YearToAvoid

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 150 engine-area complaints for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, 17% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 9,847 miles. No related recalls are listed under this component category. Three crashes and one fire were reported.

Engine complaints
150
17% of 890
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
9,847 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe shuddering or violent shaking at low speeds, around 5 to 10 mph, especially while turning.
  • Some report the vehicle stalling or stuttering during acceleration, as if not getting enough fuel, sometimes on inclines.
  • A common pattern is loss of power for several seconds while accelerating at low speed, which owners describe as dangerous in traffic.
  • One owner reported smoke emitting from the engine at 40 mph without warning, with the dealer unable to diagnose the cause.
  • Several complaints describe hesitation when pressing the gas pedal after a full stop, requiring the driver to release and reapply pressure to get the vehicle moving.
  • Multiple owners mention repeated dealer visits and transmission-related repairs, including software updates and full transmission replacements, tied to symptoms filed under the engine category.

When 2013 Nissan Pathfinder engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 3, 2013, latest Aug 1, 2025.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter172013 Q12014 Q22015 Q32017 Q12018 Q22019 Q42022 Q12024 Q2
150 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2025 Q3; peak 2014 Q2 (17).

Engine recalls for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Pathfinder model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20109 (23%)
  2. 201110 (22%)
  3. 20126 (26%)
  4. 2013150 (17%)
  5. 201486 (15%)
  6. 201594 (29%)
  7. 201630 (29%)
  8. 201787 (47%)
  9. 201822 (29%)
  10. 201921 (28%)
  11. 202018 (38%)
  12. 202224 (18%)
  13. 202318 (17%)
  14. 202421 (26%)
  15. 202510 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA lists 150 engine-area complaints for the 2013 Pathfinder, which is 17% of all 890 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder engine?
No related recalls are listed for this engine component category in the data available.
At what mileage do 2013 Pathfinder engine problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure for engine-area complaints is 9,847 miles.
Did the 2013 Pathfinder engine issue cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to this component area shows 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries reported.
How does the 2013 Pathfinder compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2013 model's 150 engine complaints are far higher in raw count than nearby years like 2012 (6 complaints) or 2014 (86 complaints), though its 17% share is lower than years like 2017, which had a 47% share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.