2013 Nissan Pathfinder

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Pathfinder Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 1986: 1 complaints 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 38 complaints 1991: 39 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 49 complaints 1994: 91 complaints 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1996 1997: 217 complaints 1998: 149 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 112 complaints 2001: 230 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 110 complaints 2004: 67 complaints 2005: 1050 complaints 2006: 837 complaints 2006 2007: 561 complaints 2008: 328 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2011: 45 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2013: 889 complaints 2013 2014: 573 complaints 2015: 318 complaints 2016: 103 complaints 2016 2017: 183 complaints 2018: 76 complaints 2019: 73 complaints 2020: 50 complaints 2022: 133 complaints 2022 2023: 97 complaints 2024: 68 complaints 2025: 42 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
2013: 889 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
198719
198817
198915
199038
199139
199230
199349
199491
1995170
1996159
1997217
1998149
1999104
2000112
2001230
2002156
2003110
200467
20051050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013889
2014573
2015318
2016103
2017183
201876
201973
202050
2022133
202397
202468
202542
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 41%

41% of complaints: power train — 368 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190805

AIR BAGS 20%

20% of complaints: air bags — 176 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO HIS COLLISION THE VEHICLE WOULD DISPLAY 'AIR BAGS DEPLOYED' MESSAGE AS WELL AS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS OFF WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN OCCUPIED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200221

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT. RECALL RECEIVED 2 HOURS LATER. NISSAN SAYS PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT DID NOT CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE THEM? *TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130630

Hi, in 2018, Nissan replaced the passenger occupancy module as part of a recall. That module has now gone bad again (~5 years), and Nissan is charging its customers to replace.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230911

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 105 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 62 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT. RECALL RECEIVED 2 HOURS LATER. NISSAN SAYS PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT DID NOT CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. WHY SHOULD I BELIEVE THEM? *TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130630

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER(N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND WOULD NOT STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121217

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 61 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2013 — complaint volume: 889
R 20130506 — air bags

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 o

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 1-8

Campaign 13V069000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130520 — service brakes

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

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

Campaign 13V139000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130829 — PE (closed 20140331)

Transmission cooler hose separation

R 20131118 — electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic

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, 2

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.

Campaign 13V445000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140414 — air bags, electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 14V138000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140512 — power train

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).

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.

Campaign 14V142000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150309 — structure

Nissan North America, Inc.

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.

Campaign 15V033000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150318 — RQ (closed 20150901)

Occupant Classification System Failure

I 20150831 — EA (closed 20170502)

Occupant Classification System Failure

R 20151130 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 15V681000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160610 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.

Campaign 16V244000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160725 — exterior lighting

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to June 13, 2013.

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.

Campaign 16V380000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210301 — exterior lighting

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.

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.

Campaign 21V020000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211209 — PE (closed 20220708)

Hood Latch/Bell Crank Assembly

R 20250326 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

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.

Campaign 22V420000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (368 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (176 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (105 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V069000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V139000 (service brakes) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V445000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V138000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V142000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V033000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V681000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V244000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V380000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V020000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V420000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1992 ▲ 2009 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2006 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.