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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-NISSAN-PATHFINDERNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Nissan
2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has 890 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 2 active recall campaigns.
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has 890 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 360 complaints, typically surfacing around 34,190 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Pathfinder?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Brakes: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 8,000–60,000 mi
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Nissan Pathfinder? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 360 owner reports
· tends to show around 34,190 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
airbags — 144 owner reports
· tends to show around 29,863 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
body — 63 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,802 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
visibility — 37 owner reports
· tends to show around 45,745 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 29,863 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Pathfinder· body
Rear Subframe/under body completely rusted out at cracked. My daughter and I drive a lot for her health condition to appointments. The Nissan Dealership said this could have been catastrophic driving down the freeway had it broke apart while driving. It completely fell apart in…
2013 Nissan pathfinder hesitated (shudder) when I accelerated the vehicle from a standstill in traffic on the freeway. The vehicle did not move for about 2-3 seconds. It sounded like the vehicles power just shut off. After 2-3 seconds, the vehicle then accelerated. This…
On slow road coasting between 15-20mph, the vehicle hesitated and shaked for around 3 seconds until accelerated above 20 MPH. On dec 17, made the same in another road, same MPH. Yesterday 12/30 did it again. In routine maintenance on the dealer, 12/26 informed about the two (2)…
We purchased a new 2013 Nissan pathfinder on approx 6/2013 and now have 10,000 miles on it. The last few weeks we have been noticing at slow speeds approx 25 MPH we are experiencing a shudder in the transmission. It is happening fairly consistent now at 25mph and under a load…
Had a problem with your 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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)
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.
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX vehicles manufactured December 3, 2012, through January 29, 2013
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.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 890 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 8,000–60,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 360 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,190 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 890 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 34,190 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 360 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 34,190 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 34,190 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Pathfinder has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 890 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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