There are 11 owner-reported suspension complaints for the 2014 Nissan Pathfinderin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Rear subframe failure due to rust.
The car started making a very annoying squeak from the left rear when going over bumps or entering and exiting the car. I took it to my local mechanic to investigate the problem. He discovered the rear suspension sub-frame was rusted out where it attaches to the car body. I was advised that the car was unsafe and should not be driven. I am awaiting more information from my mechanic about the repairs. There were no accidents or injuries caused by this but there could have been if I continued to drive the car. I will retain the rusted sub-frame once the repairs are made. I read three other similar complaints ( all 2014 Pathfinders ) on this web site. I think Nissan should be made aware of this situation.
Heard loud clunk from passenger rear of vehicle, then started hearing binding clunk noise from rear when going over bumps or turning at certain points. Inspection of rear suspension area on rear passenger side revealed a sub-frame that had rusted to the point a suspension part had broken from the frame and was sitting in a hole in the sub frame instead. Surrounding areas of undercarriage not rusted like the sub frame was.... The frame of a vehicle rusting to point of breakage at only 11 years old is a safety hazard suspension wise.....Suspension parts bolted to the sub-frame at multiple points.
Rear subframe rusted through and car was a safety hazard to drive. Entire rear subframe needed to be replaced. Remainder of car only contained surface rust.
in late June 2025, I heard a loud noise in the rear of the Pathfinder, that would happen during normal driving and worsen if I went over a speed bump for example. I took it to a local mechanic . He informed me that the rear subframe was rotted. It was undriveable once I knew how dangerous this situation was. I have a [XXX] child. I am his legal guardian and he lives with me. We spend a lot of time going for rides and doing things he likes. I was shocked when I heard what was wrong. Thank God we did not get injured or worse. Now, this frame needs to be replaced and I can imagine the cost to me.I am a retired RN. I have seen a good amount of complaints on line in Google from other Pathfinder owners regarding the exact same issue, Why wasn't there a recall? Will Nissan reimburse me once I get an estimate and the car fixed?This is not fair. I do not tow a boat, the car has not been submerged in water...I Imagine the frame was not prepped properly by Nissan. I know Nissan recalled some vehicles a few years back for the rotted sub frame issue. Now I have to pay for a repair..I need assistance please. I am using someone's car in the meantime. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPA NISSAN (510 SOSCOL AVE, NAPA, CA 94559, (707) 253-1551) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRONT AXLE WAS AIR CHISELED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS SUV HAD TO HAVE REAR SHOCK/STRUT REPLACED. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL HAS BEEN REPLACED. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMES ON WHEN PERSON IS SITTING THERE. CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE SUV HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS FOR EACH ISSUE THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 6 PLUS TIMES AND I JUST PICKED UP THE 2014 PATHFINDER 8-16-2016 AND WAS TOLD AND HAVE IT ON MY INVOICE THAT THE SERVICE TECH DROVE THE SUV AND FEELS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OR SKIPPING BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO NISSAN POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT SHOWING A CODE. SO I HAVE A 2014 PATHFINDER THAT IS A COMPLETE SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. THE SUV WILL CUT OUT, SLIP, SHUTTER, LOSE POWER AND HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING AND ACCIDENT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHICH IS TERRIBLE FOR WHO EVER WAS TO HIT ME AND ALSO COULD BE FATAL IF I WAS TO BE HIT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY COULD REALLY HURT/KILL THE PASSENGER. EVERY EXCUSE I GET FROM NISSAN IS THEY REPROGRAMMED THE CAR AND THIS NEVER FIXED ANYTHING. THE CAR WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES BACK BEFORE IT MADE IT TO 30,000 MILES AND NOW AT 55,000 MILES THE SUV IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX. NISSAN INSTEAD PUTS THIS SUV BACK ON THE ROAD KNOWING IT IS HAVING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ACCELERATION AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR-BAG AND PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK. I AM REQUESTING NISSAN TO DO A BUY BACK OF THIS SUV. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT WITH ANOTHER FAULTY TRANSMISSION OR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IN FEDERAL COURT IN FLORIDA WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. SO OBLIVIOUSLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DECELERATE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. ALSO, THE REAR TIRES WERE PREMATURELY WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENT, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE IN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
REAR AXLES IN NEW 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 5000 MILES HAS SEVERELY RUSTED REAR AXLES. SEEMS AXLES WERE MADE WITH CHEAP MATERIALS THAT ARE BECOMING HEAVILY RUSTED. FRONT AXLES HAVE NO PROBLEMS. *TR
2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER ALL FOUR WHEEL HUBS BEGAN RUSTING SOON AFTER PURCHASE. CAR IS NOW 6 MONTHS OLD WITH HUBS COMPLETELY RUSTED...THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE TWO NISSAN PATHFINDERS, ONE 2012 AND ONE 2014..BOTH MAINTAINED TO SAME STANDARDS. I HAVE NO RUST ON MY 2012 BUT 2014 IS LOOKING TERRIBLE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026