Search the forum and there are numerous posts like yours.

 

Just trying to get more visibility to the issue. More posts + More Visibility = MAYBE Nissan does something about it. Thanks!

 

Hi everyone - I was hoping to get others experience here and see if there is anything I can do to resolve this situation. Below is a summary. Thanks in advance!



I own a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. In June 2023, I paid over $6,000 to replace the engine at a certified dealership. I was told it was a new engine. Just 14 months and 21,000 miles later, the engine failed again.

I provided complete service records showing regular oil changes and maintenance. Despite this, the dealership claimed the failure was due to engine sludge and denied all responsibility. Nissan Corporate is engaged but the experience has been less than stellar. It’s been a few months of back and forth with no real movement.

After doing more research, I’ve found dozens of other Pathfinder owners reporting the same issue;

- sudden engine failure, sludge claims
-
warranty denials, and massive out-of-pocket costs.

Some examples:

• Nissan Forums – Engine Sludge Complaint

• Carkiller Forum – Dealer Refuses to Repair 2022 Pathfinder with 42K Miles

• Top Class Actions – Nissan Engine Defect Lawsuit


It’s clear this is not just me. This is becoming a known issue affecting Nissan Pathfinders (and other models) across multiple years.


Steps I’ve Taken So Far:

• Filed a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

• Reported the issue to NHTSA under Engine failure - https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=11670907 (my submission)

• Submitted documentation to Nissan Corporate and conversation is ongoing. It’s been a less than stellar experience thus far.


Looking for Help:

• Has anyone here experienced this same sludge diagnosis or engine failure?

• Were you able to get Nissan to cover it?

• Any recommendations on next steps or legal action?


This feels like a recurring defect that Nissan is actively avoiding responsibility for.

If this has happened to you, I encourage you to file complaints as well and help bring more visibility to this issue.


Thanks in advance for any insight or advice.

What kind of oil was it using? Engine sludge in 21k miles causing engine failure is bizarre. That thing must have been a lemon.

 

It was the second engine. Sure, oil is important, but come on. 2 engines in a couple years and 1 engine 1 year and 12 months in? Clearly there is an issue with the Pathfinders. Many owners being blamed for “sludge”. Nonsense - It’s Nissan not standing behind their products.

 

Selling a known faulty product.

 

Totally false millions of them on the road. Neglect has ruined more Nissan V6's and CVT's then design , abuse comes in a close 2nd.

 

Was it a NEW engine or some refurbished engine?

 

Brand new!

 

It's deff mixed reviews on these engines. On forums like these you see more bad than good. Most come here to rant. Just like the CVTs, I see horror stories on them. I drive the heck outta mine. 123,000 miles on it hasn't messed up yet.

 

How many miles between oil changes OP? I'm trying to figure out how to make mine last.

Are you 100% sure it was a new long block and not a short block, reman or used. Dealership that changed could've said "new" meaning they put a different engine in but the one they changed it with came from a used vehicle.

 

I wouldn’t put it past them. They tried to not even cover this repair until I provided all of the records - Oil changes done on time. Always.

 

Total cost was closer to 11k dealership covered half(ish).

thats what they told me anyways.

 

 

I don't mean to derail this thread to an oil discussion because those typically go nowhere.

So if OP drives about 1,500mi / mo based on posts, it would be good to know what the oci was. I'm assuming he's doing highway driving so what does "regular changes" mean in that context? If he's getting these done at the dealer or another shop, we probably won't find out what oil (type and brand), viscosity... etc. was being used. And unless someone siphons some of the oil out, they're not getting an oil analysis done.

 

Yea either way a new engine should last well beyond what it failed at regardless of oil change Times. That's why I asked if it was a used engine.

 

Hi everyone - I was hoping to get others experience here and see if there is anything I can do to resolve this situation. Below is a summary. Thanks in advance!



I own a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. In June 2023, I paid over $6,000 to replace the engine at a certified dealership. I was told it was a new engine. Just 14 months and 21,000 miles later, the engine failed again.

I provided complete service records showing regular oil changes and maintenance. Despite this, the dealership claimed the failure was due to engine sludge and denied all responsibility. Nissan Corporate is engaged but the experience has been less than stellar. It’s been a few months of back and forth with no real movement.

After doing more research, I’ve found dozens of other Pathfinder owners reporting the same issue;

- sudden engine failure, sludge claims
-
warranty denials, and massive out-of-pocket costs.

Some examples:

• Nissan Forums – Engine Sludge Complaint

• Carkiller Forum – Dealer Refuses to Repair 2022 Pathfinder with 42K Miles

• Top Class Actions – Nissan Engine Defect Lawsuit


It’s clear this is not just me. This is becoming a known issue affecting Nissan Pathfinders (and other models) across multiple years.


Steps I’ve Taken So Far:

• Filed a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

• Reported the issue to NHTSA under Engine failure - https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=11670907 (my submission)

• Submitted documentation to Nissan Corporate and conversation is ongoing. It’s been a less than stellar experience thus far.


Looking for Help:

• Has anyone here experienced this same sludge diagnosis or engine failure?

• Were you able to get Nissan to cover it?

• Any recommendations on next steps or legal action?


This feels like a recurring defect that Nissan is actively avoiding responsibility for.

If this has happened to you, I encourage you to file complaints as well and help bring more visibility to this issue.


Thanks in advance for any insight or advice.

I just want to know how you got an engine replaced for $6k....

 

Hi everyone - I was hoping to get others experience here and see if there is anything I can do to resolve this situation. Below is a summary. Thanks in advance!



I own a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. In June 2023, I paid over $6,000 to replace the engine at a certified dealership. I was told it was a new engine. Just 14 months and 21,000 miles later, the engine failed again.

I provided complete service records showing regular oil changes and maintenance. Despite this, the dealership claimed the failure was due to engine sludge and denied all responsibility. Nissan Corporate is engaged but the experience has been less than stellar. It’s been a few months of back and forth with no real movement.

After doing more research, I’ve found dozens of other Pathfinder owners reporting the same issue;
What is regular oil changes, and who did it a quicky lube sounds like something is askew here.
- sudden engine failure, sludge claims
-
warranty denials, and massive out-of-pocket costs.

Some examples:

• Nissan Forums – Engine Sludge Complaint

• Carkiller Forum – Dealer Refuses to Repair 2022 Pathfinder with 42K Miles

• Top Class Actions – Nissan Engine Defect Lawsuit


It’s clear this is not just me. This is becoming a known issue affecting Nissan Pathfinders (and other models) across multiple years.


Steps I’ve Taken So Far:

• Filed a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

• Reported the issue to NHTSA under Engine failure - https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=11670907 (my submission)

• Submitted documentation to Nissan Corporate and conversation is ongoing. It’s been a less than stellar experience thus far.


Looking for Help:

• Has anyone here experienced this same sludge diagnosis or engine failure?

• Were you able to get Nissan to cover it?

• Any recommendations on next steps or legal action?

What's is "on time" though? For mine, it's 10k mi or 12m. If yours sludged up with lower interval, I want to make sure I do mine earlier. Just trying to know the interval for yours.

ourage you to file complaints as well and help bring more visibility to this issue.


Thanks in advance for any insight or advice.

What happened to your first engine, was it neglected. You already ruined a 2018 then another engine and ruined it . run I have my oil changed at 4000 miles and run premium fuel to avoid carbon buildup.

 

OP is not disclosing his maintenance records to us

 

I know and many many people think 0/20 oil is too thin and put heavier oil in the engines destroying them in short order.

 

@cottontoptexan don't jump to conclusions and assume the OP abused his vehicle. I've seen way too many cases of failed engines and transmissions in this forum.
And I do agree with the OP, call it faulty, call it not reliable enough, call it however you want, there are too many documented issues with the CVT's and the 2017+ engines. No vehicle is perfect and many brands have issues with one component or another, the issue is that in this case these parts costs thousands to replace.

@2020Fathpinder OP already stated that oil changes were done on time.

I doubt the second engine failed due to sludge, if the engine was new, there was simple not enough time/miles to build enough to cause a lubrication failure.

 

@2020Fathpinder OP already stated that oil changes were done on time.

Okay, how many miles were the OCIs?

 

Thanks @jman - Appreciate it! As I mentioned before, I take great care of my vehicles and always get regular oil changes.

Why would I need to post my maintenance records here? How’s that help me? I provided them to Nissan, twice! Two failed engines and it’s a “me” issue. That’s comical. The second engine failed at barely 21k miles.

I’ll never buy another Nissan and anyone reading this shouldn’t either! I just want to raise awareness.

BBB Response - Check the forums yourself and see all the documented issues with this vehicle and Nissan dealerships simply blaming the customer for sludge. It’s nonsense. Don’t take my word for it. Simple search will prove it!

1. Proof of Maintenance Was Provided — and Wrongfully IgnoredI previously provided proof of regular oil changes and even offered to provide it again for this second engine failure. The service manager declined to review this documentation, stating it was “unnecessary” because I had already filed a BBB complaint. This is fraudulent behavior and a direct violation of fair consumer practice — they knowingly ignored evidence that disproves their claim of “negligence.”
2. Known History of Engine Sludge and Defects in Nissan VehiclesNissan has a documented history of engine sludge, bearing, and oil flow issues that lead to catastrophic engine failures — often despite regular maintenance: • Consumer Reports lists Nissan engine sludge and premature failures among common issues: Consumer Reports – Nissan Problems • Multiple NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Pathfinder cite sudden engine failure, oil sludge, and repeated breakdowns: NHTSA Complaint Database – 2018 Pathfinder • Owners on PathfinderTalk have documented sludged engines in 2017–2021 Pathfinders despite proper maintenance, showing this is a design/engineering flaw, not owner neglect: PathfinderTalk Sludged Engine Thread • Nissan has faced lawsuits and settlements for other engine-related defects, including oil contamination and bearing failures, further establishing a pattern: ClassAction.org – Nissan Engine Problems
3. Two Engine Failures in Four Years Is Not “Negligence” — It’s Defective EngineeringThis vehicle has now suffered two separate engine failures within 4 years — the first occurring so early that Nissan corporate agreed to cover a portion of the replacement cost (acknowledging a defect), and the second occurring only 21,000 miles later.Engines do not fail twice in this timeframe without a systemic defect. This is compounded by the fact that other owners of similar Nissan models have experienced identical issues.
4. Partial Coverage Does Not Equal Full RemedyContrary to the service manager’s statement, Nissan did not fully cover the first engine replacement. They covered a small percentage, leaving me with a substantial out-of-pocket cost for a vehicle that was less than halfway through a reasonable service life.
5. Selling Cars With Known DefectsGiven the publicly available evidence of widespread sludge and premature engine failures in Nissan Pathfinders, continuing to sell these vehicles without disclosure is deceptive and fraudulent. Nissan and its dealers are fully aware of these issues yet shift blame to consumers to avoid honoring warranty and defect coverage.
⸻
ConclusionThe narrative that my “lack of maintenance” caused these failures is false and disproven by my maintenance records. The refusal to review these records, combined with the known history of engine issues in Nissan vehicles, shows a deliberate attempt to mislead and deny rightful coverage. This is a clear case of selling defective products, avoiding responsibility, and engaging in bad faith warranty practices.
I am requesting that Nissan fully reimburse the cost of the second engine replacement or replace the vehicle entirely, given the repeated catastrophic failures.

 

Thanks @jman - Appreciate it! As I mentioned before, I take great care of my vehicles and always get regular oil changes.

Why would I need to post my maintenance records here? How’s that help me? I provided them to Nissan, twice! Two failed engines and it’s a “me” issue. That’s comical. The second engine failed at barely 21k miles.

I’ll never buy another Nissan and anyone reading this shouldn’t either! I just want to raise awareness.

BBB Response - Check the forums yourself and see all the documented issues with this vehicle and Nissan dealerships simply blaming the customer for sludge. It’s nonsense. Don’t take my word for it. Simple search will prove it!

1. Proof of Maintenance Was Provided — and Wrongfully IgnoredI previously provided proof of regular oil changes and even offered to provide it again for this second engine failure. The service manager declined to review this documentation, stating it was “unnecessary” because I had already filed a BBB complaint. This is fraudulent behavior and a direct violation of fair consumer practice — they knowingly ignored evidence that disproves their claim of “negligence.”
2. Known History of Engine Sludge and Defects in Nissan VehiclesNissan has a documented history of engine sludge, bearing, and oil flow issues that lead to catastrophic engine failures — often despite regular maintenance: • Consumer Reports lists Nissan engine sludge and premature failures among common issues: Consumer Reports – Nissan Problems • Multiple NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Pathfinder cite sudden engine failure, oil sludge, and repeated breakdowns: NHTSA Complaint Database – 2018 Pathfinder • Owners on PathfinderTalk have documented sludged engines in 2017–2021 Pathfinders despite proper maintenance, showing this is a design/engineering flaw, not owner neglect: PathfinderTalk Sludged Engine Thread • Nissan has faced lawsuits and settlements for other engine-related defects, including oil contamination and bearing failures, further establishing a pattern: ClassAction.org – Nissan Engine Problems
3. Two Engine Failures in Four Years Is Not “Negligence” — It’s Defective EngineeringThis vehicle has now suffered two separate engine failures within 4 years — the first occurring so early that Nissan corporate agreed to cover a portion of the replacement cost (acknowledging a defect), and the second occurring only 21,000 miles later.Engines do not fail twice in this timeframe without a systemic defect. This is compounded by the fact that other owners of similar Nissan models have experienced identical issues.
4. Partial Coverage Does Not Equal Full RemedyContrary to the service manager’s statement, Nissan did not fully cover the first engine replacement. They covered a small percentage, leaving me with a substantial out-of-pocket cost for a vehicle that was less than halfway through a reasonable service life.
5. Selling Cars With Known DefectsGiven the publicly available evidence of widespread sludge and premature engine failures in Nissan Pathfinders, continuing to sell these vehicles without disclosure is deceptive and fraudulent. Nissan and its dealers are fully aware of these issues yet shift blame to consumers to avoid honoring warranty and defect coverage.
⸻
ConclusionThe narrative that my “lack of maintenance” caused these failures is false and disproven by my maintenance records. The refusal to review these records, combined with the known history of engine issues in Nissan vehicles, shows a deliberate attempt to mislead and deny rightful coverage. This is a clear case of selling defective products, avoiding responsibility, and engaging in bad faith warranty practices.
I am requesting that Nissan fully reimburse the cost of the second engine replacement or replace the vehicle entirely, given the repeated catastrophic failures.

How many miles between each oil change?