2018 Nissan Pathfinder: Timing chain failing
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Pathfinder report: timing chain failing. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 87,000 miles.
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints for the 2018 Pathfinder in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11755553 (filed 08/07/2026): “The vehicle veers towards the right, even though a wheel alignment was completed on 7/1/26. on 7/28/26 when driving the vehicle, it wouldn’t accelerate properly, it felt sluggish and although the gas pedal was depressed it was struggling to pick up speed. as t…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11702980 (filed 12/04/2025): “The contact owns a 2018 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. the failure persisted, and there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine with the ch…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace timing chain (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $3,900 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: timing chain and tensioner replacement
Average shop cost
$835
Range $400–$1,390 (labor)
4.0–10.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,255
Range $600–$2,085 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2010 Chevrolet Traverse: Timing chain code issue · 2010 Dodge Charger: Timing chain tensioner failure · 2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Timing chain tensioner failure
Page last updated .