What's Wrong with the 4th Generation (2013–2020) Pathfinder?

Front 3/4 view of a Nissan Pathfinder

Pathfinder owners have made 446 complaints about the 2013–2020 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 41st out of 54 Nissan generations in overall reliability, with real transmission and interior concerns.

Compare With Other Pathfinder Generations

Common 2013-2020 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Some of the worst issues 4th generation Pathfinder owners have to deal with.

  1. Visor Keeps Falling Down

    Cars are complicated and can break in many ways. So it's nice to have a couple things you can just rely on #working. Outside of the stalwart cup holder, I'd argue that another hero of the interior is the humble sun visor. And yet Nissan fou…

    Continue reading article "Visor Keeps Falling Down" A busted Nissan sun visor with a headslap emoji

  4. Sunroof Rattles and Explodes

    Heads up, Nissan owners! That giant piece of glass above your head may soon be on its way down in a thousand little pieces. Lawsuits accuse Nissan of using a faulty tempering process for their sunroofs since 2008.

    Continue reading article "Sunroof Rattles and Explodes" Nissan sunroof with giant shards of glass missing

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

4th Generation (2013–2020) Pathfinder Key Numbers

  1. 6 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 446 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 41st in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 54 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 4th Generation Pathfinder Owners

Recent 4th Generation (2013–2020) Pathfinder News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. A lawsuit claiming Nissan's automatic emergency braking (AEB) system has dangerous defects will continue in court

    following a U.S. District Court judge tossing out the automaker's motion to dismiss. AEB systems monitor the road and can apply the brakes if the system detects a collision is imminnent. But according to the lawsuit, Nissan's AEB detects items that aren't there and can randomly bring the car to a screeching halt.…

    keep reading article "Nissan Wanted An Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Lawsuit Tossed. It Didn't Work."

  5. Does Nissan's automatic emergency braking (AEB) system have a defective radar?

    A California lawsuit says malfunctions in the system create random emergency braking situations when the radar detects objects that aren’t really there.

    The owner's manuals for many of the vehicles admit the automatic emergency braking systems do "not function in all driving, traffic, weather and road conditions.” But the plaintiff says the manual leaves out the part about how the systems can cause vehicles to suddenly stop even when no objects are in the driving lane.

    It’s scary to think that a safety system might actually create more crash scenarios than it prevents.

    keep reading article "AEB Lawsuit Says System Can Randomly Stop Vehicles"

  6. I have some choice words for Nissan’s anti-lock brake actuator pump.

    And yes, I realize that is an odd thing to say, but hear me out. The pump leaks brake fluid onto internal circuit boards which starts fires. And it’s been a problem more than once.

    The pumps were first recalled back in 2016. However the seals used to “fix” the leak have failed and now the pumps have been recalled again.

    Nissan is even worried enough to ask owners of the 2015-2017 Murano, 2016-2017 Maxima, 2017-2018 Pathfinder and the 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles to park their cars outside and away from things you wouldn’t like to see turned to ash.

    Maybe I should direct my choice words at Nissan instead.

    keep reading article "Nissan ABS Actuator Recalled for Starting Fires. Again."

  8. Spring is in the air, so I hate to dredge up bad news from the depths of winter

    but I want to make sure you heard about Nissan and Infiniti's January recall of problem that can quickly limit your visibility.

    At the time it was announced, Nissan (parent company of Infiniti) didn't know when the recall would begin. It's entirely possible that it already has. Have you received a recall notice in the mail?

    Owners with questions or concerns should contact Nissan at 800-647-7261.

    keep reading article "Hoods Recalled for Flying Up While Driving"

What Pathfinder Owners Say About This Generation

You Can't Even Rely On Nissan's Sun Visors to Work Properly

First the driver's side sun visor broke and would not stay up. I thought well I will pick one up from Nissan if not covered under warranty. They wanted over $125 for one visor. This is not even the visor with lights?! A month later the passenger side broke! I had to take them both down so that they were not flapping all over as we drove.

You Can't Even Rely On Nissan's Sun Visors to Work Properly

These VISORS absolutely SUCK!! I have already repaired them, and now they need to be replaced. I have read all of the comments by others and this is not acceptable to me. I am just starting the search for a new vehicle for my wife. Nissan will not be a part of the process this time. They don't want to deal with a poor production problem and unhappy consumers!

You Can't Even Rely On Nissan's Sun Visors to Work Properly

The cost to fix was 150 dollars each not including labor. What a mess the car is held together by glue and plastic. It seems to be assembled on the Lego line. What is the problem guys? You make top dollar and put your customers at risk?