Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Owners filed 107 complaints about the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Oct 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (24).

Complaints
107
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system24
  2. Service brakes21
  3. Fuel/propulsion system21
  4. Engine15
  5. Power train13
  6. Forward collision avoidance8
  7. Back over prevention6
  8. Visibility/wiper6
  9. Vehicle speed control3
  10. Seats3
  11. Lane departure3
  12. Fuel system, gasoline2
  13. Seat belts2
  14. Air bags2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20222
202329
202426
202526
202624

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

24 reports1 crash
“[XXX] 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Purchased from Carvana [XXX] I was traveling from Vermont to Pennsylvania. At a [XXX] rest area, the vehicle failed to start after being parked approximately 15 minutes. Dashboard lights illuminated, but the engine would not crank, and subsequent attempts became progressively weaker. A tow truck operator jump-started the vehicle, which then restarted successfully several times. Approximately 200 miles later, while traveling in four lanes of rush-hour traffic on [XXX], the vehicle suddenly experienced a complete engine and electrical shutdown without warning. I lost all power and came to a complete stop in a middle lane. It could not be restarted. I could not safely exit the vehicle because of surrounding traffic and remained buckled in my seatbelt until police arrived to block traffic. The vehicle was towed to Ramsey Nissan. Ramsey Nissan diagnosed a failed battery, rated at 700 CCA and measuring 452 CCA. The dealership reported that the starter and alternator tested normally and no diagnostic trouble codes were stored. The battery was replaced. The dealership did not provide a documented explanation establishing why the engine shut…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11771531

Service brakes

21 reports
“2023 Nissan Pathfinder. Rear brake pads are wearing at a premature and excessive rate: replaced by the dealer approximately April 2026; on October 19, 2026, at approximately 30,172 miles, they measured 6 mm remaining while the front pads measured 8 mm. Rear pads wearing faster than front pads is atypical. Earlier dealer measurements were inconsistent (reported as 2 mm, then 6 mm, then 2 mm on different visits). The dealer could not explain whether this wear rate is normal or identify a mechanical cause. This matches a documented pattern of premature rear brake wear on 2022–2023 Pathfinders (multiple NHTSA complaints; proposed class action Iwan v. Nissan North America, No. 3:25-cv-01183, M.D. Tenn.). Concern: accelerated, unexplained rear brake degradation reduces stopping ability and may leave drivers unaware of how little pad remains.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Service brakesODI 11772295

Fuel/propulsion system

21 reports
“My vehicle has the idle stop feature. When at a red light, the vehicle shut off and went into idle mode. However, when the light turned green, and I removed my foot from the brake and pressed the gas, nothing happened. The vehicle had shut off entirely and when I turned it back on, it was in neutral. I had to put the vehicle in drive. I had 2 children in the car with me and it was very nerve racking to have a plethora of vehicles stuck behind me honking their horns because I was not moving for a green light. Now mind you, the speed limit on this road is 45 mph. If traffic was flowing, we could of been rear ended. I think we got really lucky on this day. I purchased this vehicle 8 days ago. I researched this issue and it is a common issue, however, there is no recall for it. https://www.reddit.com/r/nissanpathfinder/comments/14ov95d/2023_pathfinder_auto_start_issue_shifts_to/”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11722912

Engine

15 reports
“While driving the vehicle at approximately 25 miles per hour, on its own, the vehicle put itself into neutral and a warning light to exit the vehicle appeared. Thankfully we safely pulled the car over to the side of the road. Upon restarting the vehicle, it operated normally. Had this incident occurred at a higher rate of speed or on a busy road, there could have been very different consequences.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11748180

Power train

13 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N). The check engine, seat belt, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle briefly experienced unintended acceleration without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The transmission failed to shift to drive(D) and remained stuck in neutral(N). The contact drove the vehicle at reduced speeds to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the mass air flow (MAF) sensor had failed and there was carbon buildup in the throttle body. The contact was informed that MAF sensor and throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Fuel system, gasolineODI 11765076

Forward collision avoidance

8 reports1 crash
“Rear camera and camera functionality just stopped working. The OVM is functioning with everything else just not the camera! Yet, diagnostics state that it is an OVM issue and cost $2,500.00 to fix. Safety concerns of no camera and unable to view pedestrians.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2026Electrical system, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11755308
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.