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 3, 2019
LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING IN PARK. AFTER RESEARCHING IT, I FOUND OUT THAT IS THE FAN HITTING THE SHROUD AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE PART IS ANYWHERE FROM $200-600 AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE LABOR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW, ALWAYS KEPT UP ON THE MAINTENANCE AND OF COURSE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT LAST WEEK AND NOW THIS HAPPENS. :(
Engine, Jan 2, 2019
ENGINE FAN BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISE AT 74K MILES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FAN. A QUICK SEARCH UNCOVERED COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME VEHICLE.
Steering, Dec 27, 2018
LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. ALL RESEARCH SUGGEST NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUES AND SAYS IT IS NORMAL.
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2018
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T WANT TO GO UP OR DOWN WHEN IT'S COLD, SOMETIMES STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER, HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON LINE CONCERNING MOTOR IN DOOR. HAPPENS WHEN STATIONER OR IN MOTION
Engine, Dec 10, 2018
OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER 2016 WAS SUDDENLY MAKING LOUD NOISE WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT (ENGINE AREA). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT REPLACEMENT OF FAN SHROUD IS NECESSARY AND THAT'S EXPENSIVE. WE SEND CAR FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO!! THE MILES ON MY CAR IS ABOVE 50000 AND THAT'S WHEN I CAME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM IN ANY OF MY CARS SO FAR. THIS IS SOMETHING TO DO FROM THE MANUFACTURING SIDE.
Air bags, Dec 6, 2018
UPON STARTING THE IGNITION, AIR BAG OCS INDICATOR SHOWS BOTH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS NOT WORKING. INDICATION LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE VEHICLE IS BOTH STATIONARY AND WHILE IN MOTION.
Engine, Nov 28, 2018
AT 48,800 MILES RADIATOR FAN FAILED. AS WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT NISSAN DEALER, A MOUNTING PART FAILED AND CAUSED THE FAN TO RUB AGAINST THE SHROUD WHEN IN OPERATION. MANY REPORTS OF FAILURE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES FOR MODEL YEARS 2014 -2016, MOST OCCURRING IN THE 50,000 MILE RANGE.
Engine, Nov 22, 2018
RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS INDICATED BY SEVERAL PATHFINDER OWNERS FROM 2014 UP TO THE PRESENT.
Service brakes, Oct 15, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BODY REPAIRS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SHEEHY NISSAN OF GLEN BURNIE (LOCATED AT 7232 RITCHIE HWY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061, (410) 754-1777), BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 32615475. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Service brakes, Aug 3, 2018
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR STARTED TO MOVE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK OR CLICK IN. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHEN PLACING IT IN NEUTRAL EITHER. MY CAR WOULD ONLY STOP AFTER PLACING IT IN PARK. LUCKILY NO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. MY BRAKE PADS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE, BRAKE FLUID IS FULL. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND THEY CAN ALSO FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS IS WORRISOME AS THIS CAN BE FATAL IF I WAS DRIVING AT A FAST SPEED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN DEATH OF OTHER NISSAN MODELS.
Steering, Jul 29, 2018
STEERING BECAME STIFF WHILE DRIVIVINF AND CAR SEEMS TO PULL ON OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE TURN. DEALER NOTES STEERING PUMP LEAK.
Visibility, Equipment, Jun 28, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GREAT NECK NISSAN (250 NORTHERN BLVD, GREAT NECK, NY 11021) WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS REPAIRED BECAUSE HOT AIR WAS FLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER (KOEPPEL NISSAN, 74-15 NORTHERN BLVD, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372) BECAUSE THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT FREON HAD LEAKED OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,308.
Service brakes, Apr 24, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM HOME. MY HUSBAND CHECKED AND IT WAS OUT OF BRAKE FLUID. HE ADDED FLUID SO I COULD GET TO THE DEALER, APPROX. 35 MILES AWAY. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND THAT IT PROBABLY WAS NOT OUT OF BRAKE FLUID. IT WAS.
Steering, Wheels, Apr 18, 2018, crash
STEERING WHEEL GOT STUCK AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT
Engine, Other/unknown, Apr 10, 2018, crash
I DROVE UP TO 16,000 MILES AND THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY MADE A WEIRD SOUND. I WENT TO 2 NISSAN DEALERSHIPS TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT SAID IT WAS NORMAL FOR 2016 PATHFINDER.BUT WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES IT WILL CAUSE A HUMMING NOISE LIKE A BEE AND ITS REALLY ANNOYING, I WENT TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT SAID IT WAS NORMAL, WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2018
THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED TODAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS IN THE REAR SEATS. THIS WAS ON A FLAT ROAD SURFACE NO BUMPS OR POT HOLES.
Engine, Apr 3, 2018
THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD ASSEMBLY AND I CANNOT FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS AT ANY DEALER, AUTO PARTS STORE NOR JUNK YARD DUE TO SO MANY PEOPLE NEEDING THESE PARTS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ON BACKORDER AND DONT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE CAR COULD OVERHEAT AND STALL IF THESE PARTS ARE NOT REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 28, 2018, crash
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RESULTED IN LOSS OF RPM AND BRAKES. COULD NOT SHUT OFF.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2018
SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOR NO REASON AND NISSAN IS NOT WANTING TO REPAIR DUE TO BEING OUT OF MILEAGE WARRANTY
Power train, Jan 9, 2018
VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FOR LONGER THAN 4 MINUTES AT A TIME WITHOUT DISENGAGING. VEHICLE PURCHASED IN JULY 2017 AND USING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE PURCHASE.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2017
RECALL
Visibility/wiper, Nov 2, 2017
ACID RAIN ETCHING ON THE WINDSHIELD SEVERELY IMPAIRS VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE SUN IN MORNINGS AND AFTERNOON. THE SAME WAS TRUE FOR A 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER I OWNED, BUT OTHER BRANDS I HAVE OWNED, INCLUDING A 2007 TOYOTA TUNDRA I CURRENTLY OWN, WERE AND ARE NOT AFFECTED BY ACID RAIN. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE UNIQUE TO NISSAN GLASS. TODAY, WHILE DRIVING TOWARD THE SETTING SUN, I NARROWLY MISSED A PEDESTRIAN ON A RURAL ROAD. I HAVE FILED TWO COMPLAINT REPORTS WITH NISSAN, INCLUDING ONE FOLLOWING THE NEAR-MISS TODAY. THE FIRST ONE WAS FILED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, BUT NISSAN HAS NOT RESPONDED. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, NISSAN HAS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH GLASS THAT IS HYPERSENSITIVE TO ACID RAIN. AND SINCE NO OTHER VEHICLE BRANDS SEEMS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM, I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2017
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND IF YOU OPEN THE TRUNK VIA KEY OR BUTTON THE TRUNK DOOR WILL CLOSE BY ITSELF AFTER IT REACHES THE TOP . IF NOT PAID ATTENTION MAY CAUSE HEAD INJURIES.TOOK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED A PART BUT THE FIX ONLY STAYED FOR 2- 3 MONTHS. THE CAR TRUNK IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD AND NISSAN IS JUST APPLYING PATCHES TO THE PROBLEM BUT NOT DOING A PERMANENT FIX.
Air bags, Oct 23, 2017
NHTSA RECALL 16V-244 HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF CORRECTIVE PARTS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT. THE RECALL DATES FROM 24MAY2016. ABOUT 15-20% OF THE TIME ADULT PASSENGERS ARE PRESENT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE OCS SYSTEM HAS DEACTIVATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. HOW MUCH LONGER WILL NISSAN BE ALLOWED TO AVOID CORRECTIVE ACTION WHILE PASSENGERS IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE EXPOSED TO GREATER THAN NECESSARY RISK OF INJURY?
Air bags, Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 162440000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.