2016 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 107 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 10 involved a crash. 5 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
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
Representative owner complaints
107 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jan 10, 2020
THE DRIVERS SIDE COOLING FAN BEARING IS BAD AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FAN WHICH IS $1,000 WORTH OF WORK AND I ONLY HAVE 34,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. EVERY MECHANIC AND AUTO PARTS PERSON SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED THIS EARLY AND WITH THE MILEAGE I HAVE ON MY VEHICLE
Engine, Dec 25, 2019
HEATER/AC COOLING FAN CRAPPED OUT AT 45K. BEARINGS/BUSHINGS CAUSING LOUD, CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN HEAT OR AC IS ON. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME ON MY 2013 PATHFINDER.
Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2019
I TOOK MY PATHFINDER IN TO HAVE IT INSPECTED FOR A LOUD RATTLING WHEN THE HEAT IS ON ONLY TO BE TOLD MY CAR HAS COOLING FAN FAILURE. IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 57,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, MY 90 DAY WARRANTY HAS LAPSED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2019
I DON'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE OF THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT. TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE AND HAD TO INSIST MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER FOR NISSAN TO KEEP THE CAR AND KEEP TESTING AS WELL AS FOR THEM TO OPEN A CASE. THE SCREEN FOR THE 2016 PATHFINDER HAS TURNED SOLID BLUE A FEW TIMES BUT NOT SURE WHAT CAUSES IT. DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE CELL PHONE WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE THAT TO BE TRUE. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DUPLICATE IT SO THERE'S NOTHING THAN CAN DO. THIS SCREEN IS WHERE CLIENTS LIKE MYSELF SEE THE FULL VIEW OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE (SAFETY) AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS GPS, A/C & HEATER TEMPERATURE CONTROL, RADIO CHANNELS, WEATHER ETC. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE NO ONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE AND I REFUSE TO IT'S THE PHONES FAULT (MANY CELL PHONE USERS WHICH IS A LARGE NUMBER WOULD HAVE BEEN SENDING TONS OF COMPLAINTS). I STRONGLY BELIEVE IT'S A NISSAN ISSUE WITH THE CAR THAT I THINK IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE SCREEN TURNS BLUE WHEN BACKING UP
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2019
I PURCHASED A USED NISSAN PATHFINDER IN JULY 2019. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I ALSO PURCHASED A FULL-COVERAGE WARRANTY THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP ME. THEIR REASONING IS THAT THEY ARE NOT A NISSAN DEALER YET, THEY SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FOR MY CHILDREN TO BE IN AND REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OR HELP OTHERWISE. THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHILE ADULTS ARE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IT ALSO COMES ON EVEN WHEN MY 160 LB SON IS IN THE FRONT SEAT. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH THE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE A FEW YEARS AGO THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED, HOWEVER THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH NO INSULATION IN THE DOORS AND NO SEALS ON THE BOTTOMS OF THE DOORS. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE (ESPECIALLY NOW THAR IT'S VERGING ON WINTER) GETS FRIGID AND YOU CAN EVEN FEEL THE WIND COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW CONTROLS AND BUTTONS ON THE DOORS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2019
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND MYSELF. IT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 10, 2019
MY CAR LOSE THE POWER AND ONLY WAS 25MILES BY HOURS SPEED, THIS HAPPEN RUNNING IN THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, Aug 21, 2019
COOLING FAN FAILURE. WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF COOLING FAN BEARINGS FAILING FROM 30-60 THOUSAND MILES. IT VIBRATES AND CAN DAMAGE THE RADIATOR CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. IF YOU LOOK IN FORUMS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I HAVE THIS ISSUE AS WELL AND IT COMES ON SUDDENLY.
Air bags, Aug 6, 2019
RE: RECALL 16V244000 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS RECALLED TO FIX PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR. WITHIN 2 MONTHS AFTER REPAIR PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY. APPROX 30% OF STARTS SHOWED PASS AIRBAG OFF IN SPITE OF PASSENGER IN PLACE. THIS WOULD CORRECT BY RESTARTING VEHICLE. THIS WAS REPORTED TO DEALER AT EVERY 5000 MILE SERVICE AND HAD ADJUSTMENTS MADE A FEW TIMES. AIRBAG SENSOR WOULD BE FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS, THEN START ACTING UP AGAIN. THE LAST DEALER VISIT (55000 MILES) NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THIS NOW HAPPENS ON 75 % OF VEHICLE STARTS, AND SIMPLY RESTARTING IS NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVE. REPEATED RESTARTS (3-4) USUALLY CORRECTS PROBLEM, OR AT LEAST TURNS OFF THE "AIRBAG DISABLED" LIGHT ALTHOUGH WE SOMETIME NEED TO TAKE SHORT TRIP WITHOUT AIRBAG PROTECTION FOR MY WIFE. I THINK ANOTHER RECALL IS IN ORDER FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AFTER BEING REPAIRED, THE AIRBAG FAILED 4 DAYS LATER. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE AIRBAG WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS CONSIDERED A SMALL ADULT SO, THE AIRBAG DID NOT ACTIVATE. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 17, 2019
WHILE COMING TO A STOP BRAKE PEDAL WILL FADE CAUSING THE PEDAL TO TOUCH THE FLOOR AND FORCING THE DRIVER TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY BRAKES. ALSO WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE AND DE-ACCELERATE CAUSING A 'JERKING' MOTION
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2019
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.
Electrical system, May 22, 2019
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
Engine, May 9, 2019
ENGINE COOLING FAN BROKE AT <60K MILES-RATTLING SO MUCH NEARLY PUNCTURED RADIATOR
Air bags, Apr 6, 2019
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 .
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2019
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2019
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2019
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
Electrical system, Feb 20, 2019
2016 PATHFINDER NISSAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR PART REPLACEMENT THAT WAS CAUSED FROM A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. *AS *TR
Wheels, Feb 18, 2019, crash
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.
Engine, Feb 15, 2019
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 .
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 5, 2019
RADIATOR: NISSIAN PATHFINDER RADIATOR FAIL AFTER OWNING FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THIS IS COVERED UNDER EXTEND WARRANTEE. BUT BASE ON THE PAST RADIATOR RECALL, THE VECHILE RAIDATOR MAY NOT BE UP TO SPECS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2019
THE CAR STARTED MAKING A SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. THE NOISE WOULD STOP WHENEVER I TURNED THE CLIMATE CONTROL OFF. I TOOK IT TO GET CHECK OUT AND IT IS THE COOLING FAN. APPARENTLY THERE ARE TWO FANS. WHILE I PLACED AN ORDER TO REPLACE THE PART, THE OTHER FAN HAS STARTED MAKING THE SAME NOISE. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD WITH 43K MILES. I HAVE HAD OTHER NISSANS FOR MUCH LONGER AND A LOT MORE MILES AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST REVIEW I READ ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. SOMETHING THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED BY NISSAN.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 29, 2019
COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY FAILED ON 1/26/2019 AT 64,XXX MILES. NEW ASSY WAS PURCHASED ON 1/26/2019 FROM TONY SERRA NISSAN IN CULLMAN, AL COSTING $560.29 (PART AND TAX ONLY). I R/R THE ASSY MYSELF, AS I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FIELD, IT TOOK ME JUST SHY OF 2 HOURS TO REPLACE THEM (TIME AND CARE WAS TAKEN). THE SERVICE MANAGER (I FAILED TO ACQUIRE HIS NAME) STATED TO ME ON THE PHONE THAT IT IS A KNOWN/FREQUENT ISSUE. IT WAS A SUDDEN ISSUE, NO NOISES DETECTED ON 1/25/2019. A LIGHT CLICKING DETECTED OUTSIDE ONLY ON 1/26/2019 AT 09:30 HRS, AFTER A <50 MILE ROUND TRIP TO PURCHASE THE PART, EAT, AND GROCERY STORE STOP, ON 1/26/2019 AT 16:00 HRS, A HEAVY KNOCK COULD BE READILY HEARD OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS A 'LOUD ROAR' AND VIBRATIONS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH ALL WINDOWS CLOSED, STATIONARY VEHICLE, AND ENGINE AT IDLE. SYMPTOMS WOULD DISSOLVE WHEN THE A/C WAS DEACTIVATED. ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON TIME, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF BRAKE FLUID CHANGE. VEHICLE IS ALSO REGULARLY CLEANED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2019
VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD WITH 44K MILES. NOTICED THAT WHEN THE AC/HEATER IS ON IT MAKES A VIBRATING/KNOCKING SOUND BY THE FRONT. IT STOPS WHEN IT'S TURNED OFF. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT COOLING FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I'VE HAD OTHER VEHICLES WITH MORE MILEAGE AND NEVER HAD THE FAN REPLACED. VIBRATION/KNOCKING SOUND IS OF AND ON WHEN DRIVING OR STOPPED. STARTED AROUND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS PASSED THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY LIMIT OF 3 YEARS/36K MILES.
Air bags, Jan 10, 2019
WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT GO OFF. MEANING IT DOES NOT DETECT ANYONE SITTING IN THE SEAT.