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 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.
After changing rear break pads. I started having issues with the ABS. The car goes into anti skid mode with abs decelerating the car. On highway the car vibrates while applying breaks. Upon taking back to the same dealership. The service team said it has nothing to do with the break changes and upon checking C1142 code came up. The pressure switch sensor issue. The service team flushed the break fluid a few times and asked me to use to vehicle and report for any such issues. I am reaching out the NHTSA to check if anyone else has report a faulty pressure switch. This was little scary a we had recently went on a long drive with the kids and the driving was bit rough and tough
My ABS system seems to trigger a warning when using the brakes and the car has a loss of power when accelerating this is especially dangerous on roads merging with traffic. I will restart the car the next day and the ABS light turns off and works fine. This seems to happen intermittently and is a safety concern for my family in the car.
Rear sub frame near radial rod on drivers side of vehicle has corroded through without warning. Vehicle is unstable during breaking menuvers and pitches towards on coming traffic. Sudden loss of control or collision could occur without notice during breaking.
Vehicle gets stuck in park. The gear will not shift into drive, reverse, or neutral. Will not move from park even though the car is on. Brake lights deploy when brake pedal is pushed but car will not move from park position.
defects shifter assembly, cvt Transmission, brakes, Kraft Nissan invoice 317628 12-13-2019. AAMCO Blu steel Automotive repair order J004629 Transmission CVT, DTC P1 CVT Judder, B2603 Shift position, HVAC sun load sensor.
Last month, I noticed that when I was at a full stop, the vehicle would not always accelerate when I touched the gas pedal. I also noticed that when this happened, my brake lights would remain on and the cruise control would not work. This happened multiple times over the span of two weeks. After checking out the problem online, I became aware that on May 31, 2016, 79,853 2013-2014 pathfinders were recalled for defective break light switches (campaign number: 16V380000). After taking my vehicle to my dealer, I was told that my issue stemmed from a defective break light switch and stop lamp relay - the exact same reason 79,853 pathfinders were recalled in 2016 (please see attached pdf copy of receipt). Yet my vehicle was not part of that recall. When I pointed this out to my dealer I was told that it might be because my vehicle came off a different assembly line. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the vehicle experienced several failures since March of 2017. The contact stated that the rear brake light failed to illuminate properly when the brakes were applied, the vehicle vibrated and shook violently on several occasions, the passenger side air bag occupant detection indicator failed to illuminate. Furthermore, the contact reported that the increased stopping distance related sensor and the ABS wheel sensor failed. In addition, the contact expressed concern that the power windows independently rolled up and down, the back-up camera disabled and rotated in the reverse position, and the key fob sensor intermittently failed to perform as intended. An independent mechanic replaced the throttle body position sensor, but the failure recurred. …
When braking, I have to push the brake pedal to the floor in order to come to a complete stop and to keep the vehicle from rolling at stop lights. Even when the pedal does not go all the way to the floor, the brakes are "soft". Many times, the brakes do not seem to start working until the pedal is pressed down about 3/4 of the way to the floor. Speed does not seem to be a factor, the brakes just don't work. Upon releasing the brake pedal, there is a high-pitched squeal that can only be heard inside the vehicle. I have taken the vehicle to Nissan 4 times for this issue with no permanent resolution. I have noticed that there are a significant number of complaints regarding this issue with this vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH downhill when the vehicle began to roll downhill increasing in speed. The contact attempted to press the brake pedal however it failed to stop. The vehicle rolled over a nearby hill and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact received injuries to their back, neck, chest, and legs. The passenger received injuries to their neck and legs. Medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (Nissan of queens 93-25 rockaway blvd, ozone park, ny 11417; [phone]) and informed the contact that they were unable to identify the cause of failure. Then about 2 months after, while stopped at a stop sign they attempted to accelerate but the engine began to rev up without accelerating. …
Related recalls
Service brakes
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX vehicles manufactured December 3, 2012, through January 29, 2013. The front brake torque member was improperly cast resulting in structural weakness. This can lead to premature failure and cracking.
Remedy: 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.
Brake complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, 7% of the model year's 890 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Pathfinder brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-139 (service brakes, Apr 12, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Pathfinder brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 17,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.