Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
1525–50K
2150–75K
775–100K
1100–150K
3150K+
65 reports with mileage · 40 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.
Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
105 reports
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2019
Unknown Or Other
A RATTLE BEGAN IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR NEAR THE ENGINE. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO NISSAN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT FAN WAS GOING BAD AND SHAKING. I WAS TOLD IF NOT REPLACED, IT WOULD DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION FAN. I WAS QUOTED $873 TO GET A NEW FAN ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD THAT HAS NEVER BEEN INV…
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A RATTLE BEGAN IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR NEAR THE ENGINE. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO NISSAN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THEY NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT FAN WAS GOING BAD AND SHAKING. I WAS TOLD IF NOT REPLACED, IT WOULD DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION FAN. I WAS QUOTED $873 TO GET A NEW FAN ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD THAT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT TO WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS.
NHTSA ODI #11209388
81,000 miles · May 22, 2019
Electrical System
2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 81,000 MILES. DUAL COOLING FANS BEHIND RADIATOR HAVE LOUD RATTLE, ESPECIALLY WHILE A/C IS BEING USED. NISSAN OF CHATTANOOGA EAST STATES COMMON FAILURE AT BEARINGS INSIDE THE DUAL COOLING FANS BEHIND RADIATOR. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT IS SO VERY COMMON THERE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE A RECALL …
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2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 81,000 MILES. DUAL COOLING FANS BEHIND RADIATOR HAVE LOUD RATTLE, ESPECIALLY WHILE A/C IS BEING USED. NISSAN OF CHATTANOOGA EAST STATES COMMON FAILURE AT BEARINGS INSIDE THE DUAL COOLING FANS BEHIND RADIATOR. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT IS SO VERY COMMON THERE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE A RECALL BY NISSAN
NHTSA ODI #11209375
60,000 miles · May 9, 2019
Engine
ENGINE COOLING FAN BROKE AT <60K MILES-RATTLING SO MUCH NEARLY PUNCTURED RADIATOR
NHTSA ODI #11206408
Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2019
Air Bags
AIRBAG LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING , WHEN CALLING THE DEALERSHIP MY NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO ACCIDENT ON THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS PURCHASE NEW AUGUST 2016 .
NHTSA ODI #11194364
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2019
Unknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH THE HEAT ON. A RANDOM NOISE APPEARED THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD BEFORE SO I TURNED OFF THE RADIO AND STILL HEARD THE NOISE. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE HEATER, THE NOISE STOPPED. I TURNED THE HEATER BACK ON AND THE NOISE APPEARED AGAIN BUT STOPPED. BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE FAN. I …
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I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH THE HEAT ON. A RANDOM NOISE APPEARED THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD BEFORE SO I TURNED OFF THE RADIO AND STILL HEARD THE NOISE. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE HEATER, THE NOISE STOPPED. I TURNED THE HEATER BACK ON AND THE NOISE APPEARED AGAIN BUT STOPPED. BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE FAN. I ASKED FOR A PRICE AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE THE INFORMATION I WAS GIVEN. I THEN DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAN AND THE NOISE. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RELIABLE /ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #11185964
80,000 miles · Mar 6, 2019
Unknown Or Other
RADIATOR FAN BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN AC OR HEAT IS ON. THE SOUND AND VOLUME OF THE NOISE VARIES BUT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY AND THAT HE'S REPLACED A DOZEN ON THIS MODEL. IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL FOR. $…
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RADIATOR FAN BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN AC OR HEAT IS ON. THE SOUND AND VOLUME OF THE NOISE VARIES BUT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY AND THAT HE'S REPLACED A DOZEN ON THIS MODEL. IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE THAT NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL FOR. $800 REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11184673
30,726 miles · Mar 6, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED UNEXPLAINED SOUNDS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND A PASSENGER IN THE BACKSEAT OPENED AND CLOSED THE DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR WAS SHUT THE NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CATION WAS REPEATED AND WE NOTED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM OVERHEAD IN THE BACKSEAT AREA. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE PANOR…
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WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED UNEXPLAINED SOUNDS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND A PASSENGER IN THE BACKSEAT OPENED AND CLOSED THE DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR WAS SHUT THE NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CATION WAS REPEATED AND WE NOTED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM OVERHEAD IN THE BACKSEAT AREA. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NOTHING HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH IT. THE BROKEN GLASS WAS CONTAINED IN THE CLOSED SHADE. *DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11184663
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2019
Electrical System
2016 PATHFINDER NISSAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR PART REPLACEMENT THAT WAS CAUSED FROM A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *AS *TR
NHTSA ODI #11173996
17,000 miles · Feb 18, 2019
WheelsCrash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR STARTED VIBRATING (MUCH LIKE THE FEELING OF WHEN A CAR NEEDS TO GET THE WHEELS ALIGNED). I GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY TO TAKE IT TO A NEARBY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE PARTS SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHEN I WAS DRIVING, MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FLEW OFF OF …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR STARTED VIBRATING (MUCH LIKE THE FEELING OF WHEN A CAR NEEDS TO GET THE WHEELS ALIGNED). I GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY TO TAKE IT TO A NEARBY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE PARTS SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHEN I WAS DRIVING, MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL FLEW OFF OF MY VEHICLE. MY CAR WAS THEN LYING ON THE END OF THE AXLE AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND STUCK IN THE ROAD. I WAS AT THE VERY LEFT SIDE OF THE STREET AND LUCKILY THE WHEEL DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON AND CAUSE ANY INJURIES. THIS PATHFINDER IS A 2016 AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. IT HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR SINCE I HAVE HAD IT UNTIL NOW. I HAVE NOT NEEDED TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED YET BECAUSE THE TREAD ON THE TIRES LOOK GOOD AND NOT WORN DOWN. I HAVE NOT NEEDED TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED EITHER. SO, THE TIRES HAVE NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF OF THIS VEHICLE. NISSAN CLAIMS THAT THEY THINK THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO LOOSE LUG NUTS. I CLAIM THAT THIS ISSUE DID NOT START UNTIL I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY HALFWAY HOME. I CLAIM THAT THIS ISSUE WAS FROM DEFECTIVE LUG NUTS. JUST 2 YEARS BEFORE, IN 2014, THERE WAS A RECALL NISSAN HAD RELATED TO LUG NUTS FOR PATHFINDERS AND THAT WAS RESOLVED, HOWEVER, IT IS REASONABLE TO THINK THAT THIS COULD BE ANOTHER POTENTIAL RECALL ISSUE. MY ADVICE FOR ANY ONE HAVING A 2016 PATHFINDER IS TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE THEIR LUG NUTS ARE NOT DEFECTIVE. I HAVE MUCH MORE DETAILS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THAT I CAN PROVIDE THAT SUPPORTS MY CASE. I FEAR THAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE, THERE IS A STRONG CHANCE THIS COULD END UP CAUSING A CRASH AND/OR GETTING OTHER PEOPLE KILLED. THE PAST RECALL IN 05/02/2014 THAT I MENTIONED IS RECALL NUMBER 14V229000, COMPONENT: WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS. ALSO, I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL.
NHTSA ODI #11180953
112,303 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Engine
BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2016 NISSAN PARTFINDER SL IN 2016 , AT 65,191 MILES ONE EVENING COMING HOME I HEARD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE , TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER , HAD IT DIAGNOSE AND WAS INFORMED THE THE RADIATOR COOLANT FAN WAS WAS DEFECTIVE . I HAD IT REPLACED NOVEMBER 11/18 2017 , COST US $1268.49 , ON 02/12/2…
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BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2016 NISSAN PARTFINDER SL IN 2016 , AT 65,191 MILES ONE EVENING COMING HOME I HEARD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE , TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER , HAD IT DIAGNOSE AND WAS INFORMED THE THE RADIATOR COOLANT FAN WAS WAS DEFECTIVE . I HAD IT REPLACED NOVEMBER 11/18 2017 , COST US $1268.49 , ON 02/12/2019 THE BRAND NEW COOLING FAN FAIL AGAIN AT 112,303 MILES , TOOK IT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM PREVIOUS . WE CONTACT NISSAN REGIONAL OFFICE FOR REIMBURSEMENT ON REPAIRS AND PARTS OUR RECORDS WAS DENIED . HAVE IT FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AGAIN COST US $1016.21 PARTS AND LABOR . THE DEALERSHIP ADVISE US TO KEEP ON FIGHTING FOR THESE COSTS AND REPAIRS BECAUSE IT'S A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH ALL NISSANS COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY .
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 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.
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.
2016 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year