DRIVABILITY CONCERNS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND ON INCLINES IF YOU CONFIRM A lugging / shutter / judder at highway speeds, especially on slight inclines, ACTION Reprogram the Engine Control Module (ECM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Pathfinder | 8 |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 11 |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 4 |
| 2023 Pathfinder (this page) | 5 |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 7 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
DTC P161F FOR IMMOBILIZER CODE STORED IN ECM WITH VEHICLE NO-START CONDITION IF YOU CONFIRM The vehicle cranks but will not start, and DTC P161F for “IMMOBILIZER” is stored in the ECM. ACTION Follow the SERVICE PROCEDURE in this bulletin to reprogram the ECM, if applicable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL IS ON WITH DTC P0300 STORED IN THE ECM IF YOU CONFIRM The MIL is ON with DTC P0300 for âMULTI CYL MISFIREâ stored in the ECM. ACTION Refer to the SERVICE PROCEDURE in this bulletin to: 1. Determine applicable model year specific SERVICE PROCEDURE with the Repair Overview on page 2. 2. Confirm the current ECM and TCM part numbers. 3. Reprogram the ECM and/or the TCM, if applicable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2023 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 engine problem on the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 5,931 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2023/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.