This page covers 2 recalls, 93 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder.
23 mpg combined
10.2 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.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake and fuel/propulsion complaints dominate what 2023 Pathfinder owners report. On the brake side, the most common pattern is premature rear brake pad wear, with multiple owners describing pads worn down to near nothing well before typical service intervals, often without any warning light triggering. On the propulsion side, owners frequently report the vehicle becoming unresponsive or dropping into neutral during driving, several specifically tie this to the auto stop-start system, describing situations where the engine fails to restart normally after an idle-stop event, leaving the vehicle in neutral when they press the accelerator. The powertrain complaints follow a similar thread, with the transmission or drivetrain disengaging unexpectedly at highway speeds. A smaller but recurring pattern involves interior water intrusion traced to the sunroof drain system, with some owners reporting multiple flooding episodes.
93
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 recalls, both concerning the driver's seat frame, which can have inadequate welds that allow the seat to break free from its mounting bracket in a crash, reducing the protection the seatbelt and airbag system can provide.
The seat's powered adjustment mechanism may not be fully secured to the frame, and in a collision the welds holding the seat to its rear inboard bracket can fail. When the seat shifts or collapses, the driver is no longer properly positioned for the restraint system to work as intended.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's seat frame may have an improper weld that could cause it to break during a crash.
What the fix does
Nissan will mail you instructions to have a dealership inspect and replace the driver's seat frame if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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Driver Assistance
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 →
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's powered seat may not be fully secured to its frame. Welds connecting the seat frame to the rear inboard bracket can detach, causing the seat to become loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the driver's seat rail clearance and replace the driver's seat cushion frame if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
