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2013 Nissan Pathfinder recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 11 US recalls for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, and 11 in Canada. Owners filed 891 complaints with NHTSA, most often about power train. Its best NHTSA overall crash rating is 4 stars.

11US recalls
0urgent recalls
891owner complaints
4★overall crash rating

Is your car affected?

Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (11)

Latches/locks/linkages: hood, latch

2022-06-13 · campaign 22V420000 · 322,671 vehicles

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 and remedy

Risk: An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

2021-01-20 · campaign 21V020000 · 264,431 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

2016-05-31 · campaign 16V380000 · 79,853 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

2016-04-26 · campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

2015-10-20 · campaign 15V681000 · 919 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Structure: body, hood

2015-01-26 · campaign 15V033000 · 170,665 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Power train: automatic transmission, cooling unit and lines

2014-03-26 · campaign 14V142000 · 3,065 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system: software

2014-03-25 · campaign 14V138000 · 989,701 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system: software

2013-10-17 · campaign 13V445000 · 151,695 vehicles

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 and remedy

Risk: The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Service brakes

2013-04-12 · campaign 13V139000 · 19,258 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags

2013-03-01 · campaign 13V069000 · 82,038 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Canadian recalls (11)

Show 11 Canadian recalls

Structure

2022-06-14 · campaign 2022-313

Issue: Over time, dirt buildup could cause the secondary hood latch to stick open after it is used. If this happens, and the primary hood latch is released, the hood may open suddenly while driving. Safety Risk: A hood that opens suddenly while driving could block the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the secondary hood latch.

Lights and instruments

2021-01-21 · campaign 2021-020

Issue: On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may not have been installed correctly. Over time, this could cause the stop lamp relay to fail and stick in the on position. If this happens, engine power may be reduced and the brake lights will stay on. Additionally, the vehicle may be started and shifted into gear without pressing the brake pedal. Note: This recall replaces Transport Canada recall 2016-264. Vehicles that were repaired under that recall require a second inspection. Safety Risk: The ability to shift the vehicle out of park without depressing the brake pedal and/or starting the engine without depressing the brake pedal could increase the risk of a crash. Brake lights that stay on could cause other road users not to recognize when the vehicle is braking. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the stop lamp switch and relay. If the stop lamp relay was deleted during a previous repair, no further action is required. For all other vehicles, the dealer will adjust or move the stop lamp switch and replace the stop lamp relay.

Lights and instruments

2016-05-27 · campaign 2016-264

This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2021-020. On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may not have been installed properly causing and intermittent contact that could repeatedly cause the switch to cycle on and off. Over time, this may result in the stop lamp relay sticking in the on position, causing the stop lamps to remain illuminated. This could also impair the brake-shifter interlock, allowing the vehicle to inadvertently be shifted out of park position. These situations could increase the risk of a crash or a vehicle rollaway causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the stop lamp switch for proper installation, if the switch is not installed correctly it will be repositioned and the stop lamp relay will be replaced.

Seats and restraints

2016-04-25 · campaign 2016-179

On certain vehicles, a defect in the occupant classification system could allow an adult sitting in the front passenger seat to be classified as a child or an “empty seat”. This would suppress the airbag, which could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Correction: For affected Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue and Sentra vehicles, dealers will reprogram the airbag control unit and the occupant classification system control unit. For affected Leaf, NV200, Pathfinder, Q50 and JX35/QX60 vehicles, dealers will replace the occupant classification system electronic control unit.

Airbag

2015-10-20 · campaign 2015-491 · 184 vehicles

Certain vehicles serviced as part of recall 2014-093 or which had the Occupant Classification System (OCS) module replaced during servicing may have been fitted with an incorrect replacement OCS module. An incorrect OCS module would impair the effectiveness of the OCS, potentially failing to properly classify an adult passenger seated in the front passenger seat. This could increase the risk of injury to the occupant in a crash. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the OCS module.

Other

2015-01-26 · campaign 2015-031

On certain vehicles the hood release cable assembly may have been installed incorrectly, preventing the latching claw from fully engaging. This could cause the secondary latch to remain in the open position and allow the hood to open suddenly while driving if the primary hood latch was not engaged properly or accidentally released. This could compromise the driver’s ability to see the road and its users, as well as cause damage to the windshield, which could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will adjust the angle of the hood release mechanism to provide additional length to the release cable.

Powertrain

2014-03-26 · campaign 2014-095 · 873 vehicles

On certain vehicles, the transmission oil cooler hose may detach due to the use of clamps with insufficient clamping force, causing transmission fluid leakage and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light in the dashboard. Continued operation in this condition could result in noise, vibration and a loss of motive power which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.

Airbag

2014-03-25 · campaign 2014-093

On certain vehicles, the front passenger seat occupant classification system software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult. If this occurs, the passenger airbag would be deactivated without the illumination of the airbag warning lamp. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the occupant classification system.

Brakes

2013-10-16 · campaign 2013-355

On certain vehicles, incorrect antilock braking system (ABS) calibration may result in longer than expected stopping distances during light braking on rough roads. This could potentially increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update the ABS system software.

Brakes

2013-04-12 · campaign 2013-118 · 876 vehicles

On certain vehicles, the front brake caliper mounting brackets may have been manufactured incorrectly and could fail, which could result in a loss of vehicle control. This could also increase stopping distances. Both issues could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both front brake caliper mounting bracket(s).

Airbag

2013-03-14 · campaign 2013-079

On certain vehicles, sensors within the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured incorrectly. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag. Failure of the passenger frontal airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the ODS sensors.

Owner complaints (891)

Owners filed 891 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder (16 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries reported). Among 40 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 104).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Power train371
Air bags177
Unknown or other110
Engine105
Structure83
Service brakes62
Electrical system50
Vehicle speed control47

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD4★4★5★4★
2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD4★4★5★4★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2013 Nissan Pathfinder version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Pathfinder 2WD 3.5 L Automatic (variable gear ratios)202522$3,050
Pathfinder 4WD 3.5 L Automatic (variable gear ratios)192521$3,200
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.