Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, on the lift at the independent mechanic, the independent mechanic rust on the subframe. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had previously taken the vehicle to be repaired under an unknown recall for the hood latch. The contact stated that recommendations were made by the dealer; however, a recommendation for the subframe rust was not provided. The subframe rust was not addressed by the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to the independent mechanic, and the independent mechanic noticed the rust on the subframe. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the contact was informed the vehicle was no longer under an extended warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,019.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 40-44 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that there was play in the rear wheels and the rear wheels seemed misaligned. The contact also stated that while coming to a complete stop and depressing the brake pedal, the rear wheels and the trailing arm seemed to move forward, then backward. The contact stated that the failure recurred while making a left turn. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear subframe was corroded. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the manufactured date of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound and the vehicle started to wobble. The contact decelerated and pulled over safely. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact checked the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the rear subframe frame and cross member had fractured. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle swayed to the right. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear subframe was extremely corroded, causing the rear driver's side stabilizer bar to fracture. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 143,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, she observed a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that water had intruded into the driver's side sub frame where it was rusted and fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the rear sub frame was completely rusted through. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and the subframe was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,850.
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 the mechanics hand after they removed it and were showing me what actually happened and what I was driving around on. Nissan dealership quoted me $11,000.00 for the part and labor. I had it fixed through an authorized mechanic for $5,000.00 Because it was wearing and I didn't notice because there were no signs or messages, it rubbed my tires almost bald to where the wires were showing. I had to replace those as well. I wash my car regularly and get 2 detail cleans a year, my car has been well maintained since I bought it. …
After being notified of NHTSA recall campaign 22V-420 by Nissan North America, Inc. we had the required service repairs performed by a qualified Nissan dealership near us, however Nissan has been unable to clear the open recall notice from their Nissan tracking system, so we continue to receive periodic open recall notices from Nissan for this same issue. The NHTSA website recall system correctly shows no open recalls for our vehicle. Several phone calls placed to the Nissan North America Consumer Affairs Department requesting they fix their recall system notification information has only resulted in being transferred between representatives, and then having Nissan drop the calls during those transfers.
The vehicle was pulling to the right when driving or breaking. Brought to the mechanic and he discovered that the rear passenger side subframe is totally rotted. Appears to be a common problem with Nissan from my understanding now. He suggested I just trade it in. I don't have that luxury so will attempt to have it repaired. I have looked for a recall and so not see one but I do see numerous complaints regarding this issue on various Nissan boards. Some have said they registered a complaint as well. Since this appears to be a common Nissan problem, their corporation should be responsible for the repair. I'm told not to drive unless necessary.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the tires were losing air. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the subframe from the front end to the rear had severe corrosion. The mechanic advised the contact not to drive the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
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…
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.
Body complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the body & structure of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, 9% of the model year's 890 complaints. The component named most often is body (61 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Pathfinder body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-033 (hinge and attachments, Jan 26, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Pathfinder body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.