2018 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
77 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 77 complaints (24.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 22.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 19.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
Service Brakes: 19; Unknown Or Other: 17; Electrical System: 13; Engine: 13; Power Train: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 6; Steering: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 25 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 25; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 38 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2018: 3; 2019: 27; 2020: 7; 2021: 3; 2022: 8; 2023: 9; 2024: 7; 2025: 9; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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 11113680 · 2018-07-25 (July 25, 2018)
THE INTELLIGENT CRUSE CONTROL SYSTEM WORK INTERMINTENTLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE SAFETY BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK .
Owner-reported narrative. 3,245 miles reported. Look up ODI 11113680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11166777 · 2019-01-13 (January 13, 2019)
THE FORWARD COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM (USED FOR AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING) INTERMITTENTLY DISABLES ON IT'S OWN EVERY TIME THAT I DRIVE. THIS ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN ON 11/5/2018 HOWEVER IS PENDING A RESOLUTION. THIS ISSUE HAS EXISTED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ON 10/25/18.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11166777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11256217 · 2019-09-17 (September 17, 2019)
"TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE IS NON OPERABLE AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION, AXEL, KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, WINDOW, BACK UP CAMERA, AND MANY MORE
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11267852 · 2019-10-11 (October 11, 2019)
WHEN DRIVING AT DIFFERING SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION REDUCES, THEN STOPS APPLYING POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND ACTS AS THOUGH IT'S IN NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, DOWN TO BELOW 20 MPH, AND A ALL OPERATING TEMPERATURES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT TOUCHED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS IN DRIVE. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TO US A MINIMUM OF 6 TIMES, WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM NISSAN.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11267852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11310448 · 2020-02-20 (February 20, 2020)
THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. AT LOW RPMS THERE IS A NOTICEABLE METALLIC SOUND AND LOSS OF POWER, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT LEAST THREE TIMES WITHOUT THEM FINDING A SOLUTION OR BEING ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. INSTEAD I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD IS THE ISSUE AND THAT IT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11310448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453357 · 2022-02-22 (February 22, 2022)
ABS Light comes on and stays on...Checking for recalls seeing if our vehicle could have same problem with brake fluid leaking on internal circuit board and possible fire danger. Also, several times our PATHFINDER will lose power or act as if you have shifted the transmission into neutral. This has happened at speeds from 30mph to 60 mph. Stalls and then after a few seconds it will resume speed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11175948 · 2019-02-09 (February 9, 2019)
WE HAVE HAD OUR CAR INTO THE DEALER 9 TIMES SINCE JUNE 2018. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACING THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSORS AND THE CAR STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT VERY HARD. WE HAVE WORKED THRU THE DEALER, THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, CONTACTED THE BBB AUTO AND HAVE AN OPEN ACCOUNT THERE. WE GOT OUR CAR BACK YESTERDAY AND TOOK IT FOR A LONG RIDE ON HIGHWAY 95 NORTH THIS AFTERNOON AND FOR 100 MILES THE CAR KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND THEN TO THE LEFT AND CONTINUED FOR EVERY MILE. WE TURNED OFF ONTO A 3 LANE ROAD AND WERE GOING SLOWER AND IT WENT ACROSS …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,588 miles reported. Look up ODI 11175948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11609050 · 2024-08-16 (August 16, 2024)
The Display Control Unit (DCU) went blank on my 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. No working display causing steering wheel controls not to work. This includes being unable to use any hands-free phone calls. This is a significant safety issue. Nissan has a voluntary recall for this problem on the 2018 and 2019 Pathfinder, but for whatever reason my VIN Is not included. Multiple attempts to have Nissan fix and they refuse. I can’t tell you how unsafe it makes traveling with no working display and no hands-free phone capabilities. Requesting your assista…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11609050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11360815 · 2020-09-23 (September 23, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COULTER NISSAN LOCATED AT 13301 N AUTOSHOW AVE, SURPRISE, AZ 85388, [phone removed], HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILU…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498068 · 2022-12-19 (December 19, 2022)
This vehicle had a recall repair related to Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip system in March 2021. The Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System Warning Light and the Slip Indicator Light would come on intermittently. Ten minutes after that repair the lights came on again, and about two times in subsequent days, but not again. In the last weeks these lights have been coming on again, but more problems have been associated such as the start button will not work and these lights come on. Sometimes, when it will start, these lights…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11563557 · 2024-01-04 (January 4, 2024)
The vehicle had 58,827 miles when the fuel pump failed on 12/27/2023. The vehicle stalled at a 4-way intersection during an errand run. The vehicle would not move when shifted into drive and eventually die. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop (Greg's Japanese Auto), where a certified technician confirmed and replaced the fuel pump.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11563557 at NHTSA ↗