2013 Nissan Pathfinder: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder: 11 recalls, 890 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
11 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #13V069000 · 2013 · 82,038 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Brakes Vehicle recall #13V139000 · 2013 · 19,258 vehicles
What's wrong: The front brake torque member was improperly cast resulting in structural weakness. This can lead to premature failure and cracking.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Electrical, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #13V445000 · 2013 · 151,695 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The increased stopping distance May increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ABS, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2013.
Electrical, Airbags Vehicle recall #14V138000 · 2014 · 989,701 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the ocs software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V142000 · 2014 · 3,065 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install an oil hose repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2014.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #15V033000 · 2015 · 170,665 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #15V681000 · 2015 · 919 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the ocs software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V244000 · 2016 · 3,296,947 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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,…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #16V380000 · 2016 · 79,853 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.…
Why it matters: 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…
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #21V020000 · 2021 · 264,431 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: 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…
The 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…
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #22V420000 · 2022 · 322,671 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 26, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (370): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (130), stalls / loses power (70), noise or vibration (53).
- Airbags (177): the most common themes are warning light on (61), fails to deploy (12).
- Other / unknown (110): the most common themes are noise or vibration (11).
- Engine (105): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (27), warning light on (17).
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has 890 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 36 Pathfinder model years for complaints (4.4× the average Pathfinder year). Complaints peaked in 2013 (201 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 15,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2012 (23 complaints, 2 recalls), 2014 (574 complaints, 11 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
Owners have filed 890 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (370), airbags (177), other / unknown (110).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.