2018 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance2423.5%
- Brakes2120.6%
- Electrical1312.7%
- Engine1312.7%
- Powertrain (other)1211.8%
- Steering65.9%
- Airbags43.9%
- Visibility22.0%
- Fuel system22.0%
- Other / unspecified11.0%
- Exterior lighting11.0%
- Interior & seats11.0%
- Suspension11.0%
- Body & structure11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Front collision shuts off intermittently for no reason. Causes cruise control to shut off immediately and disabled collision avoidance breaking. If cruise is on and approaching slower vehicle car will not slow down causing driver to break aggressively.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Infotainment system stopped working. Now radio, no climate control visible and NO backup camera most of the time. Very dangerous without the backup camera
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving the airbag passenger light went on then off then the red airbag light on the dashboard started flashing and continues to flash.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE EXPLOSION MADE AN ABNORMAL BANGING SOUND SIMILAR TO GUN FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED KELLY NISSAN OF WOBURN (95 CEDAR ST, WOBURN, MA 01801, (781) 835-3500) TO INFORM THEM OF THE FAILURE, BUT AN APPOINTMENT WAS NOT SCHEDULED BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
THE LARGE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR, COMBINED WITH THE LOW SEAT CAUSES A LARGE BLIND SPOT. ANY VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIAN ON THE DRIVERS LEFT SIDE ARE DIFFICULT BE SEE. I AM UPLOADING A PICTURE OF THE VIEW I HAVE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. IN THE PICTURE WHERE THE RED ARROW IS POINTING THERE IS ACTUALLY A STREET COMING OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS YOU CAN SEE THE DRIVER CANNOT POSSIBLY HAVE A CLEAR VIEW OF TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS COMING FROM THAT STREET ON THE LEFT SIDE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
MY HUSBAND ROGER AND I PURCHASED A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AT GRANITE NISSAN IN RAPID CITY, SD. WE DROVE TO DICKINSON, ND TO DROP OFF MY STEPSON TO SEE HIS MOTHER AS REQUIRED BY COURT ORDER EVERY MONTH. THE TRIP THERE HAS NO CELLULAR SERVICE AND TEMPERATURES THAT REACH SUBZERO. UPON ARRIVING IN DICKINSON, WE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE RPMS BECAME ERRATIC. WE ALSO NOTICED DECREASED FUEL EFFICIENCY. THE LIGHT CAME ON WITH LESS THAN 400 TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE CONSULTED THE USER MANUAL WHICH ADVISED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINING ON. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION OF READY FOR PICK UP, THERE WAS NO RESOLVE. THE SERVICEMAN CLAIMED THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE 'CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NISSAN'. HE SAID THEY CLEARED THE ERROR AND THAT WE WILL NOTICE LESS EFFICIENCY WITH GAS MILEAGE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T BREAKDOWN BUT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT MAY HAPPEN. WE PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE TO BETTER ENSURE A SAFE MEANS TO DRIVE IN DESOLATE AREAS AND IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE MONTHLY TRANPORTING OUR SON FOR VISITATION. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS DISMISSIVE/BELITTLED OUR CONCERNS WHEN ASKING ABOUT SAFETY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THAT WE HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD AND SIX YEAR OLD WHO RIDE DAILY IN THE CAR IN ADDITION TO OUR 14 YEAR OLD WHO TAKES THE MONTHLY TRIPS TO ND. WE ARE WAITING FOR NISSAN TO REPLY WITH WHEN AND HOW THE ERROR CODE P34A9, INTAKE TIMING CONTROL WILL BE FIXED AND IF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OR OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THIS ERROR OCCURS. IF WE ARE STRANDED IN DESOLATE ND IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES, OUR LIVES WILL BE AT RISK AS EVEN IF THE 'SOS' FEATURE WERE TO BE PRESSED, THE NEAREST EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ARE HOURS AWAY. WE'VE INQUIRED WITH NISSAN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS 2018 PATHFINDER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
"TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE IS NON OPERABLE AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION, AXEL, KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, WINDOW, BACK UP CAMERA, AND MANY MORE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR LIFT GATE DOOR JAMS AND THE MOTORIZED FUNCTION WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY OR THE SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ONLY WAY TO OPERATE IT IS BY MANUAL FORCEFULLY OPENING OR CLOSING AGAINST THE LIFT ARMS. THE MECHANISM WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .