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#BS-2013-NISPAT-70F22013 Nissan PathfinderProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 1,209 owners and 11 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,209 complaints, 26 crashes, 1 fires, and 11 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.6x the class average.
Top reported problems
transmission jerking
44 complaints • Severity 7.5/10
sun visor falling down
15 complaints • Severity 7.7/10
transmission will not engage
14 complaints • Severity 8.1/10
inside door handle broke
13 complaints • Severity 7.2/10
air bag not activating with adult passenger
10 complaints • Severity 7.4/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
368 owners reported drivetrain issues — failures commonly reported around 15K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (556 reports) • Median: 15K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Drivetrain (368 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2013 Nissan Pathfinder: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 30% of all reports filed for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, with 368 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 14,620 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 15K-mile mark.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, with 176 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, with 110 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, with 67 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (11 recalls)
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 of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
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 structural weakness. This can lead to premature failure and cracking.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
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.
+ 6 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (4)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Occupant Classification System Failure
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Transmission cooler hose separation
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Hood Latch/Bell Crank Assembly
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Occupant Classification System Failure
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
The worst model year for the Nissan Pathfinder is the 2005 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
1,209
Class avg
469
2.6x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,209 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 11 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Nissan Pathfinder Model Years
2013 Nissan Pathfinder: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2013 Nissan Pathfinder Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,209 owner reports. Know before you buy.