2018 Nissan Pathfinder problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about driver assistance & safety tech. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
47
Recalls
3
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Median mileage
37,500 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech is the most-reported problem area, named in 11 of 47 complaints (23%).
  • Engine (11) and brakes (10) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 37,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury.
  • The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 11th of 21 Nissan Pathfinder model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 61% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (120).

2018 Nissan Pathfinder problems by category

  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    11 complaints
  • Engine
    11 complaints
  • Brakes
    10 complaints
  • Electrical System
    10 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    9 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    9 complaints
  • Airbags
    4 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine11
Electrical system10
Service brakes9
Power train9
Unknown or other8
Forward collision avoidance: warnings4
Air bags4
Back over prevention3

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k410k–30k130k–60k460k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Nissan Pathfinder complaints that list mileage.

2018 Nissan Pathfinder recalls (3)

  • Recall 19V807000Nov 8, 2019391,479 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

  • Recall 19V654000Sep 12, 20191,228,830 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

  • Recall 18V601000Sep 7, 2018215,124 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Recent 2018 Nissan Pathfinder complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Aug 7, 2026AZEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11755553 · source
  2. Filed Mar 31, 202699,000 miGADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11728330 · source
  3. Filed Mar 14, 2026PAElectrical System
    Infotainment system stopped working. Now radio, no climate control visible and NO backup camera most of the time. Very dangerous without the backup camera
    NHTSA complaint #11724368 · source
  4. Filed Jan 6, 2026131,000 miILDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11709224 · source
  5. Filed Dec 4, 202593,000 miPAEngine
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11702980 · source
  6. Filed Nov 2, 2025PAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    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.
    NHTSA complaint #11696992 · source
  7. Filed Oct 20, 2025TXOther / Unknown
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11694628 · source
  8. Filed Sep 16, 202589,000 miSCDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    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,…
    NHTSA complaint #11687680 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology