The Lemon Index2013 Nissan Pathfinder.
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 514 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 478, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 21 to 22 mpg combined. The best Nissan Pathfinder year is 2012.
Lemon alert. 4.8× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2012
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 890 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Pathfinder year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 56K miles on the car (680 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 1K–36K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 2K–33K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 1K–37K miles
Recalls 11
- latches/locks/linkages 2022
On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.
- lights 2021
The location of the brake light switch may cause the brake light switch relay to repeatedly open and close.
- lights 2016
The brake light switch may have been installed incorrectly causing the relay to make intermittent contact and repeatedly cycle.
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2016
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.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair.
- body structure 2015
In the affected vehicles the hood release cable assembly may have been installed incorrectly preventing the latching.
- transmission & drivetrain 2014
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.
- electrical 2014
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.
- brakes 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.
- brakes 2013
The front brake torque member was improperly cast resulting in structural weakness.
- airbags 2013
Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 267 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Shudder from the torque converter lock-up clutch engagement
- Fluid leak in the cooler hose
- Some vehicles may be experiencing cvt fluid leaking from the transmission to the radiator
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedHood latch/bell crank assembly2021–2022
- ClosedOccupant classification system failure2015–2017
- ClosedOccupant classification system failure2015
- ClosedTransmission cooler hose separation2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Nissan Pathfinder SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Transmission shudders at low speed up inclines. There needs to be a recall as this affected a broad segment of 2013 pathfinders. This has happened multiple times. The dealer service bulletin to reprogram the computer did nothing.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder owner · NHTSA complaint 10557439
More owner reports
Upon accelerating, I noticed jerking/shuttering. This has happened 2-3 times since then. Taking to dealer tomorrow.
NHTSA complaint 10550050
2013 Nissan Pathfinder. Vehicle has repeated problems of the passenger side air bag.
NHTSA complaint 10663860
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 4.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 478; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Pathfinder year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (50%), airbags (28%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have?
11 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder get?
21 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,200 and 56,800 miles. The middle report was at 15,000 miles, from 680 complaints.
Does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 50% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Pathfinder year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works