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2018 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems

7 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

7
Complaints
Feb 2018Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (7)

criticalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2025

Your 2018 Pathfinder hesitates when you press the accelerator pedal at various speeds and when starting the engine with the push button. You'll also hear abnormal knocking from the engine, and the check engine light comes on. A dealer initially blamed sludge buildup, but when the engine was inspected by both the dealer and an independent mechanic, they found metal shavings inside the engine, indicating internal engine damage.

NHTSA #: 11702980
criticalENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

Your engine suddenly lost all power and shut down completely while you were driving on a busy highway overpass, with no warning lights or error codes beforehand. This is the second time the engine has catastrophically failed in this vehicle—the first failure occurred two years earlier and was replaced by the dealership. The loss of power created an extremely dangerous situation where you had to push the disabled vehicle off the highway to avoid an accident.

NHTSA #: 11670907
highENGINE
Filed: Aug 2025

Your engine has started making a knocking noise at 75,000 miles, and the problem is getting worse. You've been told the engine may fail soon. The issue will likely require engine inspection and possibly major engine repair or replacement.

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NHTSA #: 11684185
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2023

I bought a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder august of 2022 from miller and miller Chevrolet in Marianna FL. I noticed the very next day after purchasing the vehicle that there was smoke coming from the tailpipe. This occurred everytime I cracked it. I took videos and pictures and sent it to my sales rep. I took it to them three times trying to get them to figure out the issue and fix it but they were unable to detect any issues. January of 2023 my Engine completely failed I had to have it towed to the dealership. They said that some rode camshaft broke. The mechanic told me that the engine was full of metal shavings. So they replaced the entire with a used low mileage engine that failed the day I picked it up 3/20/23 . I'm told that a used engine is what they are putting in it again that they (the warranty company Zurich) will not put a new one in it. I am a bartender and got to talking about this with a regular and it so happens that his wife has the same 2018 Nissan Pathfinder and he said the had the exact same problem. Their engine failed at 57,000 miles. He had to pay $15000 to put a new engine in it. I really feel like this is a manufacturing defect and should be recalled and made right. Thank you. I bought a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder august of 2022 from miller and miller Chevrolet in Marianna FL. I noticed the very next day after purchasing the vehicle that there was smoke coming from the tailpipe. This occurred everytime I cracked it. I took videos and pictures and sent it to my sales rep. I took it to them three times trying to get them to figure out the issue and fix it but they were unable to detect any issues. January of 2023 my Engine completely failed I had to have it towed to the dealership. They said that some rode camshaft broke. The mechanic told me that the engine was full of metal shavings. So they replaced the entire with a used low mileage engine that failed the day I picked it up 3/20/23 . I'm told that a used engine is what they are putting in it again.

NHTSA #: 11513883
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2020

LEFT SIDE RADIATOR COOLING FAN ON MY 2018 PATHFINDER IS FAILING AFTER ONLY 26,000 MILES. OBVIOUSLY A BIG PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA #: 11319820
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A RATTLING, METAL TO METAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIA NISSAN OF GLENS FALLS (518-636-1098, LOCATED AT 373 DIX AVENUE, QUEENSBURY, NY 12804) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED DURING A TEST DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

NHTSA #: 11241265
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2018

MY HUSBAND ROGER AND I PURCHASED A 2018 NISSAN PATHFINDER LESS THAN A WEEK AGO AT GRANITE NISSAN IN RAPID CITY, SD. WE DROVE TO DICKINSON, ND TO DROP OFF MY STEPSON TO SEE HIS MOTHER AS REQUIRED BY COURT ORDER EVERY MONTH. THE TRIP THERE HAS NO CELLULAR SERVICE AND TEMPERATURES THAT REACH SUBZERO. UPON ARRIVING IN DICKINSON, WE HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE RPMS BECAME ERRATIC. WE ALSO NOTICED DECREASED FUEL EFFICIENCY. THE LIGHT CAME ON WITH LESS THAN 400 TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE CONSULTED THE USER MANUAL WHICH ADVISED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINING ON. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION OF READY FOR PICK UP, THERE WAS NO RESOLVE. THE SERVICEMAN CLAIMED THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE 'CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NISSAN'. HE SAID THEY CLEARED THE ERROR AND THAT WE WILL NOTICE LESS EFFICIENCY WITH GAS MILEAGE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T BREAKDOWN BUT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT MAY HAPPEN. WE PURCHASED THIS BRAND NEW VEHICLE TO BETTER ENSURE A SAFE MEANS TO DRIVE IN DESOLATE AREAS AND IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS WHILE MONTHLY TRANPORTING OUR SON FOR VISITATION. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS DISMISSIVE/BELITTLED OUR CONCERNS WHEN ASKING ABOUT SAFETY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THAT WE HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD AND SIX YEAR OLD WHO RIDE DAILY IN THE CAR IN ADDITION TO OUR 14 YEAR OLD WHO TAKES THE MONTHLY TRIPS TO ND. WE ARE WAITING FOR NISSAN TO REPLY WITH WHEN AND HOW THE ERROR CODE P34A9, INTAKE TIMING CONTROL WILL BE FIXED AND IF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OR OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THIS ERROR OCCURS. IF WE ARE STRANDED IN DESOLATE ND IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES, OUR LIVES WILL BE AT RISK AS EVEN IF THE 'SOS' FEATURE WERE TO BE PRESSED, THE NEAREST EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ARE HOURS AWAY. WE'VE INQUIRED WITH NISSAN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS 2018 PATHFINDER.

NHTSA #: 11075120

Other 2018 Nissan Pathfinder Issues