2013 Nissan Pathfinder recalls and problems

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has 11 safety recalls and 891 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

891

Crashes / fires

16 / 1

Injuries / deaths

16 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder recalls

Recall 22V-420: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Jun 13, 2022 · 322,671 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 21V-020: Exterior Lighting

Reported Jan 20, 2021 · 264,431 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 16V-380: Exterior Lighting

Reported May 31, 2016 · 79,853 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 16V-244: Air Bags

Reported Apr 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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 service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Recall 15V-681: Air Bags

Reported Oct 20, 2015 · 919 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 15V-033: Structure

Reported Jan 26, 2015 · 170,665 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 14V-142: Power Train

Reported Mar 26, 2014 · 3,065 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 14V-138: Electrical System, Air Bags

Reported Mar 25, 2014 · 989,701 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 13V-445: Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 17, 2013 · 151,695 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 13V-139: Service Brakes

Reported Apr 12, 2013 · 19,258 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 13V-069: Air Bags

Reported Mar 1, 2013 · 82,038 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	372
Air Bags	178
Unknown or Other	110
Engine	105
Structure	84
Service Brakes	62
Electrical System	50
Vehicle Speed Control	47
Visibility/Wiper	46
Suspension	29
Fuel/Propulsion System	18
Exterior Lighting	14

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 61
Structure › Body › Hood — 5
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights — 4
Structure › Frame and Members — 4
Structure › Body › Door — 3
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 2
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch — 2
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 15,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Nissan Pathfinder complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 100,000 miles · reported Oct 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered significantly while idling, and the failure persisted while accelerating from a complete stop and while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) failed. The check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the stopping distance was extended while depressing…

Latches/Locks/Linkages · at 168,000 miles · reported Jul 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V420000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the recall repair failed to prevent a failure from occurring. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood unlatched and opened independently. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the contact was advised to return the vehicle to the initial dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was…

Service Brakes · reported Jun 22, 2026

Rear sub frame near radial rod on drivers side of vehicle has corroded through without warning. Vehicle is unstable during breaking menuvers and pitches towards on coming traffic. Sudden loss of control or collision could occur without notice during breaking.

Power Train · reported May 9, 2026

The vehicle is a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder experiencing a major transmission/CVT failure that creates serious safety concerns. Only 69 days after purchase, the transmission began failing and the vehicle became unsafe and unreliable to operate. The vehicle experiences severe transmission-related drivability problems, including hesitation, loss of proper acceleration, delayed response when attempting to move, jerking/shifting issues, and concern that the vehicle may suddenly lose the ability to move or maintain speed while driving. These issues create a dangerous situation, especially while driving…

Electrical System · at 209,000 miles · reported Apr 16, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 93,653. It was later discovered that the mileage was approximately 209,000. The contact reported the fraud to the Secretary of State and had since found other vehicles to have been included in an odometer fraud ring.

Other Nissan Pathfinder years

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Compare all Nissan Pathfinder years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder: 22V-420 (latches/locks/linkages), 21V-020 (exterior lighting), 16V-380 (exterior lighting), 16V-244 (air bags), 15V-681 (air bags) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?

Owners report power train problems most often (372 reports), followed by air bags (178). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 15,000 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.