I own a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder with approximately 12,800 miles. During inspection on 10/26/2026 at Nissan Riverside, the dealer found the rear brake pads had gone metal to metal — no brake pad material left — which caused damage to the rear rotors, requiring replacement of both pads and rotors. No dashboard warning light came but a grinding noise. The front brakes were still in good condition. The vehicle has not been used for towing or aggressive driving. Rear pads wearing completely through at 12,800 miles, while the front brakes remain serviceable, is not normal wear and indicates a defect in the rear brake system. This condition reduces braking effectiveness and increases stopping distance, a safety concern. I request the federal safety agency investigate premature rear brake wear on the 2025 Nissan Pathfinders.
Nissan Pathfinder premature wear problems
24 of the 7,336 owner complaints about the Nissan Pathfinder describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 2023 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 2023
- typical mileage
- 33,392
By model year
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 3Ball joint 2Water leak 1Shudder 1Screen failure 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
2023 Nissan Pathfinder. Rear brake pads are wearing at a premature and excessive rate: replaced by the dealer approximately April 2026; on October 19, 2026, at approximately 30,172 miles, they measured 6 mm remaining while the front pads measured 8 mm. Rear pads wearing faster than front pads is atypical. Earlier dealer measurements were inconsistent (reported as 2 mm, then 6 mm, then 2 mm on different visits). The dealer could not explain whether this wear rate is normal or identify a mechanical cause. This matches a documented pattern of premature rear brake wear on 2022–2023 Pathfinders (multiple the federal safety agency complaints; proposed class action Iwan v. Nissan North America, No. 3:25-cv-01183, M.D. Tenn.). Concern: accelerated, unexplained rear brake degradation reduces stopping ability and may leave drivers unaware of how little pad remains.
I am reporting premature and potentially abnormal rear brake wear on my 2024 Nissan Pathfinder with approximately 19,600 miles. During an inspection, the Nissan dealership (Nissan City of Red Bank) measured the rear brake pads at only 1 mm, while the front brake pads measured 6 mm. The dealership recommended replacing the rear brake pads and rotors. The extreme difference in wear between the front and rear brakes at such low mileage raises serious concerns about excessive or abnormal rear brake wear. With only 1 mm of friction material remaining, the rear pads are nearly worn out, creating a potential safety concern and requiring premature replacement of the pads and rotors. The dealership indicated that premature rear brake wear is a known problem with Nissan Pathfinders. Reports from other owners of 2024 Nissan Pathfinders describe similar rear brake wear at approximately 16,000 to 20,000 miles, including cases in which the rear pads were nearly worn out while the front pads retained substantially more material. These similar reports raise concerns that this may be a recurring problem rather than an isolated incident. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder has a defect or mechanical issue causing excessive premature rear brake wear. the federal safety agency should determine whether this condition affects other vehicles, whether the manufacturer is aware of the problem, and whether corrective action is necessary to protect vehicle occupants and the public. Brake components are critical to vehicle safety, and premature wear of this severity warrants investigation.
At 15,000 miles both rear brakes and rotors worn down at 90% which is abnormal for any vehicle. Some sort of defect.
Premature wear on my rear brakes. Front brakes when checked were at a level 7 out of 10 while the rear brakes at 24,000 miles were down to a 1 per one company and a 3 per Alpine Nissan. I was told it is recommended I do not drive the vehicle without getting the brakes replaced and the problem was due to my driving and all brakes wear different. If that were the case my front brakes would have gone first or been close to the same measurement. It was deemed unsafe to drive after 24,000 miles. I have 2 small children and at this point do not feel like this is a safe vehicle for me and my family to continue driving nor do I feel I need to take on the financial responsibility of replacing my rear brakes every 1-2 years due to a vehicle malfunction. If I had to slam on my brakes at any point my vehicle would skid which made me realize the significance of this issue and safety driving on the road. The only warning sign I had was a squeaking sound for about a week and I took it in immediately and found my break pads were down to a 1 measurement.
I lease a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum with approximately 19,000 miles. During a recent inspection at a Nissan dealership, I was informed that the rear brake pads were worn down to approximately 1.5 mm and required immediate replacement. At the same inspection, the front brake pads still measured approximately 6.5 mm. The vehicle has been driven under normal conditions and has not been used for towing or other unusually demanding braking conditions. I am concerned about the extremely premature and disproportionate wear of the rear brakes. At approximately 19,000 miles, the rear pads are nearly completely worn while the front pads still have substantial material remaining. The Nissan dealer recommended replacement of the rear brake pads and rotors but did not cover the repair under warranty or provide goodwill assistance because brake pads are considered wear items. I believe the unusually rapid rear brake wear may indicate an issue with the rear braking system rather than normal brake-pad wear. Premature rear brake wear could create a safety concern if owners are unaware that their rear pads are becoming severely worn at relatively low mileage. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency can document the issue and determine whether similar premature rear brake wear is occurring in other 2024 Nissan Pathfinders.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety concern involving my 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, which has approximately 19,000 miles on the vehicle. The rear brake pads were found to be excessively worn and required replacement at only 19,000 miles. I consider this premature brake-pad wear to be a significant safety concern given the relatively low mileage and age of the vehicle. The braking system is a critical safety component, and I would not expect the rear brake pads on a relatively new 2024 vehicle with only 19,000 miles to require replacement due to excessive wear. Premature or abnormal brake-pad wear could potentially reduce braking performance, increase stopping distances, cause uneven braking, damage other brake components, or create an unsafe condition if the driver is unaware of the extent of the wear. I am concerned that this may not be an isolated maintenance issue but could potentially indicate a defect or problem with the vehicle's braking system, including the rear brake components, brake calipers, electronic parking brake system, or another component that may be causing abnormal or accelerated brake-pad wear. I am requesting that this complaint be documented and investigated to determine whether other 2024 Nissan Pathfinder owners have experienced similar premature rear brake-pad wear and whether there is a defect or safety-related issue affecting the rear braking system. Vehicle: 2024 Nissan Pathfinder Mileage: Approximately 19,000 miles Safety Component: Rear braking system/rear brake pads Issue: Premature/excessive rear brake-pad wear requiring replacement at approximately 19,000 miles. I believe this issue warrants investigation because brake-system reliability is directly related to vehicle safety, and premature wear at such low mileage is concerning for a relatively new vehicle.
Premature wear on rear brakes
The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a routine oil change, the contact was informed that the driver’s and passenger’s side rear brake pads and rotors were severely worn and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that due to the low mileage, the brake pads and rotor should not need to be replaced. The contact stated that there were no issues with the brakes prior to the visit. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there was a class action lawsuit pending against Nissan for the 2022 and 2023 Nissan Pathfinders due to premature brake pad wear. The class action suit stated that numerous owners of similar vehicles had complained that the brake pads were prematurely worn between 20,000 - 30,000 miles, as opposed to the average 50,000-60,000 mile range. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the failure was caused by normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Premature wear (29k miles) of rear brake pads. I have a report from NTB aka Mavis Took it in today and found 1mm left on back brakes, front standard wear. No alerts or singals were seen in the car
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Risk
- A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800‑647‑7261 or INFINITI's customer service at 1‑800‑662‑6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD137 and PD138.
Recall number 25V173000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V‑601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Recall number 19V807000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.
Recall number 18V601000 · Recall details
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to November 5, 2014, and 2014-2015 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured August 12, 2014, to November 15, 2014. During the assembly process, the front wheel hub assembly fasteners may not have been properly torqued.
- Risk
- The under-torqued fasteners may result in a brake caliper separating from the wheel assembly causing a reduction in braking performance or reduced steering control. These conditions increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and tighten any loose bolts to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 15V012000 · Recall details
Service brakes
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX vehicles manufactured December 3, 2012, through January 29, 2013. The front brake torque member was improperly cast resulting in structural weakness. This can lead to premature failure and cracking.
- Risk
- If the brake torque member fails, the brake caliper may move and contact the inside of the road wheel, resulting in reduced braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the manufacturing date of the torque members and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 13V139000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Due to the thickness of the carpet padding on the transmission tunnel, the space between the brake pedal and the transmission tunnel could catch a driver's right foot under the brake pedal.
- Risk
- This condition could inhibit a driver from applying the brakes, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the carpet padding on the transmission tunnel adjacent to the accelerator pedal.
Recall number 96V031000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Pathfinder premature wear
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2023 (6 complaints), 2024 (6 complaints) and 1996 (3 complaints).
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