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At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 15 recalls, 888 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder.
21 mpg combined
11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2013 Pathfinder centers on the powertrain, specifically the continuously variable transmission (CVT), which accounts for the largest share of owner reports by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe the CVT shuddering, jerking, or hesitating during acceleration, particularly when pulling away from a stop or at highway speeds. Many report the transmission deteriorating progressively before failing outright, leaving the vehicle unable to move. Airbags represent the second most-reported system, with a notable volume of complaints, though the CVT concerns clearly dominate the complaint picture. A recurring theme in the transmission reports is that failures occur across a range of mileages, and owners consistently describe being stranded when the unit gives out completely.
888
Total Complaints
16
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has 15 recalls, the most serious being multiple issues where the hood can fly open while driving and block the driver's view entirely, and separate brake defects where a front brake component can crack and fail, reducing stopping ability.
The hood concerns stem from a few related problems: the secondary latch can stick open due to dirt buildup, can remain unlatched when the hood is closed, or can otherwise fail to hold, any of which allows the hood to open suddenly at speed. On the brake side, a front brake caliper mounting bracket may also fail and cause loss of vehicle control.
The transmission has a recall involving a CVT fluid cooler hose that can detach and leak fluid, causing the transmission to stop working properly and the vehicle to lose acceleration.
Three separate recalls address the brake light switch, which can cycle on and off repeatedly until the relay sticks and the brake lights stay on permanently. This can mask actual braking from drivers behind, and in some cases the vehicle may be shifted out of park or started without pressing the brake pedal. A related recall notes that brake override activation may prevent normal acceleration.
The passenger seat sensor appears in multiple recalls: it can misclassify an adult as a child or empty seat, suppressing the front passenger airbag in a crash. Prior repair attempts using an incorrect replacement part did not fully resolve this issue for some vehicles.
At a glance
What can fail
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dirt can accumulate in the secondary hood latch, causing it to stick open. If the primary latch is then released, the hood may suddenly open while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary hood latch to prevent dirt buildup and sticking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may fail to secure properly and remain unlatched even when the hood is closed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The stop lamp switch may be incorrectly installed. Over time, the stop lamp relay can fail and stick on, reducing engine power, keeping brake lights on, and allowing the vehicle to start and shift into gear without pressing the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the stop lamp switch and relay. If the relay was already removed during prior service, no action is needed. Otherwise, dealers will adjust the switch and replace the relay.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake light switch location causes its relay to repeatedly open and close. Over time, the relay can stick in the ON position, keeping brake lights on even when brakes aren't applied. This may also disable the brake-shift interlock, allowing the vehicle to shift out of Park without pressing the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake light switch and re-position it or swap it with the ASCD switch as needed. The brake light relay will be replaced with a new one. All repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake light switch may be installed incorrectly, causing the relay to make intermittent contact and cycle repeatedly. This can leave brake lights on even when brakes aren't applied, and may allow shifting out of Park without pressing the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake light switch and replace the relay as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The stop lamp switch may not be properly installed, causing intermittent contact. Over time, the stop lamp relay can stick on, keeping brake lights continuously lit and potentially disabling the brake-shifter interlock, which could allow the vehicle to shift out of park.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the stop lamp switch installation. If misaligned, they will reposition it and replace the stop lamp relay.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The occupant classification system may incorrectly identify an adult in the front passenger seat as a child or empty seat, causing the airbag to not deploy in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant classification system control units to correct the identification logic.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The occupant classification system control unit may incorrectly identify the front passenger seat as empty when an adult is sitting in it.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the occupant classification system software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood release cable may be installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the latch from fully engaging. The hood's secondary latch could remain open even when the hood is closed.
What the fix does
Dealers will adjust the hood release mechanism angle to add cable length, ensuring proper latch engagement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission oil cooler hose may detach because the clamps holding it lack sufficient clamping force, causing transmission fluid to leak and the malfunction indicator light to illuminate.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the hose attachment to secure it properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission fluid hose inside the oil cooler may come loose because the clamp holding it isn't tight enough, causing transmission fluid to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a repair kit on the oil hose at no cost to fix the clamp and prevent leaks.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During light braking on rough roads, the antilock brake system software may cause the brakes to require a longer distance to stop the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the antilock brake system software at no cost to restore normal braking performance.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake caliper mounting brackets may have been made incorrectly and could fail, causing loss of vehicle control and longer stopping distances.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front brake caliper mounting brackets and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake torque member was improperly cast, creating structural weakness that can lead to premature failure and cracking.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the manufacturing date of the torque members and replace them as necessary at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
