KnownCarProblemsHome › Nissan › Pathfinder › 2013
2013 Nissan Pathfinder Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 890 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the transmission (42% of complaints, typically around 5,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Pathfinder model year since 2000 and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Transmission
370 complaints · 42%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
We have experienced intermittent problems with the vehicle shaking or vibrating while accelerating or decelerating, with temporary loss of power at low speed 10-20 MPH. This has occurred several times, even after the recall reprogram was done. The most recent occurrence happened twice may 17, 2013, ten days after…
The vehicle would shudder and shake violently at low speeds - 17 to 25 MPH. I was concerned that it would damage the vehicle and cause motor mounts and other parts to shake loose. I took the vehicle to a dealership in salisbury, md while I was on vacation and they said they could not duplicate the condition. They sent…
Air bags
177 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
My Pathfinder was recalled (14v-138) to fix the occupant classification system. I took the car in and it was "fixed." when my wife, who weighs about 112 pounds, sits in the right seat, the light comes on indicating that air bag is turned off. I called the dealer (abc Nissan in phoenix) and they said that the system is…
The airbag sensor indicator has come on with an adult over 150lbs in the passenger seat. This has happened several times and at different speeds. The adult was sitting correctly in the seat. I have taken it to the dealership three times. Told first time that since it can't be duplicated at the dealership, they can't…
Engine
110 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to shutter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the computer needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified…
There is a sudden juddering shake that lasts about 4 to 6 seconds driving around 25 miles per hour. I have experienced the shaking during turns and upon hills the transmission feels like driving a stickshift and you finally feel the gear kick in and the after making it uphill or stopping uphill. Vehicle drives smooth…
Other or unspecified
110 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles.
May 2017 the passenger side sun visor broke and was replaced by me. In july 2017 the mechanism on the driver's side sun visor broke and released unexpectedly while I was driving blocking my view of the road and causing me to abruptly swerve into oncoming traffic. The visor issue seems to be a common one with the 2013…
The driver's interior door handle malfunctioned, making it impossible to exit the vehicle quickly in an emergency. Many complaints exist for this issue. The car was stationary, but I have to put the window down to open car from outside. If lost power I could not do that.
Body and structure
83 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the driver and passenger sun visors fractured and drooped, making it difficult to see while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was recommended that the visors be replaced. The visors were replaced, but the failure recurred after…
Driver side visor has fallen 2-3 inches and passenger side has fallen 4-5 inches. This is a complete safety hazzard for visibility and one could be seriously injured should they have an accident as an airbag can not protect them from faulty interior parts of this vehicle. We noticed a slight issue just after purchase…
Brakes
66 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles.
When I attempt to drive the vehicle after a full stop, or when proceeding at a slow rate of speed, by applying pressure to the gas pedal, the car does not move. I have to lift my foot and reapply pressure to get the car to move forward. Nissan has changed the brake sensor, however, that made the problem worse.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while traveling 38 MPH, the brake pedal hardened and would not engage even after double pumping the brakes with the anti lock brake activated. The contact mentioned that the stopping distance increased to 100 feet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
Visibility and wipers
54 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear, windshield.
Sun visor (drivers side) fell down after being pushed back into the up position, blocking my vision, distracting me, and requiring me to hold it up while driving until I could safely pull over and make a temporary repair. The vehicle was in motion when this happened, I had just completed a turn and was merging into…
Plastic retaining clip inside both driver and passenger sunvisor broken causing visors to fall in field of view causing an obstruction of view of oncoming traffic.passenger side door handle broken inside of door not allowing passenger to exit from vehicle.
Electrical
50 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument panel.
Since purchasing the 2013 Pathfinder, problems are relentless. Liftgate sticking and rubbing. Broken door handles, driver and passenger. Bolt falling out of alternator while driving. Airbags not working properly. Now for the past few months a shudder/vibration which happens intermittently. Usually at low speeds when…
While driving on september 219th, 2016, the airbag indicator light started flashing for under a minute, and then the entire dashboard cluster panel went out. The tachometer, speedometer, gas gauge, driver safety information, lighting and breaks , gear mode, seat belt indicator, engine temperature gauge all went blank…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 ser
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: cooling unit and lines
Risk: The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
Risk: The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: service brakes
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hood latch/bell crank assembly
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate consumer complaints alleging hood latch failures occurring on certain model year (my) 2013-2016 nissan pathfinder vehicles. Complaints received indicated a sudden and unexpected opening of the hood while the vehicle was in motion, blocking the driver's visibility.during this investigation nissan collected parts from the field to analyze for root cause of the alleged failures. On june 13, 2022, nissan submitted a defect information report (dir) to NHTSA regarding a hood bell crank assembly defect in certain my2013-2016 nissan pathfinder vehicles produced at the smyrna, tn plant. According to nissan's d
Occupant classification system failure
Summary
In may 2016, nissan north america issued a safety recall (16v-244) to address the problem of improper classification of adult front seat passengers in approximately 3.3 million vehicles, including those in the scope of this investigation when it was opened (almost one million vehicles) and additional vehicles, as shown below.nissan models: certain model year 2013-2016 altima, 2013-2016 leaf, 2016-2017 maxima, 2015-016 murano and murano hybrid, 2013-2016 pathfinder, 2014-2015 pathfinder hybrid, 2014-2017 rogue, 2013-2016 sentra, 2013-2016 nv200, and 2014-2016 taxi.infiniti models: certain model year 2013 jx35, 2014-2017 q50, 2014-2016 q50 hybrid, and 2014-2016 qx60 and qx60 hybrid.chevrolet m
Occupant classification system failure
Summary
In april 2014, nissan north america launched safety recall 14v-138 to address problems with the occupant classification system (ocs) algorithm in the following vehicles: model year (my) 2013-2014 nissan altima, pathfinder, sentra and leaf; my 2013 infiniti jx35; my 2014 infiniti qx60 and q50; and my 2013 nissan nv 200/taxi vehicles.according to nissan, the ocs may misclassify adult front passenger occupants and turn off the passenger's frontal air bag for an adult occupant of sufficient weight.in march 2015, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this recall query after the agency received approximately 124 complaints alleging problems with the ocs after the recall repairs and/or o
Transmission cooler hose separation
Summary
On march 25, 2014, nissan north america (nissan) submitted a defect information report to NHTSA describing a defect of inadequate hose clamping force that may result in the internal transmission oil cooler (itoc) hose detaching from the cooler.according to nissan, transmission fluid leakage from a detached itoc hose results in a progressive series of symptoms beginning with malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination, followed by noise and vibration and culminating in loss of power due to transmission failure.many of the incident vehicle drivers interviewed by odi indicated that the loss of power occurred soon after the first symptoms were observed.the recall covers approximately 3,065 pat
Questions about the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (370 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles); air bags (177 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles); engine (110 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 13, 2022 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Nissan Pathfinder?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Pathfinder model year since 2000, with 890 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.