2023 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering critical fasteners. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Unintended neutral shift and engine stall while driving.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Campaign #23V268000 · Apr 13, 2023

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Rogue, Pathfinder, and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The driver's powered seat may not be fully secured to the seat frame, causing the seat frame welds to detach from the rear inboard seat bracket.

Risk: An unsecured seat with broken welds may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat rail clearance, and if necessary, replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 10, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC966, PC967.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder.

Reported to NHTSA

Unintended neutral shift and engine stall while driving

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE

22 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06-28 → 2026-07-22

On July 20, 2026, my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder failed to accelerate after stopping at a red light. The engine did not rev, and the vehicle barely moved despite accelerator input. After 40 seconds the car start moving normally
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11752173
My car has been flipping into manual mode from a stopped position. It’s happened about a dozen times at this point. I’ve taken it to the dealership multiple times. The first time I took it in they said they did some software updates. A few weeks later it happened again
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11571616
When the start/stop auto function is engaged (idling stop system), about 1 out of 10 times it kicks the transmission into neutral when the break is released and the driver attempts to start driving again. The driver then has to put the transmission back into drive
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11547477
I just bought my pathfinder and it has under 600 miles. As I drive the vehicle, it will automatically switch over to neutral right in the middle of the highway and has almost caused accidents and a loss of my life
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11537384

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Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear

SERVICE BRAKES

17 NHTSA complaints · 2023-08-29 → 2026-07-11

I brought my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder in for an oil change and tire rotation at 33, 221 miles and was informed my rear brake pads were worn and my rotors needed to be re-surfaced. I understand this is a long standing issue with 2022 and 2023 Nissan Pathfinders
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11699353
At approximately 14,600 miles, a Nissan dealer measured the rear brake pads at approximately 3 mm, while the front brakes were still in good condition. A second inspection by an independent repair facility confirmed advanced rear brake wear and further determined that the rear
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11706465
I took the car in for the NYS inspection and was told that I need new rear brakes. The car is only a year old and has only 16,000 miles on it. Nissan’s own website says that brakes should last between 30-70k miles
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11622709
Rear brakes needed to be replaced at 20,000 miles. Dealership stated it was normal for electronic brakes to go out that early, which is absurd. Took the car to another mechanic to have the work done, turns out it was a defect in the assembly of the car and the brakes were
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11694733

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Around View Monitor control unit failure

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

8 NHTSA complaints · 2025-09-10 → 2026-08-06

The Around View Monitor (AVM) system failed. The rear backup camera image no longer functions properly due to a failed AVM control unit. The vehicle is a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum equipped with Nissan’s camera-based surround view and backup camera system
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743693
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 report, NHTSA ODI #11755308
I am reporting a failure of the Around View Monitor / camera system on my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The system stopped functioning completely without warning. Pressing the camera button does nothing, the camera cannot be activated through vehicle settings, and no camera views
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11713250
My car only has 64000 miles on it and the back up camera module went out, I have had same issue with a 2019 model I had, and I have seen online where others have had the same issues
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11738292

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Fuel pump failure causing engine stall

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06-28 → 2024-08-16

Just bought 2023 Pathfinder Platinum edition and drove it once. First time driving on the highway at 70 mph on cruise control, the engine stopped and a message came across the dash saying " Your engine has stalled. Please pull over to a safe area"
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11538536
Vehicle stalled and the engine quit twice trying to enter the highway. The vehicle restarted but went into limp mode and would not accelerate at all, just ran with extremely rough idle. I waited several minutes and finally the vehicle restarted and would finally move
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11541860
The vehicle has stalled out multiple times, 3 days in a row, nearly causing my wife and children to be rear-ended by a semi truck on 2 occasions. The issue is the vehicle gets to about 27 mph, revs up to 6K rpms, stops moving forward and begins to slow down (at 6K rpms)
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608958
Yesterday my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder SL abruptly stalled about a minute into my morning commute on a busy road in traffic. The dash panel illuminated that the car "stalled". The car wouldn't immediately restart & engage
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11544514

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Sunroof drain system water intrusion into cabin

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2025-11-18 → 2026-04-08

I am reporting a recurring defect involving the sunroof drain system in my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum that has caused multiple interior flooding incidents. The vehicle has flooded three separate times due to failure of the sunroof drainage system
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11730013
The panoramic sunroof drain system is defective, causing water to leak into the cabin during rain, dripping from the driver-side overhead console and door area. This matches Nissan TSB NTB23-073 (Oct 9, 2023), which admits a design flaw in the front drain grommets
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11700068
After a hard rain water started pouring into cabin from a Pilar’s, headliner, sun visor lights, vanity eye glass holder, dome light…. There is a leak from sunroof and dealers say it’s a known issue but not a warranty item
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11746833

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Forward collision avoidance system malfunction

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

4 NHTSA complaints · 2024-02-15 → 2025-12-08

Forward warning system dashboard light goes on and does not shut off. Module has been replaced at a cost of $2500 and this has not solved the problem. Light has gone off with a chime alarm and yellow triangle with an exclamation point too
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11703671
In the past week or so I’ve experienced a blinking front collision light blinking as I’m driving. In the past two days the blinking light is now an actual audible alert with a collision warning system malfunction warning light saying it is disabled
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11572234
Stopped at light the car suddenly bolted forward hitting ( 4-5 ft between vehicles)car infront. My car then bolted forward and hit the vehicle again. The gear shift would not respond to putting it into park, The only way it was corrected was turn off the engine
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11646787

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Second-row seat belt buckle locking and release failure

SEAT BELTS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2024-05-28 → 2026-03-02

TWO SEATBELT LOCKING MECHANISMS HAVE FAILED TO LOCK THE SEATBELT BUCKLES IN PLACE; THE THIRD SEATBELT LOCKING MEACHANISM FAILED TO RELEASE THE BUCKLE. ALL LOCATED IN THE SECOND ROW OF MY VEHICLE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11724692
The driver's seat belt chime randomly goes off even when the seat belt is buckled. This has happened more than 15 times already. Every time I take it to the car dealer, they inspect it and cannot find what is wrong with it because it is not happening at the moment of my arrival
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11592390

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Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

4 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.