2018 Nissan Pathfinder
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder.
Recalls on the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder
Service brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Nissan North America, Inc.
Service brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Nissan North America, Inc.
Back over prevention: camera
Nissan North America, Inc.
Source: NHTSA
What 78 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2018 Nissan Pathfinder at a glance
- Trims
- PlatinumSSLSV
- Engine
- 3.5L 6-Cylinder
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- FWD, 4WD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the R52
The 2013-2020 Nissan Pathfinder is the R52 generation and represents the largest change in the model's character, moving from a body-on-frame SUV to a unibody three-row crossover aimed squarely at family buyers. It is powered by the 3.5-liter VQ35DE V6 driving through an Xtronic continuously variable transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. Seating is for seven, with a second-row seat that slides and tilts for third-row access even with a child seat installed. A hybrid variant was offered briefly early in the run.
The change delivered a much quieter, smoother, and more efficient vehicle with substantially better interior packaging, at the cost of the towing and off-road capability the R51 had provided. A facelift for 2017 revised the styling and increased engine output. The R53 generation that followed in 2022 replaced the continuously variable transmission with a conventional nine-speed automatic.
For used buyers, the continuously variable transmission is the central consideration on this generation. Nissan's Xtronic units of this period have a mixed durability record, and the company extended warranty coverage on some applications. Verifying transmission service history and driving the vehicle at length under load are the highest-value checks. The VQ35DE engine is well proven. The interior packaging and second-row access remain genuinely strong points for families.
Other Nissan Pathfinder years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners have filed 78 complaints about the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. There are 3 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 3 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2018 Nissan Pathfinder listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.