IllustrationTHE ENGINE COOLING FAN PART NUMBER 21481-3JA2E HAS FAILED TWICE IN THIS VEHICLE. FIRST TIME AT 50,529 MILES AND AGAIN AT 106,370
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
560–25K
6825–50K
5550–75K
2275–100K
14100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
320 reportsMY CAR HAS LESS THAN 28000 MILES AND I HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION.
WAS IN ACCIDENT MOVING ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR AND SLOWING AS APPROACHING LIGHT ON A LOCAL CITY STREET. CAR TRUED TO PASS ILLEGALLY ON LEFT. I MOVED RIGHT TO AVOID AND HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT VERY SLOW SPEED. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO FRINT END. DRIVER AIRBAG OPENED IN A PARTIALLY DEFKATED MANNER. SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE OPENED . ESPE…
Read full complaint
WAS IN ACCIDENT MOVING ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR AND SLOWING AS APPROACHING LIGHT ON A LOCAL CITY STREET. CAR TRUED TO PASS ILLEGALLY ON LEFT. I MOVED RIGHT TO AVOID AND HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT VERY SLOW SPEED. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO FRINT END. DRIVER AIRBAG OPENED IN A PARTIALLY DEFKATED MANNER. SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE OPENED . ESPECIALLY INCORRECTLY
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (AT LEAST 6 - TWICE WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER), WHEN TURNING AFTER SLOWING DOWN OR BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER. IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS YOUR FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN AGAIN. IT A A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN ONCOMING …
Read full complaint
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (AT LEAST 6 - TWICE WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER), WHEN TURNING AFTER SLOWING DOWN OR BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER. IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNLESS YOUR FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN AGAIN. IT A A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. AN ACCIDENT IS BOUND TO OCCUR. THE CAR DEALER CAN'T ISOLATE THE ISSUE. THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE WHICH THEY THINK MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM.. THE COST IS $2100 FOR THE PART ALONE TO REPAIR WHAT THEY HOPE WILL FIX IT. THIS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A RECALL.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I HOPE THAT THIS EMAIL DOESN'T FALL UNDER DEAF EARS AND SOMEONE CAN REACH OUT AND ASSIST ME WITH MY VEHICLE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTORY PROBLEM. I HAVE THREE LOVELY KID…
Read full complaint
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I HOPE THAT THIS EMAIL DOESN'T FALL UNDER DEAF EARS AND SOMEONE CAN REACH OUT AND ASSIST ME WITH MY VEHICLE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTORY PROBLEM. I HAVE THREE LOVELY KIDS THAT DEPEND ON THEIR MOTHER TO DRIVE THEM AROUND. AS A LOYAL NISSAN OWNER, THE BRAND HISTORY AND QUALITY IS WHY I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU FOR YEARS AND THE REASON I INVESTED IN THE PURCHASE OF YOUR VEHICLE (BRAND NEW). MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAS ALWAYS BEEN NISSAN LOYAL CUSTOMERS FOR YEARS AND THIS HAS ERODED OUR CONCERNS IN THE QUALITY AND BRAND. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS POOR QUALITY ON PREVIOUS VEHICLES THAT WE PURCHASED IN THE PAST SO THIS IS WHY I COME TO YOU NOW THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO ASSIST US. I HOPE THIS LAST EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO YOU AND ADDRESS MY SAFETY CONCERNS. WE EXPECT THAT YOU ARE AS LOYAL TO YOUR CUSTOMERS AS YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE LOYAL TO YOU WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE. MY VEHICLE SEEMS TO SHUDDERS (JERKS AND STUTTERS) DURING ACCELERATION OR DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTORY ISSUE/DEFECT AND I NEEDED TO CONTACT YOU. I ATTACHED A COPY OF THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTION. I REVIEWED THE US NHTSA WEBSITE AND NOTICED SEVERAL SIMILAR ISSUES RELATED TO MY MODEL FROM VARIOUS CUSTOMERS SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE REVIEW AND INFORMED ME WHAT COURSE OF ACTION I NEED TO PROCEED. WE WAIT FOR YOUR RESPONSE AND HOPE TO SEE THIS MATTER RESOLVED.
THE COOLING FAN BEGAN TO RATTLE, ALMOST COMING OFF INTO THE RADIATOR. THEN THE CONDENSER WENT OUT FOR THE A/C. BOTH PARTS WERE REDESIGNED BY NISSAN, WHICH ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM.
THE COOLING FAN OR SOMETHING MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHENEVER THE AIR IS TURNED ON WHENEVER IT'S SITTING OR DRIVING
UNREPAIRED SAFETY RECALLS REPORTED BY NHTSA
NOTICED THAT A LOUD CLACKING/CLUNKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. NOISE SEEMED TO ONLY BE APPARENT WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON. IT SEEMS THAT THE COOLING FAN IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
I HAVE BOUGHT A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER FROM THE DEALER AND CURRENTLY HAS 44,507 MILES ON IT AND THE RADIATOR FAN STARTED MAKING CLANKING SOUND ITS VERY LOUD. NOW I HAVE TO GET THIS FIXED BUT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THEIR ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME VEHICLE JUST SEARCH IT ONLINE AND YOU WIL…
Read full complaint
I HAVE BOUGHT A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER FROM THE DEALER AND CURRENTLY HAS 44,507 MILES ON IT AND THE RADIATOR FAN STARTED MAKING CLANKING SOUND ITS VERY LOUD. NOW I HAVE TO GET THIS FIXED BUT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THEIR ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME VEHICLE JUST SEARCH IT ONLINE AND YOU WILL FIND IT. I GUESS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Official recalls
522V420000 · 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
1PE21022 · 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.