VehicleVerdict

2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,208 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.7 times the median Pathfinder year — the 2013 model ranks #3 of 40 Pathfinder years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 30 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 371 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,208

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

4

Investigations

26

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

30

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Pathfinder years?

See all Pathfinder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission37131%
Airbags17815%
Other1119%
Engine1109%
Body & Structure847%
Brakes676%
Electrical System615%
Visibility & Wipers555%
Speed Control474%
Suspension292%
Fuel System262%
Steering131%
Lighting131%
Seat Belts131%
Seats121%
Tires & Wheels111%
Latches & Locks40%
Driver Assistance20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V420000Latches & LocksJune 13, 2022 · 322,671 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

21V020000LightingJanuary 20, 2021 · 264,431 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V380000LightingMay 31, 2016 · 79,853 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V244000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

15V681000AirbagsOctober 20, 2015 · 919 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

15V033000Body & StructureJanuary 26, 2015 · 170,665 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

14V142000TransmissionMarch 26, 2014 · 3,065 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

14V138000Electrical SystemMarch 25, 2014 · 989,701 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

13V445000Electrical SystemOctober 17, 2013 · 151,695 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

13V139000BrakesApril 12, 2013 · 19,258 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

13V069000AirbagsMarch 1, 2013 · 82,038 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CVT TRANSMISSION REPLACED 5/2016, ACCIDENT- 6/21/2018 UNABLE TO STOP HITTING AN ANIMAL. REPLACED FOR 2ND TIME 8/2018 TOLD 7/2019 NEEDS REPLACED FOR 3RD TIME TOLD 11/2018 BY NISSAN DEALER NOT TRANSMISSION. GOING UPHILLS OR GETTING ON HIGHWAY RAMP ACCELERATING SUDDEN DECELERATION IMPOSING SERIOUS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 2, 2018 · crash

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 20 TO 25 MPH BUT WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE BRAKE DID NOT STOPPED THE CAR AND THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT MY SELF AND MY GIRL FRIEND GOT INJURED AND WE HAD TO GO FOR CRAYAPRATOR FOR LONG TIME THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AT ALL NORTH AMERICAN NISSAN IS NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH ME NOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 11, 2013 · crash

Hood latch failed. Yes, available for inspection upon request. Hood opened, hit and then shattered windshield while driving on busy road. Received recall notice from Nissan about faulty hood latch. Service tech at window repair company noted good safety latch looked very loose. Was looked at by the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 19, 2022

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 20 TO 25 MPH BUT WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE THE BRAKE DID NOT STOPPED THE CAR AND THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT MY SELF AND MY GIRL FRIEND GOT INJURED AND WE HAD TO GO FOR CRAYAPRATOR FOR LONG TIME THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AT ALL NORTH AMERICAN NISSAN IS NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH ME NOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 11, 2013 · crash

CONCERNING THE 2ND ROW DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE: THE INTERIOR HANDLE IS "STICKING" OPEN SUCH THAT THE DOOR DOES NOT FULLY CLOSE, AND AT ONE POINT OPENED ENTIRELY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE INTERIOR HANDLE MUST BE MANUALLY PRESSED DOWN AND THE DOOR TESTED FROM THE EXTERIOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 18, 2016

2013 Nissan Pathfinder — common questions

Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,208 complaints put the 2013 model at #3 of 40 Pathfinder years. It is one of the Pathfinder years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Pathfinder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (371 complaints), airbags (178 complaints), other (111 complaints).

Does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Pathfinder years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pathfinder years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, 2008, 2015, 2001, 1997, 2017, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2022, 1998, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Pathfinder years belongs to 1986.

How safe is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.