The 2013 Pathfinder marked Nissan's shift to a unibody crossover with the CVT transmission, and that CVT is the Achilles' heel—premature failure is widespread and expensive. Engine problems are less common but catastrophic when they occur, typically from oil consumption leading to bearing failure.
CVT Transmission Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially 20-40 mph, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Hesitation when accelerating from stop, Check engine light with codes P0729, P17F0, P17F1, Transmission overheating warning, Complete loss of forward movement
Fix: Nissan extended warranty to 10yr/120k on some units, but many fall outside coverage. Requires complete CVT replacement—no rebuild option that's reliable. 8-12 hours labor for R&R, plus fluid and programming. Used transmissions are gamble since they fail repeatedly. Remanufactured units run $3,500-4,500 plus labor.
Symptoms: Milky or strawberry-colored transmission fluid, Coolant level dropping without external leaks, Transmission slipping or erratic shifting after coolant mixing, Engine overheating, Transmission failure following radiator issue
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix—this kills the CVT within days if not caught immediately. Requires radiator replacement, external CVT cooler installation, complete fluid flush of both systems, and often CVT replacement if contamination went unnoticed. 6-8 hours labor for preventive radiator/cooler job, 12-16 hours if CVT is damaged. Many techs now install external coolers proactively on these.
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Check engine light with misfire codes, Knocking noise from lower engine (if oil starvation occurs), Catastrophic bearing failure if oil level gets too low
Fix: VQ35DE develops excessive oil consumption from worn piston rings and cylinder glazing. Owners who don't monitor oil levels end up with spun bearings or seized engines. Proper fix is complete engine rebuild with new pistons, rings, and bearings—40-50 hours labor. Short block replacement is 25-30 hours but still requires head work. Used engines are $1,500-2,500, but unknown consumption history. Many owners just live with it and add oil every tank of gas.
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration through floorboard at idle or low speed, Excessive engine movement visible when accelerating, Rattling noise over bumps
Fix: The front transmission mount wears out prematurely, likely from CVT vibration characteristics. Requires removal of splash shields and partial subframe dropping. 2.5-3.5 hours labor. OEM mount is $150-250. Aftermarket options available but may transmit more vibration. Inspect rear mount at same time—often needs replacement too.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Timing Chain Stretch / Tensioner Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine on cold start, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0011, P0021), Rough idle or poor performance, Engine won't start if chain has jumped timing
Fix: VQ35DE uses timing chains, but tensioners and guides wear, allowing stretch. If chain jumps, valves contact pistons—requires head and piston replacement. Preventive timing chain service involves chains, tensioners, guides, oil pump chain, and water pump while you're in there. 12-16 hours labor. Many techs recommend doing this at 100k if you plan to keep the vehicle. If it fails catastrophically, you're looking at engine rebuild territory.
Symptoms: Brake pedal sinks to floor with constant pressure, Spongy brake pedal despite bleeding, ABS light with codes C1130 (pump motor circuit), Brake warning light illuminated, Loss of power assist or complete brake failure
Fix: Master cylinder develops internal leaks (often past rear seal), and ABS hydraulic units fail requiring module replacement. Master cylinder is 2-3 hours with proper bleeding procedure. ABS module requires scan tool programming and runs $800-1,500 for remanufactured unit, plus 3-4 hours labor. NHTSA recall addressed some early ABS issues but not all units. This is safety-critical—don't ignore soft pedal.
Check transmission fluid every oil change for discoloration—catch radiator cooler failure before it kills the CVT
Monitor oil level religiously; check every fill-up once past 80k miles to avoid engine damage from consumption
Install an external transmission cooler and bypass the radiator cooler entirely—cheap insurance at $300-400
Budget $500/year for 'CVT failure fund' if keeping past 100k—it's not if, but when
Timing chain service at 100k miles is worth it if you're keeping the vehicle long-term
Avoid this generation entirely if you need reliability—the CVT gamble isn't worth the low used prices
Hard pass unless you get it under $8k and can afford a CVT replacement as a when-not-if expense—too many expensive grenades on a timer.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
Consequence: 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 · 21V020000
2021-01-20
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.
Consequence: 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 · 16V380000
2016-05-31
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.
Consequence: 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 · 16V244000
2016-04-26 · EA15004
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.
Consequence: 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:FRONTAL · 15V681000
2015-10-20 · EA15004
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.
Consequence: 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:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 15V033000
2015-01-26
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.
Consequence: 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 · 14V142000
2014-03-26 · PE13029
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.
Consequence: 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 · 14V138000
2014-03-25
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.
Consequence: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · 13V445000
2013-10-17
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.
Consequence: 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 · 13V139000
2013-04-12
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.
Consequence: 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 · 13V069000
2013-03-01
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.
Consequence: 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.
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