2018 Nissan Pathfinder Complaints

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 07/29/2026

The vehicle veers towards the right, even though a wheel alignment was completed on 7/1/26. On 7/28/26 when driving the vehicle, it wouldn’t accelerate properly, it felt sluggish and although the gas pedal was depressed it was struggling to pick up speed. As the vehicle was attempting to shift between 2nd and 3rd gears the car jolted forward and the traction control and collision lights came on. Both lights reset when the car is off but the vehicle jolts and beeps w/in 5 mins of driving and then the lights come back. This has been happening everyday multiple times a day since 7/28/26. On 7/30/26, the Check Engine light came on and has stayed illuminated w/ code P0101 populating on the obdii reader. The vehicle is currently at the dealership, I am awaiting a diagnosis of the issue which they said may take 3-4 days. I have only had this vehicle for 46 days.

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 01/11/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention camera screen display malfunctioned, and there was a black image displayed, creating a hazard for the driver. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the infotainment screen display malfunctioned, and the screen was black. During the failure, the driver was unable to view vital information related to the engine oil levels. The local dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the screen needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/23/2025

Infotainment system stopped working. Now radio, no climate control visible and NO backup camera most of the time. Very dangerous without the backup camera

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 01/02/2026

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blank screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall that had a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE — Filed 07/01/2024

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle hesitated while starting the vehicle and pressing the Push to Start button. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that there was sludge in the engine oil. The mechanic stated that sludge was found in the oil due to a lack of regular oil changes. The contact disputed the claim and provided receipts that all oil changes were up to date. The contact had the engine taken apart by the dealer and an independent mechanic, and both discovered metal shavings inside the engine, which had resulted in the engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/06/2025

The transmission is going bad which makes it dangerous to drive. Had it 2 days and I check my FIXD module and found code. Took to where I purchased it and the drained cvt fluid and now makes a whinning sound and garage knows. U was told they inspected it before selling it to me. No codes where on dash either.

Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness,Insert, Padding — Filed 10/19/2025

My Nuna rava was part of the recent recall that happened. The company offered remedy kits to replace the seat fabrics as well as tools to clean where the harness straps tightened/loosened. We received the remedy kit in March after waiting 3 months for the kits to be available. I followed the instructions for cleaning of the car seat and installation of the new cover. My child’s safety was put at risk as the straps are now able to loosen without pressing the button. We had not had strap loosening issues initially, but now are despite having followed the instructions as part of the recall which I was told would resolved the issue and prevent further concern over the strap mechanism failing. To my knowledge this is a known issue that is what caused the recall for the car seat in the first place. I have removed the car seat from use as it is no longer safe with the straps loosening. I have contacted Nuna Baby customer support.

BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 09/15/2024

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that occasionally, while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the digital screen displayed a Nissan Logo that faded away. In addition, the contact stated that the digital screen would blip or show an upside-down image of the rear-view camera display. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the failure was not identified. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V654000( Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

ENGINE — Filed 10/21/2024

My 2018 Nissan Pathfinder started knocking at 75000 miles and it’s getting worse by the day I’ve paid my car payment down to 4000$ and now I’m told my motor is soon to go out.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 07/21/2025

My 2018 Nissan Pathfinder SL has had to have the engine replaced once due to the CVP issues with the transmission causes in the engine to fail. It was replaced not even two years ago and now the issue has presented itself yet again and the engine has failed once again. I believe that this vehicle should be issued for recall because this is an issue that has happened twice engine has failed twice car will not run. Will not turn over vehicle is at a standstill. I want somebody to contact me regarding this because this is not acceptable.

ENGINE — Filed 05/07/2025

On May 7th at 1:22 PM, the engine in my 2018 Nissan Pathfinder catastrophically failed for the second time while my family was driving. The engine completely lost power in the middle of a very busy highway intersection, going over an overpass, where there was no shoulder. I had no ability to pull off the road. My wife had to push the disabled vehicle off the highway to avoid causing a major accident. This was an incredibly dangerous situation where my entire family’s life was at risk. My wife could have been struck by oncoming traffic while we were pushing the vehicle to safety. There was no protection or space to safely move out of traffic. This is the second catastrophic engine failure on this vehicle. The first engine failed just over two years prior and was replaced by the dealership. Despite the replacement, the second engine also failed, repeating the same critical failure that Nissan Pathfinders from this model year are widely known to experience. There were no prior warning lamps or engine codes during this incident. The engine immediately lost power and locked up while in motion. This vehicle was properly maintained, and all scheduled services were performed by licensed service providers. Additional Supporting Evidence: •Incident Date: May 7th at 1:22 PM •Photos of the disabled vehicle on the side of the highway provided. •Screenshot of text message conversation at the time of the incident (attached). •This failure is consistent with multiple NHTSA complaints, owner reports, class-action lawsuits, and technical service bulletins regarding systemic engine failures in the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 01/07/2025

The disabled vehicle when delivered by flatbed car hauler unit to the nearest dealership, Petro Nissan, 47 miles from the breakdown site would not move at highway speed but only jerked/bucked and crept along at little more than a fast walk. This condition was last experienced when the vehicle had been on a remote undulating interstate for about 2 hours. The check engine light had reappeared after being recently reset and the engine revving and loss of ground speed started causally then increased in frequency and intensity until totally failing to the point of forcing me to creep with emergency flashers in mode on the shoulder to reach an exit two miles ahead. The high RPM revving coupled with the ground speed loss condition initial stages occurred each of the two prior days. Two Nissan NA dealerships in those two days had performed diagnostics and service. On each prior day the check engine light, the high revving engine RPM, and the ground speed loss occurred. On each day a potentially serious safety issue arose. Initially an attempt to match speed and merge with traffic at an onramp and again when (using cruise control) during which the vehicle system attempted an automatic acceleration to maintain speed on rolling hills. Both conditions forced me to the shoulder to avoid a potential accident from immediate and drastic ground speed loss and engine revving at or above 4500 RPM After each of these incidents a Nissan NA dealership was consulted and services were performed. In each case I postulated to the service advisors that the transmission sounded/felt like it was slipping on acceleration when the vehicle/ transmission had heated up from extended driving. Both days service advisors checked for diagnostic codes of transmission issues but never mentioned emission issues aside from mass air flow sensor or ABS sensors apparently either not seeing or not looking beyond transmission related codes. The first dealer, Illini Nissan, ran diagnostics on 1/6/25,

STEERING,ENGINE — Filed 11/03/2024

The engine began to fail because of a lack of adequate breathability into the crankcase, causing high crankcase pressure, excessive oil blowby, severe exhaust smoke, severe engine sludge, severe engine shuddering, and lack of response to the power steering because of engine power loss. The failure of the PCV system was at fault. Produced codes P0300, P0306, and P0430. Engine sludge needed to be cleaned, PCV hoses and PCV needed to be replaced, spark plugs needed to be replaced because of blowby, and valve covers also needed to be replaced because of sludge clogging the PCV baffles within the valve covers.

STEERING — Filed 10/02/2024

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the brake pedal was depressed because the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the air bag then deployed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel remained inoperable. The contact towed the vehicle to his place of employment. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/16/2024

The Display Control Unit (DCU) went blank on my 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. No working display causing steering wheel controls not to work. This includes being unable to use any hands-free phone calls. This is a significant safety issue. Nissan has a voluntary recall for this problem on the 2018 and 2019 Pathfinder, but for whatever reason my VIN Is not included. Multiple attempts to have Nissan fix and they refuse. I can’t tell you how unsafe it makes traveling with no working display and no hands-free phone capabilities. Requesting your assistance to require Nissan to recall this problem on the 2018 Pathfinder.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 01/01/2024

While driving the car it randomly turns off and turns back on it also jerks initially. All lights on the dashboard turn off and back on, speakers make a loud BOOM sound! Have experienced the car not starting. Bought a new battery thinking that was the issue, it wasn't.

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/26/2024

While driving the airbag passenger light went on then off then the red airbag light on the dashboard started flashing and continues to flash.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 02/02/2024

I was driving along at 35-40 mph and the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating when I gave it gas. Nearly empty at the time so I thought maybe it was a gas issue. I drove it a couple of days after that and it drove just fine. I filled her up with premium gas, thinking that it would fix the problem. The third time I went to drive it was last Friday, [XXX] It would barely accelerate. it took about maybe a quarter to 1/3 of a mile for it to get up to 40 mph, during which time I have my foot smashed on the gas pedal all the way down to the floor. I went to pick up my dogs, pet food, which was 5 miles away. I made it there. I was not sure that I would make it back. I live in Colorado Springs, which is a city full of very much traffic, and I was afraid that my vehicle was going to stop in the middle of the road and I was going to get creamed by an oncoming car. I just purchased this vehicle back in October. I have barely driven it myself, as I don’t go out that often. The main reason for this vehicle is my profoundly disabled child to her doctors appointments and back. Now if we stop in the middle of the road and my daughter is killed by an oncoming car because this car just stops working… what a tragedy that would be. I went online and looked up this issue on Reddit and other forums. I found a post all the way back to 2013 from a gentleman who had the same exact issue. Now I’m not sure why. In 10 years you guys have not insured that Nissan fixes this issue but I find this to be pathetic. A six-year-old car should not be doing this. Now I am paying $380 a month and have a $20,000 loan on a vehicle that I cannot even drive, for fear that I will die in it. Somebody needs to figure this out, and Nissan needs to stop producing garbage vehicles that put peoples lives at risk. You guys need to ensure this gets done, that’s part of your job. 100% certain that I am not the first person that has submitted a complaint about this to you guys. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SEATS — Filed 01/20/2024

Second row seat on the passenger side base will not fold down after the release handle was pulled so occupants in the 3rd row can exit the vehicle. The latch will not engage to its in a locked position.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 12/27/2023

The vehicle had 58,827 miles when the fuel pump failed on 12/27/2023. The vehicle stalled at a 4-way intersection during an errand run. The vehicle would not move when shifted into drive and eventually die. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop (Greg's Japanese Auto), where a certified technician confirmed and replaced the fuel pump.

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/30/2023

Driver and passenger airbags deployed without cause while driving on busy expressway. No lights, warnings, sounds or crash in any way caused deployment. Broke windshield and car has been inoperative since. Insurance can't help and Nissan is being difficult trying to put blame on us. Insurance and State Police put in reports that it is a manufacturer malfunction and we are not responsible. Nissan will look at but is stalling and not giving clear timetables. Won't help with towing or rental.

POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS — Filed 03/05/2023

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.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 04/12/2018

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.

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/22/2019

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/09/2019

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WAS STOPPED ON THE INTERSTATE AND HIT IN THE REAR AT A HIGH SPEED. THEN MY SUV HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IT CAUSED CLOSE TO $9000 IN DAMAGE.