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
320 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2021
We bought our car from Newton Nissan south in 2019 it’s a 2015 and has a CTV transmission well now the CTV transmission will not switch into any other gears it jerks and shakes bucks etc I have read that this is a on going issues with this type of transmission well because the in-service date being 2015 the warranty does not cover the car even thought we didn’t purchase it will 2019 I’m trying to see what can be done about this because it’s not a uncommon issue for this type of transmission
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2021
On 8-16-21, while driving at highway speed, the sunroof over the driver/passenger area in the vehicle spontaneously exploded. No evidence of any item hitting it was located. No vehicles or underpasses were near the vehicle when this occurred. From attached photographs, it is clear the glass pushed up from the explosion, not downward as if something impacted it.
Power train, Aug 1, 2021
Car stuffers at low speeds and looses power when shifting from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 at times.
Power train, May 1, 2021
AS YOU ARE DRIVING THE CAR LOOSES POWER, IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVING, TURNING CORNERS , GOING UP HILLS HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS TO MAKE IT GO ALSO HAVE TO PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR GOING UP HILL AND AT TIMES ON STRAIGHT ROAD.THE DEALER SCANNED IT WAS THE CVT TRANSMISSION. WE REPLACED IT AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM, NISSAN IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH NISSAN TRANSMISSIONS HOPEFULLY YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD, HOPEFULLY SOMEONE ISN'T HURT OR KILLED OVER THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION $5000 COST TO US AND THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED, I HAVE DOCUMENTS TO SHOW WHAT THEY REPLACED BUT DO NOT HAVE ANYWAY TO GET THESE TO YOU,IF YOU HAVE A FAX NUMBER WE CAN FAX THEM TO YOU. WOULD APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP, THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Apr 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED JEFF WYLER NISSAN OF CINCINNATI (8680 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45251, (513)385-1400) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
Seats, Apr 17, 2021
THE BOLT HOLDING THE SEAT IN PLACE ON THE DRIVES SIDE BROKE LEAVING THE SEAT ABLE TO SHIFT A COUPLE OF DEGREES. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT IT JUST BROKE OFF AS I BREAKED. IT WAS NOT A HARD BREAK JUST STANDARD STOP AND GO. THE RESULT WAS THAT I LEANDER FORWARD A BIT. AS A DRIVER OF A MOVING VEHICLE THIS WAS NOT GOOD
Engine, Mar 23, 2021
FOR OVER 6 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SPUTTERING OFF AND ON. JUST RECENTLY, WHEN CRANKING IT UP, IT WOULD BLOW OUT WHITE SMOKE AND SPUTTER EVEN WORSE. WE BOUGHT IT IN MARCH 2020 KNOWING IT WAS SPUTTERING BUT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT. NOW IT'S WITH NISSAN WHERE IT'S BEEN FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS. THEY'RE STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE ISSUES. I'VE ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR YEAR AND MAKE/ MODEL VEHICLES HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. IF THIS REALLY IS AN ISSUE, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 2, 2021
THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A HIGH PITCH SOUND FROM THE RADIATOR. WELL MY CAR IS DOING THIS ISSUE WHERE THE HEAT IS ON AND IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE FROM THAT AREA. COULD IT NOT OF BEEN REPAIRED LIKE IT STATS? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 25, 2021
ELECTRICAL ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILURE ASSEMBLY. LOUD GRINDING NOISE ON DRIVER SIDE FAN WHICH IS AN ASSEMBLY OF TWO FANS IN ONE UNIT. WIDELY AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON WEB POINTS TO WHEEL BEARING FAILURE INSIDE THE FAN.
Structure, Jan 2, 2021
DRIVER SIDE VISOR KEEP FALLING DOWN WHILE DRIVING
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 1, 2020
THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STUCK AT THE SAME SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHERE THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THE ACCELERATION WOULD NOT WORK ON LOCAL ROADS AS WELL AS THE INTERSTATE THUS CONSIDERABLY SLOWING THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC UPON GETTING IT INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS FAULTY.
Power train, Engine, Nov 25, 2020
I JUST PURCHASED THIS SUV USED WITH 84000 MILE WITHIN 24 HR THE CAR STARTS TO DRIVE LIKE I AM RUNNING OVER SPEED BUMP LIKE IT'S NOT PULLING OR SOMETHING KIND OF HARD TO EXPLAIN THE GAUGES BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH WHEN IT HAPPENS IT'S TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED BUT STALLING IT'S CLEARLY THE CVT ISSUE IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND JUST RIDING THROUGH TOWN IT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER NOT WANTING TO THE SAME SPEED I WAS AT
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 23, 2020
WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE HOOD OPENED UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE SAFETY LATCH DID NOT ENGAGE. IT BENT UP THE HOOD, CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD AND DENTED THE ROOF. THE HOOD WAS DOWN AND LATCHED WHEN WE LEFT. I KNOW NISSAN HAD RECALLS FOR 2013 AND 14. I CALLED NISSAN BUT HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE AS OF THIS WRITTING
Other or unspecified, Nov 7, 2020
VERY LOUD PLASTIC RATTLE WHEN CLIMATE CONTROL IS TURNED ON AND PLASTIC FAN AT THE ENGINE SIDE OF THE RADIATOR STARTS SPINNING.
Power train, Oct 28, 2020
GOOD DAY. SINCE THE 1ST DAY OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION LIKE HESITATION, JERKING / SHUDDERING / SHAKING AND ABNORMAL WHINING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. I WAS NOT AWARE ABOUT NISSAN'S MAJOR CVT ISSUES UNTIL RECENTLY. VEHICLE'S BRAKING IS AFFECTED BECAUSE OF THIS ABNORMAL TRANSMISSION'S OPERATION AS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP AS NEEDED OR REQUESTED INSTEAD OFTEN SLIPPING OCCURS WHEN DOWNSHIFTING TO LOWER GEARS. NISSAN SERVICE CENTER WAS VISITED ONCE ABOUT A YEAR AGO OR LESS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SOFTWARE FOR TRANSMISSION WAS SOMEHOW MISSING ON THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT EXPLAINING HOW CAN A VEHICLE BE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE. AFTER INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE, THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PIN POINT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I WAS CHARGED ABOUT $140 WITHOUT BEING PROVIDED A CLEAR DIAGNOSE, BUT WAS TOLD THAT MOST LIKELY THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. CONTROL VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED SINCE THEN, HOWEVER VEHICLE DRIVES THE SAME EXACT WAY. PLEASE, ADVISE HOW CAN GET ASSISTANCE FROM.
Engine, Oct 22, 2020
THE ENGINE COOLING FAN PART NUMBER 21481-3JA2E HAS FAILED TWICE IN THIS VEHICLE. FIRST TIME AT 50,529 MILES AND AGAIN AT 106,370
Power train, Engine, Oct 14, 2020
MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 28000 MILES AND I HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION.
Air bags, Oct 6, 2020, crash
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
Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2020
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.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 15, 2020
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2020
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2020
THE COOLING FAN OR SOMETHING MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHENEVER THE AIR IS TURNED ON WHENEVER IT'S SITTING OR DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2020
UNREPAIRED SAFETY RECALLS REPORTED BY NHTSA
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2020
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
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2020
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