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2015 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

221 reports with mileage · 99 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Structure complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2026
StructureSuspension

The control arm detached from the front subframe due to massive rust on a car that was well cared for and only 10 years old. This happened as we were driving: the front passenger-side wheel became loose and began flopping back and forth, forcing me to immediately pull over into a gas station. I do not want to imagine what would …

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The control arm detached from the front subframe due to massive rust on a car that was well cared for and only 10 years old. This happened as we were driving: the front passenger-side wheel became loose and began flopping back and forth, forcing me to immediately pull over into a gas station. I do not want to imagine what would have happened if this had detached on the highway instead of on a town side road. There were NO warnings or symptoms before this catastrophic failure. I had it towed to my regular mechanic, not realizing the extent of the damage—they wouldn't even put it on a lift. I then had it towed to the dealership, where they confirmed the damage was so extensive that (1) both control arms and the front subframe would need to be replaced due to rust ($5,800), and (2) the rear subframe was also extensively rusted, unsafe, and in need of imminent replacement, quoted at an additional $7,000. This being an exorbitant amount for a 10-year-old Nissan Pathfinder, I was forced to sell it to a salvage yard for a pittance just to buy a vehicle I could drive to work—and I can only hope it lasts until I can afford something better. I purchased this Pathfinder about 14 months ago. It was "inspected" by the dealer as well as by my regular mechanic at that time, with no indication that rust was a concern or even worth a comment. I am horrified by how much worse this could have been. We were on a trip more than an hour from home, heading toward the highway to return, when this occurred. No one should have to worry about something like this. Especially because, when I began researching, I found that this is a KNOWN defect on this model and others like it. It is NOT okay to put people at risk of serious or deadly injury when manufacturers KNOW water pools in places that can't be seen or checked, rotting the frame and subframe from the INSIDE out.

NHTSA ODI #11742196

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2024
Structure

Hood latch won’t close fully. Took to my dealer and supposedly they “cleaned” it and it keeps not fully latching and dealer won’t do anything about it because they “cleaned” it previously. Randomly comes loose. I can’t list a. Specific date because it always happens if I take it for an oil change they can’t get the hood to ful…

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Hood latch won’t close fully. Took to my dealer and supposedly they “cleaned” it and it keeps not fully latching and dealer won’t do anything about it because they “cleaned” it previously. Randomly comes loose. I can’t list a. Specific date because it always happens if I take it for an oil change they can’t get the hood to fully latch either. Once you open the hood it will not fully latch.

NHTSA ODI #11569780

63,000 miles · Aug 18, 2022
Structure

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to latch correctly due to the release button being fractured inwardly. Due to the failure, the release button failed to respond appropriately whenever activated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the release butt…

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The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to latch correctly due to the release button being fractured inwardly. Due to the failure, the release button failed to respond appropriately whenever activated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the release button needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #11480029

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2021
Structure

DRIVER SIDE VISOR KEEP FALLING DOWN WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11386093

55,800 miles · Feb 3, 2020
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED, OPENED SMASHED INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DURING THE INCIDENT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE BODY FENDERS WERE DAMAGED. THE LOCAL DEALER MANSFIELD MOTOR GROUP (1493 PARK AVE WEST, MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED, OPENED SMASHED INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DURING THE INCIDENT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE BODY FENDERS WERE DAMAGED. THE LOCAL DEALER MANSFIELD MOTOR GROUP (1493 PARK AVE WEST, MANSFIELD OH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,800.

NHTSA ODI #11306735

40,000 miles · Aug 2, 2019
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE ROOF WERE LOOSE AND THE BOLTS TO SECURE THE LUGGAGE BAR WERE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. D'ADDARIO NISSAN(329 BRIDGEPORT AVE, SHELTON, CT) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE ROOF WERE LOOSE AND THE BOLTS TO SECURE THE LUGGAGE BAR WERE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. D'ADDARIO NISSAN(329 BRIDGEPORT AVE, SHELTON, CT) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE TWO ROOF BARS WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11241339

3,500 miles · May 13, 2017
Structure

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (OR EQUIVALENT WITH WIND), THE HOOD SHAKES LIKE IT IS BEING LIFTED BY THE WIND. IT SEEMS TO SHAKE/VIBRATE BETWEEN THE LATCH AND THE BUMPERS. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND THEY ARE INFORMED ME THIS IS "NORMAL" AND THEY HAVE ADJUSTED THE LATCH AND BUMPERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THIS HAS NOT SOLV…

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AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (OR EQUIVALENT WITH WIND), THE HOOD SHAKES LIKE IT IS BEING LIFTED BY THE WIND. IT SEEMS TO SHAKE/VIBRATE BETWEEN THE LATCH AND THE BUMPERS. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS AND THEY ARE INFORMED ME THIS IS "NORMAL" AND THEY HAVE ADJUSTED THE LATCH AND BUMPERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE SHAKING AND I AM WORRIED THAT OVER TIME THE LATCH WILL BREAK AND THE HOOD WILL OPEN. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS IS LIKELY VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10985520

33,000 miles · Mar 24, 2017
Air BagsSeatsStructureCrashFire

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE ANOTHER CAR CLIPPED THE BACK BUMPER OF MY PATHFINDER GOING TROUGH AN INTERSECTION. IT WAS ENOUGH TO DEPLOY MY CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE SEAT AIR BAG IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, BUT DID MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BACK BUMPER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. BUT, AFTER EVERYONE WAS OUT OF MY PATHFINDER,…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE ANOTHER CAR CLIPPED THE BACK BUMPER OF MY PATHFINDER GOING TROUGH AN INTERSECTION. IT WAS ENOUGH TO DEPLOY MY CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE SEAT AIR BAG IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, BUT DID MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BACK BUMPER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. BUT, AFTER EVERYONE WAS OUT OF MY PATHFINDER, A POLICE OFFICER NOTICED A FIRE INSIDE THE PATHFINDER. IT WAS LOCATED ON THE PANEL BETWEEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE BACK DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I DON'T HAVE PICTURES (I DIDN'T THINK TO TAKE ANY) AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS HANDLING THE POLICE REPORT AND ALL THE DETAILS, BUT THE OFFICER ASKED ME TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO YOU SO I AM.

NHTSA ODI #10968282

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2017
Air BagsStructureWheelsCrashInjury

2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER ENVOLVED IN UNKNOWN ACCIDENT AIR BAG DEPLOYED, NISSAN REFUSES TO RESPOND , NUMERIOUS RECALLS, BELIEF CONCUSION OCCURRED NEED ASSISTANCE, STOPED PAYMENTS, COLLECTION HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ME , VIN ON PATHFINDER DOESN'T MATCH VEH, ASKED THEM ALSO TO PROVIDE DATE OF MFG NOT RECIEVED

NHTSA ODI #10960227

25,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
Structure

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE ROADWAY (SPEED - 40 M.P.H.), THE HOOD OPENED AND OBSTRUCTED MY VIEW. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND RE-SECURE THE HOOD. THE DAMAGE TO THE FENDERS WAS EXTENSIVE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACEDD, AS WELL AS THE HOOD LATCH MECHANISM. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE…

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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE ROADWAY (SPEED - 40 M.P.H.), THE HOOD OPENED AND OBSTRUCTED MY VIEW. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND RE-SECURE THE HOOD. THE DAMAGE TO THE FENDERS WAS EXTENSIVE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACEDD, AS WELL AS THE HOOD LATCH MECHANISM. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REED NISSAN (3776 W COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32808), WHO SAID THE LATCH MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #10955307

Official recalls

5

22V420000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Jun 13, 2022

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Pathfinder vehicles. On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 26, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are R22A2 R22A3 and R24B7.

21V020000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jan 20, 2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. The location of the brake light switch may cause the brake light switch relay to repeatedly open and close. Overtime, this can cause the relay to stick in the "ON" position, with the brake lights remaining illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, this may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brake pedal.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Continual illumination of the brake lights can prevent other drivers from realizing the vehicle is actually slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash. With the brake override activated, the driver will not be able to accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. The driver can shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, either re-install the brake light switch or swap positions with the Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) switch; depending on the model year vehicle. In addition, the brake light relay will be replaced with a new one. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall PC786. Note: this recall supersedes 16V-380.

16V244000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Apr 26, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

15V681000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Oct 20, 2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags:frontal

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

15V012000 · Service Brakes

Jan 14, 2015

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to November 5, 2014, and 2014-2015 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured August 12, 2014, to November 15, 2014. During the assembly process, the front wheel hub assembly fasteners may not have been properly torqued.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The under-torqued fasteners may result in a brake caliper separating from the wheel assembly causing a reduction in braking performance or reduced steering control. These conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and tighten any loose bolts to the proper specification, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE21022 · Hood Latch/bell Crank Assembly

Opened Dec 9, 2021 · Closed Jul 8, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate consumer complaints alleging hood latch failures occurring on certain model year (MY) 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. Complaints received indicated a sudden and unexpected opening of the hood while the vehicle was in motion, blocking the driver's visibility.During this investigation Nissan collected parts from the field to analyze for root cause of the alleged failures. On June 13, 2022, Nissan submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a hood bell crank assembly defect in certain MY2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles produced at the Smyrna, TN plant. According to Nissan's DIR, an accumulation of dust and dirt contamination on and around the bell crank lever pivot joint, which actuates the secondary hood latch, can create a condition that can cause the lever to remain in the open position after it has been disengaged. In this condition, the secondary hood latch may not hold the hood closed as designed while the vehicle is in motion obstructing the driver's forward view and increasing the risk of a crash.A remedy plan for all affected vehicles is currently under development. See recall action 22V-420 for further details. Nissan's action resolves the issues raised by this investigation, and therefore, this investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be found with ID numbers: 11456378, 11448298, 11436637, 11431131, 11427702, 11423321, 11406574, 11398825, 11389741, 11387952, 11375938, 11349105,11306735, 11302647, 11190468, 11166607.