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 reports
47,395 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
BREAK LIGHTS WILL STAY ON EVEN IF THE CAR IS PARKED. IT WILL STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR THE BREAK LIGHTS TO GO OFF. REDICULOUS! THE OTHER ISSUE IS LOSS OF POWER. USUALLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE SKID DUMMY LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND STAY ON. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE …
Read full complaint
BREAK LIGHTS WILL STAY ON EVEN IF THE CAR IS PARKED. IT WILL STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR THE BREAK LIGHTS TO GO OFF. REDICULOUS! THE OTHER ISSUE IS LOSS OF POWER. USUALLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE SKID DUMMY LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND STAY ON. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR WILL NOT GO WHEN I PUSH THE GAS. EVEN IF THE ACCELERATOR IS FULLY DEPRESSED THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND FROM MY RESEARCH I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF PATHFINDER THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOME ONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED!!!
NHTSA ODI #11185986
70,000 miles · Mar 7, 2019
Power Train
MY CVT TRANSMISSION IS SO LOUD THAT I WAS ALMOST T BONED BY A FIRE TRUCK BECAUSE I COULD NOT HEAR THE SIRENS. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA ODI #11184763
40,500 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Engine
AT LESS THAN 41,000 MILES, THE BEARINGS IN THE DUAL RADIATOR AND CONDENSER FAN ASSEMBLY ARE WORN AND THE FAN ASSEMBLY SHAKES WHEN THE FANS TURN ON. IF THE FANS BREAK WHILE DRIVING, IT MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MANY OWNERS OF THIS NISSAN MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURRING AT 30,000 - 60,…
Read full complaint
AT LESS THAN 41,000 MILES, THE BEARINGS IN THE DUAL RADIATOR AND CONDENSER FAN ASSEMBLY ARE WORN AND THE FAN ASSEMBLY SHAKES WHEN THE FANS TURN ON. IF THE FANS BREAK WHILE DRIVING, IT MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MANY OWNERS OF THIS NISSAN MODEL HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE OCCURRING AT 30,000 - 60,000 MILES. THE FAN ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO BE UNRELIABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11183963
47,000 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Unknown Or Other
MY VEHICLE HAS 47000 MILES ON IT AND THE FAN HAS FAILED CAUSING NOISE WHEN EITHER THE HEAT OR AC IS TURNED ON. I SEE THAT IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT
NHTSA ODI #11183893
30,000 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Engine
DURING NORMAL OPERATION, RADIATOR COOLING FAN MAKES A BUZZING NOISE WHEN HVAC SYSTEM IS TURNED ON TO ANY SETTING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, PASSENGER SIDE RADIATOR FAN IS OFF BALANCE, CAUSING VIBRATION AND BUZZING SOUND. WITH VEHICLE TURNED OFF, FAN BLADE WAS VERIFIED LOSS. THE VEHICLE HAS 30,200 MILES. DURING MY RESEARCH, I HAVE…
Read full complaint
DURING NORMAL OPERATION, RADIATOR COOLING FAN MAKES A BUZZING NOISE WHEN HVAC SYSTEM IS TURNED ON TO ANY SETTING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, PASSENGER SIDE RADIATOR FAN IS OFF BALANCE, CAUSING VIBRATION AND BUZZING SOUND. WITH VEHICLE TURNED OFF, FAN BLADE WAS VERIFIED LOSS. THE VEHICLE HAS 30,200 MILES. DURING MY RESEARCH, I HAVE NOTICED MANY SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE SAME VEHICLE BETWEEN 30,000 AND 50,000 MILES. WITH A BACKGROUND IN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE AND QUALITY ENGINEERING, IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO EVENTUALLY CONTACT THE RADIATOR OR BREAK LOOSE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A COOLANT LEAK OR OTHER UNDERHOOD DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11182455
54,000 miles · Feb 24, 2019
Unknown Or Other
IN 2017 I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. I WOULD START TO ACCELERATE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND THE PATHFINDER WOULD ONLY MOVE AT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN IDLE SPEED UNTIL I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN ONCE AGAIN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. OTHER TI…
Read full complaint
IN 2017 I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. I WOULD START TO ACCELERATE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP AND THE PATHFINDER WOULD ONLY MOVE AT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN IDLE SPEED UNTIL I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN ONCE AGAIN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. OTHER TIMES I WILL BE DRIVING AT A SPEED ABOVE 20 MILES PER HOUR AND THE PATHFINDER WILL NO LONGER ACCELERATE PAST THE CURRENT SPEED NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR UNTIL I TAP THE BRAKE AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR. EVERY TIME EITHER OF THESE EVENTS HAPPENS, THE SLIP LIGHT INDICATOR WILL COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE PATHFINDER IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THIS ISSUE CAN HAPPEN 10 TIMES IN ONE DAY OR NOT AT ALL FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IN 2017 I FOUND A LOT OF PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE, SO I TOOK IT TO NISSAN D'PATRICK IN EVANSVILLE, IN. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND SPENT A COUPLE OF HOURS IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ADJUSTED A FEW THINGS BUT COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEM ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM. I WENT BACK TO D'PATRICK LETTING THEM KNOW THAT WHATEVER THEY ADJUSTED DID NOT WORK. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC AND THE PATHFINDER NOT ACCELERATING.I HAVE LEARNED TO BE PATIENT WHEN TURNING ON TO A BUSY STREET BECAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE PATHFINDER WILL NOT PERFORM THE SIMPLE DUTY OF ACCELERATING. THIS VEHICLE IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK TO MY FAMILY AND OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. I MET SOMEONE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM LOCALLY AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE FILED A COMPLAINT ON NISSAN AND HAD THE DEALERSHIP PULL UP ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS AND THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAVE A WORK AROUND FOR THE ISSUE BY BYPASSING A HARNESS SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11182202
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2019
Engine
COOLING FAN BEARINGS HAVE GONE BAD TWICE IN 75000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS STILL IN WARRANTY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AND IT IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE. THANKS
NHTSA ODI #11181743
26,000 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THE COOLANT FAN IS DEFECTIVE MAKES A TERRIBLE NOISE. I ONLY HAVE 26000 MILES AND NOW HAVE TO REPLACE A EXPENSIVE PART. UNFORTUNATELY WARRANT RAN OUT BECAUSE OF AGE OF CAR. IT WAS SITTING AT AN IDLE AND SUDDENLY THEN STARTED CLANGING VERY LOUDLY.
NHTSA ODI #11181426
45,000 miles · Feb 19, 2019
Engine
COOLING FAN FAILURE
NHTSA ODI #11181054
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE STALLS. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. BREAK LIGHT SWITCH RELAY.ALREADY A PREVIOUS RECALL.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2015 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration