2013 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
890 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 680 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 368 of 890 complaints (41.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 311 | 34.9% |
| Braking behavior | 113 | 12.7% |
| Engine operation | 72 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 22 | 2.5% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 1.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 368 |
| Air Bags | 176 |
| Unknown Or Other | 110 |
| Engine | 105 |
| Service Brakes | 62 |
| Structure:Body | 61 |
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 47 |
Power Train: 368; Air Bags: 176; Unknown Or Other: 110; Engine: 105; Service Brakes: 62; Structure:Body: 61; Electrical System: 47; Vehicle Speed Control: 47
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 390 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 90 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 85 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 49 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 52 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 390; 25,000 to 49,999: 90; 50,000 to 74,999: 85; 75,000 to 99,999: 49; 100,000 to 149,999: 52; 150,000 and above: 14
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (390). 210 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 201 |
| 2014 | 143 |
| 2015 | 83 |
| 2016 | 86 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 59 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2021 | 37 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2012: 1; 2013: 201; 2014: 143; 2015: 83; 2016: 86; 2017: 61; 2018: 57; 2019: 59; 2020: 39; 2021: 37; 2022: 27; 2023: 31; 2024: 28; 2025: 29; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 311 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 113 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 72 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10490959 · 2013-01-03 (January 3, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING AROUND 35 MPH THE PATHFINDER STARTED SPUTTERING BETWEEN 3000-4000 RPMS AND WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IN HOPES TO RESET A PROBLEM. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, THE PATHFINDER WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. AS THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS LOADING THE PATHFINDER HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF LIQUID COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE HAD BURST AND THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. ALSO ANOTHER OWNER OF A 2013 PATHF…
Owner-reported narrative. 306 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10493691 · 2013-01-21 (January 21, 2013)
THE NIGHT OF SATURDAY JANUARY 19TH, 2013, ONE MONTH AND A HALF AFTER I PURCHASED MY "NEW 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER," IT WAS IT!!! I THOUGH THAT WE WERE PUTTING THE WRONG TYPE OF GAS IN IT, BUT NO!!! WE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS "RUNNING OUT OF GAS MOVEMENT" FROM A $40,000 VEHICLE WITH ONE OF THE BEST MARKETING PROMOTIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THE 21ST OF JANUARY, AND THE ONLY RESPONSE FROM GENERAL MANAGEMENT WAS " OH!... WE ARE SO SORRY, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING ON HERE...IT LOOKS LIKE A TRANSMISSION MODULE, BUT WAIT... NO, THAT'S NOT …
Owner-reported narrative. 989 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489001 · 2012-12-17 (December 17, 2012)
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. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE BRAKING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10494526 · 2013-01-24 (January 24, 2013)
WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD AND 5 MONTH OLD MY 2013 PATHFINDER ON 12/29 (WHICH I HAD FOR 1 MONTH)IT STARTED FEELING LIKE IT WAS MISSING GEARS AND SPUTTERING. THE RPMS STARTED TO REV UP BETWEEN 4000-5000 AND WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER, AND THE CAR WAS JERKING AS I WAS DRIVING IT. I STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF HOPING IT WAS JUST A FLUKE BUT WHEN I STARED IT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN I WAS IN REVERSE I THEN PUT IN DRIVE AGAIN IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING BUT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME O…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,510 miles reported. Look up ODI 10494526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505608 · 2013-04-09 (April 9, 2013)
PURCHASED MY NEW 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN FEBRUARY, 2013. EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AFTER THE FIRST 100 MILES I PUT ON THE CAR. I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM 4 TIMES IN THE FIRST 400 MILES. THEN I EXPERIENCED A MAJOR PROBLEM TURNING LEFT FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR BARELY COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL ABOUT 4 TIMES TO GET THE CAR MOVING. LUCKILY I WAS TURNING LEFT AT A GREEN ARROW SO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC HAD A RED LIGHT AND WAS STOPPED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO PICK IT UP AS I DIDN'T FEEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505608 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555029 · 2013-12-06 (December 6, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT NO DIAGNOSIS WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V445000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE RECALL AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7500.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555029 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575131 · 2014-03-27 (March 27, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE AN ADULT WAS IS IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V138000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,800. UPDATED 06/10/14 MA
Owner-reported narrative. 21,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500566 · 2013-02-26 (February 26, 2013)
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON 02/16/2013 AND STEERING WHEEL OFF BALANCE. 2 DAYS LATER, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO HENDERSON NISSAN BUT IT WAS JUST A PATCH UP TO THE PROBLEM. TODAY 02/26/2013 A NEW PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN I DRIVE AT 15MPH THE TRANSMISSION JERK CAUSE A BIG VIBRATION TO THE CAR AND I'M AFRAID THIS WILL LEAD TO A MAJOR PROBLEM. I PURCHASE THIS CAR TO TRANSPORT MY 4 YEARS DAUGHTER AND I DON'T WANT THIS CAR TRANSMISSION TO BREAK DOWN ON FREEWAY WHICH COULD CAUSE A MAJOR PILE UP. PLEASE CONSIDER A SAFETY TO OUR FAMILY AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10585142 · 2014-04-27 (April 27, 2014)
AT SLOW SPEED DURING A TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED (ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING). IT TAKES A LOT OF FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE CAR WITH THE POWER STEERING OFF. MY WIFE COULD NEVER EXERT THIS MUCH FORCE ON THE WHEEL IF SHE WAS DRIVING WHILE THIS HAPPENED. IN ABOUT A MILE, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL, THEN ANOTHER MILE DOWN THE ROAD IT FAILED AGAIN, AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10525863 · 2013-07-20 (July 20, 2013)
ON JULY 10, 2013, WHILE DRIVING MY 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, I HEARD 'SOMETHING' RATTLE UNDER THE REAR OF THE TRUCK AND SAW 'SOMETHING BLACK' IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR FLY FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES LATER WHEN I STOPPED AT A LOCAL SAVEMART, STORE EMPLOYEES CALLED OVER THE PA SYSTEM FOR THE OWNER OF A NEW PATHFINDER BECAUSE FUEL WAS LEAKING 'ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT'. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO CLEAN UP THE HAZMAT AND DIRECT TRAFFIC AWAY FROM MY TRUCK. A FIREMAN AMAZED ME WHEN HE STATED THAT MY PATHFINDER HAS A U…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,126 miles reported. Look up ODI 10525863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661879 · 2014-12-03 (December 3, 2014)
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ADVERTISED AS "NEW" HOWEVER STARTED HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ "0" MILES REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED, AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING THE 4TH DAY. I WOULD BE DRIVING ALONG AT ANYWHERE FROM 30-55 MPH WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN. TOOK IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER FOR REPAIR, WHO REFUSED TO PUT IT IN THE SHOP AND CHECK IT OUT, SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO SAID THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE DEFECTS IN THE SHOP. I TOOK IT BACK MULTIPLE TIMES FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 480 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661879 at NHTSA ↗