2013 Nissan Pathfinder consumer reviews

My prior auto was a Lincoln Navigator. This is a real disappointment for me. Just little things are wrong with the Pathfinder, so I won't buy another Nissan. 1. Sun Visor: The two sun visors on the front windshield should be "double-visor" designs, not single. A double-visor design would allow the driver (or passenger) to put his visor on the side window, then pull down the second visor (from behind the first one) for the front windshield. My Navigator had this simple and cheap addition, and it was great. It's one of those little additions that once you have it, you never want to be without it. 2. Drivers Seat Movement: The range of movement for the drivers seat is somewhat restricted for a tall person. It should go up/down and back/forward more. The passenger seat is less noticeable (concerning this restriction) because the passenger has more room, but the passenger seat suffers from the same issue. 3. Front Bucket Seat Comfort: Both front seats are uncomfortable. What is noticed most is the driver's seat. The seat bottom is hard, narrow, and the sides of the seat bottom push in at a steep angle. In short, the seat design is very uncomfortable. It would have been a simple matter to design something comfortable, like my prior Navigator. 4. Speed Control: The speed control system algorithm is very poor. This bad design results in too much variation in the speed which it tries to maintains. 5. Speed Control Setting: When one has the speed control set to "on" and slightly taps the speed control button up in order to increase the "set speed," the speed control system should respond with a slight increase in the previous "set speed." My other cars have done this ? maybe bumping up the "set speed" by a mile or two for each slight tap on the button. This does not happen with the Pathfinder. It instead adjusts to a new speed setting based on the current speed. Sometimes this might even reduce the "set speed." It is irritating. Maybe it has something to do with the poorly maintained speed control to begin with. 6. Heat Controls: The heat controls for the cabin temperatures do not keep the temperatures set closely to the desired settings. Instead, the temperature varies too widely, resulting "too cold" and then "too hot" feelings for the front passenger and driver. 7. Control Cluster Location: There is a cluster of control buttons on the dash on the lower left of the steering wheel (rear door, steering heat, etc.). This cluster is too low, difficult to see, and dangerous to try and use when driving. This was a terrible place to locate these controls. 8. Outside Mirrors: The two outside mirrors need to be electrically folding, not the manual process now incorporated. Any SUV is a wider vehicle, and I have several locations where I park and need to pull in both mirrors in order to easily get into the parking garages. Without electric mirrors, this can be very difficult to pull in the right mirror manually when no passenger is in that seat. My Navigator had this feature of electric mirrors, and I found it very convenient and now miss it greatly. 9. Rear Step: For trips, I sometimes put packages or a car-top carrier on the top of my Pathfinder. Unlike my Navigator, the Pathfinder does not have a step on the back to stand on when installing the car-top carrier or when putting material on top of the car-top rack. I now have to get a ladder to accomplish this, and the ladder makes it a dangerous task. This Pathfinder missing feature is a very poor design for anyone that intends to use the carrier rails on top of the car. 10. Side Step (Running) Boards: All SUVs need running boards on both sides so it is easier to step up and inside the vehicle. I realize that many do not, but this feature adds a lot of value and it would be nice to have these on your Pathfinder model. I like many features about my new Pathfinder, but these items above are totally irritating. As a result, I would not recommend this model to anyone. Also, I would not buy this product again. There are too many good SUV models available as alternatives.

I have the 2014 Platinum Premium. We have only had it for a month but I love the car so far. There have not been any issues. One problem w AC/Heat is the defrost/heat choices are preprogrammed. Its not as user friendly as say conventional turn dial choices. You have to get used to the CVT transmission characteristics. I often found myself waiting for a gear change...nothing wrong...but just an awkward feeling. (I would have like to see more power and acceleration although it is not bad.) Outside of those two minor things, the vehicle is great. Roomy, accessible third row. The features in this vehicle are EXCELLENT! Too many to list. Ride and handling characteristics are great for an SUV this size. It is a great value. Very happy I made this choice. Time will tell for a more accurate review of performance and reliability.

I live in northern Canada bought the pathfinder SL trim in November 2012. The ride is great long trips are enjoyable and can't beat the gas mileage for such a large SUV. The issues started went winter hit. At minus 25C the remote works only once in a while, the ventilation system is poor as you cannot use defrost ans feet combination or your side windows will freeze on you. At minus 30 your visibility is diminish to a point were you can't see if there's a car in the blind spot. Roof molding flew away, packed snow in the wheel well pushed against the front bumper on it cracked for 1 foot $1800 to replace. Having to use the defrost all the time means that you will freeze your feet on the mat...good car for California maybe but not for the great white north. Obviously Nissan can't do anything as it takes a redesigned of the ventilation system so they blame the cold weather...go figure..anyway I took my lost and got a 2013 Mazda CX-9..I had no issue with the CVT even if I had to show up for two recalls.

I bought a pre owned certified pathfinder 2013 in january 2 2014 today is my second visit to the services department at nissan dealer. With the same problem of shuddering when you drive it in less than 30 miles , thet reprogrammed the tcm or pcm whatever they call it. But my opinion I do not recomend this vehicle. The money you pay for it is way to high for the quality .I dont even want to drive it .waiting here while the wasting my gas testing something they know is malfunctioning.

Leased the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. New design looked good and reported gas mileage was promising. I have had nothing but trouble from day 1.Antilock brake recall, re window washer quits working, electronics went dead so I could not even open the car let alone start it. Now starting troubles and the drivers side power window will not work in cold weather! All of the other power windows work just fine but not the one I need most. Dealer told me it was just the cold. Dealer did the brake callipers at 25000 km whether they needed it or not... no choice because it is on the 25k service list.... a $300 touch on a new vehicle. Trying to get out of this lease and away from Nissan.

I can't really explained how this happened but starting winter 2013, we experienced this while driving... I'm a lady driver so I don't know exactly why it turned to like "no power" when accelarating it. I know for sure that winter driving is different from any other season, however, the value for money of this SUV is so disappointing. We brought it to dealership for service check up and drive test. But it seems like they said "no found irregularities at this point". Now what it feels like just making stories and complaints with no evidence of malfunctions? This is so unfair right?

The biggest issue, I have just taken the vehicle in for the second time for the transmission shudder. The vehicle also had rubber seal come loose on the roof. It eats up the tires on the front, needs replaced after 14k miles. The power window in the back stop working. It also is leaking engine coolant. DONT BUY, it is way over priced and has too many problems.

We traded our 2012 Maxima in for the 2013 Pathfinder we required additional space for our third child.. Shortly after me and my wife deployed to Afghanistan but left the Pathfinder with kids and in law so they had dependable transportation. Recently I have just return back to the USA went to pick up the kids and truck so I decide to visit Hilton Head Island with plans to return home prior to the New Years to renew my Vehicle registration. But the Transmission quit inside an intersection and need to be replaced. Made attempt to trade in my truck to NISSAN but trade in value was $16,000 less then original purchase price within less than 12 months. The dealership rental car is only limited to SC while I wait for the repairs so out the pocket expense for additional night in the hotel but now I've been inform that Nissan has to approve the Transmission so about 2 weeks and waiting for other rental car to return home until repairs complete. TO BE CONTINUE THE NIGHTMARE..

you can't go wrong with a Nissan. This is our third Nissan and we just love it. We wanted the extra cargo room.

The Pathfinder is beautiful and comfortable. It was perfect fit for our family. I was very disappointed that the transmission was not workin properly. The transmission was replaced at 11,000 miles which took 50 days because the transmission was on back order. After it was replaced the transmission started acted up again. Nissan baught it back via the lemon law...