76 Total complaints
3 Crash reports
0 Fire reports
2 Injury reports
Quick answer: The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder has 76 consumer-submitted complaints in our database. The most common complaint categories are engine, service brakes, back over prevention. Enriched records show 3 crash reports, 0 fire reports, and 2 injury reports.
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.

Buyer interpretation

How to use these complaints before buying

Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.

Complaint volume

76 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.

Pattern to inspect

The most common categories are engine, service brakes, back over prevention. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.

Severity flags

Enriched records include 3 crash reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.

Mileage clue

Mileage is available on 38 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 25,443 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have you had any problems related to engine, service brakes, back over prevention?
  • Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
  • Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
  • Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?
Used-car checklist

Use these complaints before the test drive.

Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.

2018 Nissan Pathfinder
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.

How severe are the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder complaints?

Enriched complaint indicators from official bulk records.

3 Crash
0 Fire
2 Injury
0 Fatality
2 Towed
2 Medical attention

Mileage at failure is available on 38 complaints ; average reported mileage is 25,443 miles.

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Pathfinder complaint categories?

76 total complaints on record

Latest complaints

Showing 26-50 of 76 complaints.

Date Component Summary Severity Mileage
Mar 2023 EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION The Infotainment System screen is black and doesn't work. This poses a safety hazard as the navigation is inoperable; handsfree calls cannot be made while driving, which is required by law, since bluetooth is inoperable; and the back-up camera works intermittently and a person or another car could be hit while I'm backing up the vehicle.. The problem appeared quickly without warning in late January/early February 2023. I immediately took the SUV to the dealership on February 3, 2023 where it was confirmed that the Infotainment System does not work and the service manager advised that it cannot be fixed.
Incident: Jan 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Mar 2023 POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS As we were driving on the highway about 70 miles per hour, no traffic relatively, the vehicle started to violently shake and then we heard a loud explosion in the front end, prompting the front drive and passenger airbags to deploy, as well as the full right side curtain airbags. This curtain airbag struck my wife in the head and prompted her apple watch to call 911. we initally thought we popped a tire or ran over something but no damaged at all visible to the car. even the state trooper was baffled by the situation as emergency personnel arrived. the car was not driven home so when the tow facility assessed the vehicle even he was baffled and assumed perhaps the explosion happened in the front end inside the cvt transmission. the officer on site stated this couldve ended horribly with us going the normal speed on the highway but somehow we were guided safely to the side of the road.
Incident: Mar 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention Unknown
Feb 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE The forward collision warning and traction control light is stuck on both together. Today is the 1st time it has come on, but when doing research I seen that people have had this issue before and that there was a recall for maxima’s and Murano’s, but nothing that has been seen for the pathfinder.
Incident: Feb 2023
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2022 UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE This vehicle had a recall repair related to Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip system in March 2021. The Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System Warning Light and the Slip Indicator Light would come on intermittently. Ten minutes after that repair the lights came on again, and about two times in subsequent days, but not again. In the last weeks these lights have been coming on again, but more problems have been associated such as the start button will not work and these lights come on. Sometimes, when it will start, these lights come on but the car gearshift will not move out of the Park position. Or, maybe if you use remote start when you get in and push the brake pedal and the start button the car shuts off. This leaves the vehicle immobile and can leave one stranded if in a remote area. Disconnecting the battery and reconnecting does usually allow you to start it, but you cannot put the vehicle in park or you will not be able to get it out of park to drive it. Again, this is associated with the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System Warning Light and the Slip Indicator Light coming on. And we have put new batteries in the key fobs, so that is not an issue.
Incident: Dec 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2022 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM The windows stopped going up unless you turn the car off and wait then they slowly go up. The back lights do no work at all when they are turned on.
Incident: Dec 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jul 2022 POWER TRAIN The 4x4 never stays engaged. We live in an area where it snows A LOT and depend on the 4x4 for winter driving. We purchased the vehicle brand new and it had this issue. We reported it to the dealership when the vehicle had less than 500 miles on it, within the first few weeks of ownership. They couldn't figure out what was wrong. They sent someone from corporate to look at the vehicle. They found and replaced a cracked coupler. (Our vehicle was sold to us with a MAJOR broken part.) The 4x4 still wouldn't remain engaged. I kept taking it back to the dealership every few months. Nothing. Finally they sent a corporate mechanic out to look at the vehicle. He told me the 4x4 will never stay engaged because 'the drive train is set up to protect itself and the 4x4 is only to get out of a jam", and then told me it is not to be used for driving in snow. I asked why they sold these vehicles as safe for snow. He told me they don't anymore because they have realized they are not safe. So now I am stuck with a vehicle that isn't safe to drive. We purchsed a Tesla that day, January 28, 2022 and while waiting for it to arrive the transmission now went out on the vehicle. Nissan refuses to fix it claiming we are over the warranty miles. So not only is this vehicle not safe for snow and chain control (according to their mechanic) it can't be fixed. Is the NHTSB aware that Nissan Corporate Mechanics are telling people their 4x4 vehicles are not true 4x4 vehicle even though they were sold that way? In the past 4 years I have slid into snowbanks numerous times at low (under 25mph) speeds because the 4x4 does not remain engaged. Many times my children are in the vehicle. There have also been numerous times when I have slid due to the 4x4 not staying engaged where I have almost hit others. I have put my life and others lives in danger thinking my 'Auto' was making sure my vehicle was in 4x4, even though the mechanics assure me it wasn't and I was actually in 2-wheel drive.
Incident: Apr 2018
Crash: Yes Fire: No Unknown
Jul 2022 UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE Hood shakes everywhere... even if it's locked down...I'm afraid to drive it..I took it back twice .they replace the mounds ..still no good..bounces everywhere..this vechicle is dangerous and unsafe Also I purchased it in 2021 august. The transmission is going out, snatches, and drive rough with only 57,000 miles on it. I need help getting this vehicle fixed. Thank u. Trans oil changed 1 week ago by Nissan dealership..still snatches
Incident: Aug 2021
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
May 2022 AIR BAGS Our vehicle has 22,000 miles and the air bag sensor on the front passenger side has malfunctioned. The passenger air bag light stays on and flashes on the dash board. After being diagnosed at a local car shop they advised the vehicle would be unsafe for a passenger to sit on that side and even with weight distributed on the seat, light stays on indicating the no airbag. As the vehicle does not have much mileage this has become a huge safety concern for myself and family. We would like to acknowledge that this is a defect of the vehicle and hope for a proposed recall for safety.
Incident: May 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Feb 2022 POWER TRAIN,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE Multiple times (greater than 10) at highway speeds Forward collision avoidance warning light displayed and applied automatic braking. This has happened with and without cruise control engaged. Vehicle feels like transmission slips then reengages while traveling at highway speeds. Repair shop has been unable to reproduce.
Incident: Jan 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Feb 2022 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES ABS Light comes on and stays on...Checking for recalls seeing if our vehicle could have same problem with brake fluid leaking on internal circuit board and possible fire danger. Also, several times our PATHFINDER will lose power or act as if you have shifted the transmission into neutral. This has happened at speeds from 30mph to 60 mph. Stalls and then after a few seconds it will resume speed.
Incident: Feb 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Feb 2022 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES The entire braking system failed without warning! My 25 year old daughter was coming up to a busy intersection that usually has semi-trucks and when she went to break the breaks failed and the pedal went to the floor. I found out that there was a recall on the Nissan Pathfinder emergency breaking system and asked Nissan as was directed on their website to immediatly tow the car to the nearest Nissan dealership to get repaired. They refused! I was on the phone with them for 5 hours telling them that they had to come get their car the ABS light had been on and the car was a risk to our family, home and community as we lived on a main street. They refused. My husband got the car to Nissan. I have since have talked to Nissan and Nissan dealership for over 12 hours. This car also has a major transmission defect that Nissan dealership denies. They said the car is find even though I told them that my husband and I both notice the car slipping. We have 10 children, 8 that still living with us including 2 disabled children. We have asked Nissan to buy back this recalled, defective car and I was told to come pick it up at the dealership tomorrow and turn back in the rental car that they fixed it as much as they would. They did nothing to the transmission, and the Transmission has extended warranty. They know it has a defective part on it and have refused to fix it and said it was fine, even though they know the car could just shut down and shake violently when I am on the way to take my daughter to Boston from Ohio for her healthcare conditions. Upon getting my car to the shop the dealership stated the Calibers were bad, the rotors were bad, the front break pads were pad, and this was all on top of the recall on this car. Nissan needs to buy back there defective car immediately and Hertz should never have sold us this car with these know defects. Nissan informed us that Hertz car sales knew about the defects before selling us this car. Please Help us with inspection!
Incident: Feb 2022
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
May 2021 SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ABS Warning light, traction control warning light, and emergency break warning light intermittently keeps coming home
Incident: Apr 2021
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Mar 2021 SERVICE BRAKES VEHICLE HAD NISSAN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) ACTUATOR SAFETY RECALL REPAIRED ON 3/12/21. TEN MINUTES AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP ABS WARNING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AGAIN AND CONTINUE TO COME ON, NOT EVERY TRIP, BUT SEVERAL TIMES PER WEEK. OBVIOUSLY, THE REPAIR HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS SAFETY ISSUE COMPLETELY. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 47,000 MILES ON IT. *JS
Incident: Mar 2021
Crash: No Fire: No 47,000
Feb 2021 SERVICE BRAKES 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE WHILE HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE RENTAL WHILE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER DECLINED HONOR THE DEAL STATING THAT THE PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS LEFT WITH THE BILL FOR THE RENTAL. *JS
Incident: Jan 2020
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Sep 2020 POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COULTER NISSAN LOCATED AT 13301 N AUTOSHOW AVE, SURPRISE, AZ 85388, (833) 782-8468, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.
Incident: Aug 2018
Crash: No Fire: No 7,000
Aug 2020 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V807000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED FUTURE NISSAN OF ROSEVILLE (600 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661, (916) 547-2242) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. DT CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL THE COMPLAINT.*JB
Incident: Nov 2019
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jun 2020 ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) THE VEHICLE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM/CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN A WARNING MESSAGE UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION WAS DISPLAYED. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WHEN THE MESSAGE OCCURS, THE BRAKES CAN STOP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Incident: Jun 2020
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Jun 2020 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES THE COLLISION DETECTION RADAR SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE AUTOMATED BRAKING SYSTEM AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS FAILING. THE RADAR SENSOR HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. *TR
Incident: Jun 2020
Crash: No Fire: No 21,000
Mar 2020 ENGINE LEFT SIDE RADIATOR COOLING FAN ON MY 2018 PATHFINDER IS FAILING AFTER ONLY 26,000 MILES. OBVIOUSLY A BIG PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES.
Incident: Mar 2020
Crash: No Fire: No 26,000
Mar 2020 UNKNOWN OR OTHER THE FRONT SENSOR KEEP SHOWING THE 'FRONT SENSOR UNAVAILABLE' FOLLOWED BY THE CRASH ICON AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY, AND ALL SPEEDS INCLUDING IN THE STOPPED POSITION. THE SENSOR GOES OUT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES NEAR THE CAR
Incident: Mar 2020
Crash: No Fire: No 5
Feb 2020 POWER TRAIN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING. AT LOW RPMS THERE IS A NOTICEABLE METALLIC SOUND AND LOSS OF POWER, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT LEAST THREE TIMES WITHOUT THEM FINDING A SOLUTION OR BEING ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. INSTEAD I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD IS THE ISSUE AND THAT IT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
Incident: Jan 2020
Crash: No Fire: No 28,000
Dec 2019 POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION SLIPPING UNDER CLOSE WEATHER. SQUEAKY NOISE AS WELL.
Incident: Dec 2019
Crash: No Fire: No Unknown
Dec 2019 SERVICE BRAKES I KEEP GETTING A WARNING FLASHES ON THE DASHBOARD TO INDICATE THE PROBLEM: 'FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION.' THE SENSOR FREQUENTLY DEACTIVATE ITSELF, DISABLING CRUISE CONTROL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. THE SYMBOL LOOKS LIKE A CRASH IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION AND NO OTHER CARS ARE AROUND, AND WHILE OTHER CARS ARE AROUND AND ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
Incident: Nov 2019
Crash: No Fire: No 45,000
Oct 2019 STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TURNING ON A BACK ROAD, THERE WAS A GUARDRAIL TO MY LEFT AND AND A TRUCK WITH A TRAILER TURNING IN FRONT OF ME ON MY RIGHT. MY SENSORS MUST HAVE THOUGHT THEY WERE TOO CLOSE BECAUSE MY CAR LOCKED UP AND I COULD NOT TURN CAUSING ME TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL.
Incident: Oct 2019
Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed 29,000
Oct 2019 PARKING BRAKE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNITED NISSAN (3025 E, NV-589, LAS VEGAS, NV 89104, (702) 832-5480) WHERE THE ECM, IVP, AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A LOANER VEHICLE. A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,435.
Incident: Jan 2019
Crash: No Fire: No 30,435

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