2018 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · AZ

The vehicle veers towards the right, even though a wheel alignment was completed on 7/1/26. On 7/28/26 when driving the vehicle, it wouldn’t accelerate properly, it felt sluggish and although the gas pedal was depressed it was struggling to pick up speed. As the vehicle was attempting to shift between 2nd and 3rd gears the car jolted forward and the traction control and collision lights came on. Both lights reset when the car is off but the vehicle jolts and beeps w/in 5 mins of driving and then the lights come back. This has been happening everyday multiple times a day since 7/28/26. On 7/30/26, the Check Engine light came on and has stayed illuminated w/ code P0101 populating on the obdii reader. The vehicle is currently at the dealership, I am awaiting a diagnosis of the issue which they said may take 3-4 days. I have only had this vehicle for 46 days.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Engine · 93,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle hesitated while starting the vehicle and pressing the Push to Start button. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that there was sludge in the engine oil. The mechanic stated that sludge was found in the oil due to a lack of regular oil changes. The contact disputed the claim and provided receipts that all oil changes were up to date. The contact had the engine taken apart by the dealer and an independent mechanic, and both discovered metal shavings inside the engine, which had resulted in the engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2025 · Engine · AL

My 2018 Nissan Pathfinder started knocking at 75000 miles and it’s getting worse by the day I’ve paid my car payment down to 4000$ and now I’m told my motor is soon to go out.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA

My 2018 Nissan Pathfinder SL has had to have the engine replaced once due to the CVP issues with the transmission causes in the engine to fail. It was replaced not even two years ago and now the issue has presented itself yet again and the engine has failed once again. I believe that this vehicle should be issued for recall because this is an issue that has happened twice engine has failed twice car will not run. Will not turn over vehicle is at a standstill. I want somebody to contact me regarding this because this is not acceptable.

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · Engine · NJ

On May 7th at 1:22 PM, the engine in my 2018 Nissan Pathfinder catastrophically failed for the second time while my family was driving. The engine completely lost power in the middle of a very busy highway intersection, going over an overpass, where there was no shoulder. I had no ability to pull off the road. My wife had to push the disabled vehicle off the highway to avoid causing a major accident. This was an incredibly dangerous situation where my entire family’s life was at risk. My wife could have been struck by oncoming traffic while we were pushing the vehicle to safety. There was no protection or space to safely move out of traffic. This is the second catastrophic engine failure on this vehicle. The first engine failed just over two years prior and was replaced by the dealership. Despite the replacement, the second engine also failed, repeating the same critical failure that Nissan Pathfinders from this model year are widely known to experience. There were no prior warning lamps or engine codes during this incident. The engine immediately lost power and locked up while in motion. This vehicle was properly maintained, and all scheduled services were performed by licensed service providers. Additional Supporting Evidence: •Incident Date: May 7th at 1:22 PM •Photos of the disabled vehicle on the side of the highway provided. •Screenshot of text message conversation at the time of the incident (attached). •This failure is consistent with multiple the federal safety agency complaints, owner reports, class-action lawsuits, and technical service bulletins regarding systemic engine failures in the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder.

Filed Feb 7, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MI

The disabled vehicle when delivered by flatbed car hauler unit to the nearest dealership, Petro Nissan, 47 miles from the breakdown site would not move at highway speed but only jerked/bucked and crept along at little more than a fast walk. This condition was last experienced when the vehicle had been on a remote undulating interstate for about 2 hours. The check engine light had reappeared after being recently reset and the engine revving and loss of ground speed started causally then increased in frequency and intensity until totally failing to the point of forcing me to creep with emergency flashers in mode on the shoulder to reach an exit two miles ahead. The high RPM revving coupled with the ground speed loss condition initial stages occurred each of the two prior days. Two Nissan NA dealerships in those two days had performed diagnostics and service. On each prior day the check engine light, the high revving engine RPM, and the ground speed loss occurred. On each day a potentially serious safety issue arose. Initially an attempt to match speed and merge with traffic at an onramp and again when (using cruise control) during which the vehicle system attempted an automatic acceleration to maintain speed on rolling hills. Both conditions forced me to the shoulder to avoid a potential accident from immediate and drastic ground speed loss and engine revving at or above 4500 RPM After each of these incidents a Nissan NA dealership was consulted and services were performed. In each case I postulated to the service advisors that the transmission sounded/felt like it was slipping on acceleration when the vehicle/ transmission had heated up from extended driving. Both days service advisors checked for diagnostic codes of transmission issues but never mentioned emission issues aside from mass air flow sensor or ABS sensors apparently either not seeing or not looking beyond transmission related codes. The first dealer, Illini Nissan, ran diagnostics on 1/6/25,

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Engine, Steering · GA

The engine began to fail because of a lack of adequate breathability into the crankcase, causing high crankcase pressure, excessive oil blowby, severe exhaust smoke, severe engine sludge, severe engine shuddering, and lack of response to the power steering because of engine power loss. The failure of the PCV system was at fault. Produced codes P0300, P0306, and P0430. Engine sludge needed to be cleaned, PCV hoses and PCV needed to be replaced, spark plugs needed to be replaced because of blowby, and valve covers also needed to be replaced because of sludge clogging the PCV baffles within the valve covers.

Filed Mar 27, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · LA

While driving the car it randomly turns off and turns back on it also jerks initially. All lights on the dashboard turn off and back on, speakers make a loud BOOM sound! Have experienced the car not starting. Bought a new battery thinking that was the issue, it wasn't.

Filed Mar 26, 2023 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Jul 5, 2022 · Engine · AR

Hood shakes everywhere... even if it's locked down...I'm afraid to drive it..I took it back twice .they replace the mounds ..still no good..bounces everywhere..this vechicle is dangerous and unsafe Also I purchased it in 2021 august. The transmission is going out, snatches, and drive rough with only 57,000 miles on it. I need help getting this vehicle fixed. Thank u. Trans oil changed 1 week ago by Nissan dealership..still snatches