STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Nissan Pathfinder suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 145,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Pathfinder | 4 |
| 2012 Pathfinder | 5 |
| 2013 Pathfinder (this page) | 25 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 13 |
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Nissan Pathfinder we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 25.
Owners have filed 25 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN; VIBRATION AND/OR NOISE WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM There is a vibration or judder feeling from the rear of the vehicle; when making, turns, on dry roads, or at low speeds (under 40 MPH), and the vibration does not occur if the Electric Controlled Coupling is electrically disconnected. ACTION Replace the Electric Controlled Coupling for the rear final drive. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe widespread premature corrosion of the rear subframe and crossmember assembly, with holes developing and structural attachment points failing well before the vehicle's expected service life. The corrosion often occurs internally or on areas not visible from below, making early detection difficult. Multiple owners note that their vehicles show little surface rust elsewhere, yet the rear subframe is severely corroded—one mechanic attributed this to Nissan's failure to properly prime the subframe during manufacturing.
Failure modes range from loud noises over bumps to unintended vehicle movement and complete loss of rear suspension control. In the most severe cases, owners report the vehicle veering unexpectedly into other lanes or the steering wheel becoming loose when control arm attachment points fail. A few owners describe the rear subframe physically breaking or detaching at highway speeds.
Repair costs run $2,300 and up for subframe replacement, with one owner reporting the replacement part on backorder due to high demand. Nissan has declined warranty assistance for all reported cases, citing age and expired corrosion coverage. Multiple mechanics and owners note this is not an isolated incident—the problem appears common among 2013 Pathfinders and has been extensively documented online.
Same Nissan Pathfinder suspension reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Rear subframe corrosion and structural failure
Owners report the rear subframe, cradle, and crossmember corroding through and developing holes, sometimes catastrophically. In several cases, the corrosion is severe enough that the subframe breaks, detaches, or shifts, causing loss of structural integrity at the point where control arms and suspension components attach. Multiple owners note the corrosion occurs despite minimal surface rust elsewhere on the vehicle and regular maintenance. Mechanics cited indicate the degree of corrosion is premature and abnormal for the vehicle age and mileage.
When: Reported between 8,000 and 167,000 miles; one owner at 103,000 miles; another at 120,000 miles. Corrosion becomes apparent 6–10 years into ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud scraping or popping noise from rear, especially over bumps; Rear end vibrating, shimmy, or jerking motion; Rear wheels misaligned or loose toe; Play or movement in rear wheels and trailing arm; Vehicle veering unintended into other lanes when corrosion causes structural failure; Steering wheel becoming loose when front control arm detaches; Rear wheel moving closer into fender well
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of entire rear subframe or crossmember assembly cost cited at $2,300. Part availability reported as on backorder due to high demand. One mechanic noted subframe was not properly primed during manufacturing, leading to corrosion from the top surface (invisible until removed). Another mechanic stated they had never seen this type of frame break before.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined assistance citing expired corrosion warranty (expired 2018 for some owners) and vehicle being out of warranty due to age. No recall offered despite multiple owners reporting the issue as common among 2013 Pathfinders.
Front subframe corrosion
Owner reports front subframe rusted through, described as a similar widespread issue across a range of Nissan Pathfinders and flagged as a major safety concern.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust-through on front subframe
Rear control arm or trailing arm attachment corrosion and detachment
The mounting points where rear control arms and trailing arms attach to the subframe corrode and fail, causing the control arm to detach from the frame. In one case, a bolt did not break—instead, a portion of the frame broke away from the subframe due to corrosion.
When: Reported at 145,000 miles and 167,000 miles; one case occurred at 50 mph on a state route with no accident history
Symptoms owners cite: Loud scraping sound when control arm detaches; Vehicle seizing and vibrating as if tire is flat; Loss of handling control, unintended lane drift; Steering wheel becoming loose; Rear wheels misaligned or loose toe
Repairs/costs cited: In one incident, the mechanic found no rust or deterioration elsewhere on the underside but stated this failure should never have occurred and the driver was fortunate to avoid an accident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer declined assistance, referring one owner to NHTSA Hotline; corrosion warranty had expired.
Rear sway bar stabilizer bracket corrosion
Brackets holding the rear sway arm stabilizer to the subframe corrode, compromising the suspension attachment.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rust-through visible at brackets
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension trouble with your 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 8,100 and 149,620 miles, with the median around 145,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,100; a quarter make it past 149,620. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.