NHTSA Complaint #11706465 — 2023 NISSAN PATHFINDER

I am reporting a concern regarding premature rear brake pad and rotor wear on a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder that appears inconsistent with mileage and normal driving conditions and may indicate a brake system design or control issue. The vehicle was purchased as Nissan Certified Pre-Owned with approximately 4,000 miles and has received multiple Nissan dealer inspections with no brake concerns noted. A Nissan Vehicle Health Report issued shortly before the issue indicated “No Action Required” for the brake system. At approximately 14,600 miles, a Nissan dealer measured the rear brake pads at approximately 3 mm, while the front brakes were still in good condition. A second inspection by an independent repair facility confirmed advanced rear brake wear and further determined that the rear brake rotors were damaged and not serviceable. The independent shop advised returning the vehicle to Nissan because the wear pattern was not consistent with mileage or normal driving behavior. Rear brakes wearing significantly faster than front brakes is atypical. The vehicle has not been used for aggressive driving, towing, or severe duty. A Nissan service advisor stated that they have seen early rear brake wear on Nissan Pathfinders and suggested it may be related to the Auto Hold brake feature. The Auto Hold feature is not used on this vehicle, raising concern that brake system logic, electronic parking brake behavior, or control software may be contributing to unintended brake application or drag. Premature rear brake and rotor wear could reduce braking effectiveness, increase stopping distance, and create a potential safety risk, especially if drivers are unaware of accelerated brake degradation. I am submitting this complaint to document a potential pattern of early rear brake system wear on this vehicle model for safety review.