2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 320 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 11 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJun 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.
An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V420000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchJan 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V020000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V681000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakesJan 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Structure, Jun 4, 2026
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.
Structure, Feb 4, 2024
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.
Structure, Aug 18, 2022
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.
Structure, Jan 2, 2021
DRIVER SIDE VISOR KEEP FALLING DOWN WHILE DRIVING
Structure, Feb 3, 2020
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.
Structure, Aug 2, 2019
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
Structure, May 13, 2017
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.
Air bags, Structure, Seats, Mar 24, 2017, crash, fire
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.
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Mar 12, 2017, crash
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
Structure, Feb 17, 2017
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.
Power train, Structure, Service brakes, May 16, 2016
WHILE DRIVING OUR PATHFINDER IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I'VE STARTED TO NOTICE AND FEEL A JUDDERING & JERKING MOTION COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION/POWERTRAIN EVERY TIME I DEPRESS OR PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL AT BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 15 TO 40 MPH. I PLAN TO REPORT THIS TO NISSAN ALONG WITH A COUPLE MORE ISSUES LIKE THE CRACKLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION USUALLY AFTER REVERSING BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THEN MOVING FORWARD WHILE SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL BACK TO A STRAIGHT POSITION. COULD BE A BEARING ISSUE, RACKING PINION OR POSSIBLY THE BRAKE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I WILL ALSO REPORT THE CONSTANT ANNOUNCE OF A CRACKLING SOUND COMING FROM THE WOOD PANELING AROUND STEREO AND AIR CONDITION CONTROLS. LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE SCARY & VISIBLE SHAKING OF THE FRONT HOOD WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF OVER 80MPH. THIS VIOLENTLY SHAKING FROM THE HOOD WILL CERTAINLY LET YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU GO ANY FASTER CHANCES ARE THE HOOD WILL FLY OFF OR CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS IS ISSUE IS CLEARLY AN AERO DYNAMIC FLAW. HOW CAN THEY NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS POSSIBLE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ?
Structure, Jan 20, 2016
WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55PMH. THE HOOD BEGINS TO SHAKE/FLUTTER AD IT SEEMS THE HOOD IS ABOUT TO OPEN. OTHER FRIENDS/RELATIVES WITH THE SAME VEHICLE MADE IN 2015 OR 2014 HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER STATE DIT NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED BUT AFTER DOING SO, THE SAME OCCURS. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TOT HE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO POSITIVE RESULT. FLORIDA TURNPIKE IS A 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT AND IT IS VERY SCARY AS THE HOOD SHAKE EVEN MORE AT THAT SPEED.