2023 Nissan Pathfinder Safety Report
2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (89) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2026 | Compare against the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2022 | Check the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Pathfinder Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Pathfinder years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Nissan Pathfinder | 46 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Nissan Pathfinder | 123 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Nissan Pathfinder | 34 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2026 Nissan Pathfinder | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Nissan Pathfinder | 44 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Pathfinder | 71 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2023 Nissan Pathfinder Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyService Brakes
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Nissan onlyFuel/Propulsion System
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Nissan onlyPower Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Reliability Score
The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder receives a reliability score of 89 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seatbelt Locking Mechanism Failure Two seatbelt locking mechanisms have failed to lock the seatbelt buckles in place, and the third mechanism failed to release the buckle. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brake Vibration When stepping on the brakes, there is a noticeable vibration as if the rotors are worn. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Around View Monitor Failure The Around View Monitor/camera system has failed completely, and the forward warning system dashboard light does not shut off despite a $2500 module replacement. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Wheel Control Button Malfunction The control buttons on the steering wheel are malfunctioning, affecting various functions. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder:
Two seatbelt locking mechanisms have failed to lock the seatbelt buckles in place, and the third mechanism failed to release the buckle.
When stepping on the brakes, there is a noticeable vibration as if the rotors are worn.
The Around View Monitor/camera system has failed completely, and the forward warning system dashboard light does not shut off despite a $2500 module replacement.
The control buttons on the steering wheel are malfunctioning, affecting various functions.
Recall Details for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An unsecured seat with broken welds may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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. THE FIRST TWO HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SEATBELT LOCKING MECANISM ON THE THIRD BECAUSE WE DROPPED AND LOST THE BUCKLE, THIS FAILURE PUT MY CHILD IN DANGER A...
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 racki...
Went out to my car and shut the door. Heard a cracking sound after I shut the door. Then the back window fell in. It completely shattered the back window from shut the driver side front door.
On my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder I have approximately 25000 miles on it. When I step on the brakes, there is a noticable vibration as if the rotors are warped and pads worn. The brakes and rotors should not be an issue this soon.
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 (rear, front, or surround) are available. Parking sensors and the infotainment screen continue to work, indicating a system-l...
My vehicle has had 3 fuel pump failures in under a year, requiring 3 separate fuel pump replacements by an authorized Nissan dealership. The fuel pump failure causes the vehicle without warning to stall in active traffic, loss of power and the drivers seat to move back away from the steering wheel. The infotainment center has also failed 2 times and had to be replaced 2 separate times by an aut...
I am reporting a concern regarding premature rear brake pad and rotor wear on a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder that appears inconsistent with mileage and normal driving conditions and may indicate a brake system design or control issue. The vehicle was purchased as Nissan Certified Pre-Owned with approximately 4,000 miles and has received multiple Nissan dealer inspections with no brake concerns noted. A...
Premature wear on rear brakes and dealers tells there fine each time I’ve taken it in for service I don’t think they even test driven the car is shakes and vibrates when you brake at speeds higher than 30-40 mph. They advised me the battery needs replacing on the last service that it’s showing some sort of signs that needs to be replaced. The heated seats on the passenger side just stopped working...
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. We were told we needed to get it fixed as soon as possible for safety reasons. Unfortunately, Nissan dealer can't seem to fix the problem and we're afraid to dr...
The control buttons located on the steering wheel of the newer model Nissan Pathfinder are malfunctioning. These buttons control numerous functions and sensors. What's happening is, the spring action of the buttons are failing and the button is loose. This causes the button to make contact as if it was pushed without touching it, simply driving over a bump. Some of these buttons control warning se...
Vehicle Year: 2023 Make: Nissan Model: Pathfinder Platinum 4WD VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 24,500 Date First Noticed: October 8, 2025 Problem: 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 grommet...
Front Parking assist sensors excessively activates theyre calibrated no faults given to Nissan Tech even at a complete stop they go off with loud obnoxious beeping this has been documented by my local dealer they're dumbfounded because there's no faults any speed under 6 MPH they're going off non stop as if there's obstruction or object there is. nothing Nissan Techs originally completely useless ...
AVM cameras stopped working. The Pathfinder is a large vehicle with inherent blind spots. The rearview camera system is essential for safety. The problem was inspected and verified by local Nissan dealership (Jim Kerras Nissan of Jackson, TN). The problem is unresolved and dealership has made very little effort to reconcile. The issue started for no apparent reason and the vehicle is just outside ...
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. I rive 95% highway miles , never use my cruise control or electronic parking brake. I understand the rear brake pads are considerably small...
Passenger side captain seat frame has too much play causing shaking and noise in the seat when passenger is in seat. Frame was replaced 05/2024 and same issue has occurred less than a year later. After accident on 10/17/2025, sound has gotten worse in seat and inspection shows frame to be critical. At time of accident passenger was in seat. Accident involved a deer on front passenger side bumper a...
Heard a high pitch whistle sound coming from front right of vehicle when accelerating. Mechanic confirmed it’s a vacuum leak in the intake manifold runner. Nissan says this is not part of powertrain warranty will not cover. Last I checked the intake is part of powertrain. Vehicle has 40,000 miles on it. Have seen multiple other complaints about this issue online. Part is on a national back order a...
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 not fully releasing so we basically were riding our brakes for 20,000 miles. According to the dealership they were getting a lo...
I was informed of a need to replace worn rear brake pads and rotors due to excessive wear after just over 19,000 miles. Being treated as a wear item despite the fact that the issue is common and known by the manufacturer as an issue. After almost 3 years no recall has been done. Thankfully this was caught prior to the brakes entering a failing state.
Mold & Mildew smell is coming from air vents every time vehicle starts. Bommarito Nissan of hazelwood first said they smelled something when we brought it in. But they said we must’ve spilled a drink and suggested we clean our carpets. We knew that wasn’t true but we had it professionally cleaned and aired out. The dealership also replaced both filters and cleaned the evaporator. The smell didn’t ...
Safety Cameras stopped working on the screen just gives black image when cars put into reverse. If cameras button is pushed screen swaps over to a black screen.
Showing 20 of 89 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
Has the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER been recalled?
Yes, the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
The 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 89 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER involve unknown or other (14 complaints), service brakes (12 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (8 complaints). Other affected components include power train, electrical system, engine,fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER out of 89 total complaints (4.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER is acceptable with caveats. It has 89 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The components with the most failures on the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (12 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (8 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 14 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Be cautious of potential seatbelt locking mechanism failures and service brake vibrations. Ensure the Around View Monitor and steering wheel control buttons function properly before purchasing. The 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 89 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER receives a reliability score of 89/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 89 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Seatbelt Locking Mechanism Failure and Service Brake Vibration.
What are the known issues with the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Known issues with the 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER include: Seatbelt Locking Mechanism Failure, Service Brake Vibration, Around View Monitor Failure, Steering Wheel Control Button Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 89 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any known issues with the seatbelt locking mechanisms?
Yes, two seatbelt locking mechanisms have failed to lock the seatbelt buckles in place, and the third mechanism failed to release the buckle.
What about service brake vibrations?
There is a noticeable vibration when stepping on the brakes, indicating potential issues with brake rotors.
Is the Around View Monitor prone to failure?
Yes, the Around View Monitor/camera system has failed completely, and the forward warning system dashboard light does not shut off despite a $2500 module replacement.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential seatbelt locking mechanism failures and service brake vibrations. Ensure the Around View Monitor and steering wheel control buttons function properly before purchasing.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Nissan Pathfinder
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The data includes 89 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 Nissan Pathfinder an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16