON MY NISSAN PATHFINDER IS COMPROMISING MY EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. IT FREQUENTLY DEACTIVATES ITSELF THEREBY DISABLING MY CRUISE CONTROL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. A WARNING FLASHES ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM: FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE. IN MY VIEW THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM IS UNRELIABLE. A RECALL AND A FIX SHOULD BE ORDERED.

  19. Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 29, 2019

    FRONT RADAR MODULAR INTERMITTENTLY UNAVAILABLE. ARTICLE FOUND STATING NISSAN WAS WORKING ON A FIX, IS IT AVAILABLE YET? 2 DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND AN AGENT AT NISSAN USA KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL ON, SUDDENLY IT SHUTS OFF AND A MESSAGE ON SCREEN STATES, UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION. 2-15 MINUTES LATER IT ALLOWS START UP AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO BE TOTALLY RANDOM. HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES ON A 2500 MILE TRIP.

  20. Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 13, 2019

    THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM (USED FOR AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING) INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES ON IT'S OWN EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN ON 11/5/2018 HOWEVER IS PENDING A RESOLUTION. THIS ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON 10/25/18.