Recall Alert: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti JX SUVs

Nissan is recalling more than 19,258 model-year 2013 Pathfinder and Infiniti JX SUVs due to a problem that could result in reduced braking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The vehicles were manufactured between Dec. 3, 2012, and Jan. 29, 2013. In these impacted cars the front brake torque member was improperly cast, resulting in structural weakness; this can lead to premature failure and cracking. If the part fails, the brake caliper could move and contact the inside of the road wheel, resulting in reduced braking and increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan will begin notifying owners in early May, and dealers will replace the parts for free. The investigation was prompted by a field report in March of a braking failure, the Detroit News reported.

Owners can contact Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

Related
Nissan recalls SUVs to fix brake problem (Detroit News)
Recall Alert: 2013 Nissan Altima, Leaf, Pathfinder, Sentra and Infiniti JX35
Read About Other Recalls

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Perhaps using its imposing makeover for 2013 to scare off competitors, the Toyota RAV4 continued its reign of terror atop our list of most-read reviews of the week. The compact crossover's nearest opponent, the 2013 Ford Fusion, generated a little more than a third of RAV4's reader interest. Maybe newcomers to the list, including the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (No. 6) and the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid (No. 10), will gain enough confidence in coming weeks to face down the RAV4.

Until then, check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2013 Ford Fusion
3. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
4. 2013 Ford Explorer
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2013 Nissan Altima
9. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
10. 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

The 2013 RAV4 held off the competition once again to retain the top spot among our most-read reviews of the week. It was joined by some fresh faces this week: the 2013 models of the Hyundai Sante Fe Sport, Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Fusion Hybrid landed at Nos. 6, 7 and 8, respectively, squeezing the Cadillac ATS, Mazda CX-5 and Acura RDX out of the top 10. Meanwhile, the Toyota Avalon, Ford Fusion and Ford Escape gained some ground, as the Ford Explorer, Nissan Altima and Subaru XV Crosstrek lost their footing.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2013 Toyota Avalon
3. 2013 Ford Fusion
4. 2013 Ford Escape
5. 2013 Ford Explorer
6. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
7. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
8. 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
9. 2013 Nissan Altima
10. Subaru XV Crosstrek

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

As Nissan hustles to catch up to competitors like Ford, Honda and Toyota in the growing three-row crossover market, the stylishly reimagined 2013 Pathfinder helps the automaker make up some ground by striking a balance between drivability and efficiency. Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays says the Pathfinder's passing power and towing capacity are diminished with the new 3.5-liter V-6 engine; cargo space and tech features could also be better. Still, he says, the crossover’s comfortable interior and lighter, more-fuel-efficient body show that the Pathfinder is on the right path.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Review

Recall Alert: 14,718 2011-12 Nissan and Infiniti Vehicles

Nissan is recalling 14,718 model-year 2011 and 2012 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles due to faulty engine bolts, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced. The recall affects the 2011 Infiniti FX, 2012 Infiniti M, 2011-12 Nissan Frontier, 2011-12 Nissan Xterra, 2011-12 Nissan Pathfinder and 2012 Nissan NV.

The affected bolts connecting the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine and may have been manufactured below specification strength. Weak bolts could break and lead to an engine oil leak. If there is a leak, the engine oil warning lamp will illuminate, and the engine may become noisy. If the driver ignores the condition, the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan will begin notifying owners on Jan. 19. Nissan and Infiniti dealers will inspect and replace relevant parts free of charge. For more info, owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder

If curvy crossovers aren't your style, the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder might fit the bill. With its standard three rows, this truck-based SUV can easily handle all the kids in your neighborhood carpool. The second and third rows fold flat into the floor for the days when you're hauling cargo, not kids. A truck-based SUV does have its downsides, though. For the Pathfinder, it's a stiff suspension and poor fuel economy.

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Family Review

Recall Alert: 2005-09 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, Xterra

Nissan has issued a recall for 242,720 Pathfinders, Frontiers and Xterras from the 2005-09 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall involves a crash sensor that deploys the airbag in an accident. The recall is aimed mainly at vehicles sold in cold-weather climates where road salt can corrode the crash sensor. The airbag warning light may illuminate.

Nissan will replace the faulty sensors with new ones in affected vehicles, and all owners will get a 10-year extended warranty on the crash sensors. Watch for the warning light regardless.  This is the second Nissan recall involving an airbag sensor in the past three months. The other recall affected passenger cars, including the Altima.

Owners can contact Nissan at 800-647-7261 or the NHTSA hotline at (888) 327-4236.

End-of-the-Model-Year Deals: Nissan

It's that time of year again: Manufacturers need to make room on dealer lots for new 2009 models, so the 2008s have to hit the road, and that means more incentives. We'll be highlighting deals from a number of manufacturers, along with notes on which models will change substantially for 2009.

Like many manufacturers, Nissan is offering huge cash-back offers on its trucks and SUVs — the Armada and Titan, specifically — but is also offering a good variety of cash-back deals on other 2008 models. A full list of 2008 Nissan deals from our incentives page is below:

• 2008 Altima: $1,000
• 2008 Armada: $5,000
• 2008 Frontier: $2,500
• 2008 Maxima: $2,500
• 2008 Pathfinder: $2,500
• 2008 Quest: $3,500
• 2008 Sentra: $1,000
• 2008 Titan: $5,000
• 2008 Xterra: $3,000
• 2008 Versa: $800

Those offers are available across a variety of regions we tested, but as always, be sure to use your own zip code to make sure offers apply in your region.The deals are good through Sept. 2.

The Maxima is all-new for 2009, and you can read our coverage of it here. The Frontier and Xterra receive some upgrades, but they aren't as significant. Check out the changes here.

Some SUVs Don't Hold Up in Side Crash Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s latest round of crash tests focused on midsize SUVs, and most of the vehicles tested didn’t do nearly as well as sedans and similarly sized crossover SUVs. The results will no doubt spark more debate among the bigger-is-safer and the get-your-land-yachts-off-the-road segments of the population.

The common thought is that the bigger the vehicle you’re in, the safer you are in an accident. There have been various studies to back that up that compare the number of road casualties to the types of vehicles involved. What IIHS discovered is that many popular midsize SUVs, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7X, rate Marginal side-impact scores. The two Nissan's did earn Good scores when equipped with optianl side airbags. The others came standard with side airbags. Most of the SUVs tested also didn’t do well in rear crash tests, and none earned a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS.

Interestingly enough, the vehicles tested were truck-based. Car-based crossover SUVs, including the Ford Edge, Subaru Tribeca and Honda Pilot, have gotten IIHS’ Top Safety Pick nod. Check out the full crash results below.

Nissan Prices 2008 Pathfinder

The new 2008 Nissan Pathfinder goes on sale today with a starting price of $25,700 for a V-6 powered 4x2 model, a $100 increase over the 2007 model. At the high end, a 310 horsepower V-8 4x4 is $38,700. This is the first time the Pathfinder has been offered with a V-8, and despite higher gas prices, many shoppers in this segment want the added capability, especially for towing. A full list of prices is listed below.