VehicleVerdict

2015 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 432 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Pathfinder year — the 2015 model ranks #7 of 40 Pathfinder years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (79), transmission (76), and engine (75), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

432

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Pathfinder years?

See all Pathfinder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other7918%
Transmission7618%
Engine7517%
Airbags5413%
Electrical System338%
Speed Control276%
Brakes256%
Body & Structure133%
Fuel System113%
Visibility & Wipers102%
Lighting82%
Tires & Wheels61%
Latches & Locks51%
Seats41%
Steering31%
Suspension20%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V420000Latches & LocksJune 13, 2022 · 322,671 units

Defect

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

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.

21V020000LightingJanuary 20, 2021 · 264,431 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V244000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 units

Defect

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

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.

15V681000AirbagsOctober 20, 2015 · 919 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

15V012000BrakesJanuary 14, 2015 · 893 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this request under my existing Consumer Affairs case number [XXX] regarding my 2015 Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: [XXX] , Plate: [XXX] ). On [insert date], while driving on the freeway, the hood latch failed and caused the hood to suddenly fly up, completely…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 14, 2025 · crash

Complete shutdown of the vehicle while driving down the road. Caused me to go into a ditch. The vehicles lights flashed and then it just shut off. Had the alternator replaced twice also the battery replaced twice and now the nissan dealership has said they don't know what's wrong with it.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 10, 2024 · crash

Complete shutdown of the vehicle while driving down the road. Caused me to go into a ditch. The vehicles lights flashed and then it just shut off. Had the alternator replaced twice also the battery replaced twice and now the nissan dealership has said they don't know what's wrong with it.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 10, 2024 · 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.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 2, 2020 · crash

Complete shutdown of the vehicle while driving down the road. Caused me to go into a ditch. The vehicles lights flashed and then it just shut off. Had the alternator replaced twice also the battery replaced twice and now the nissan dealership has said they don't know what's wrong with it.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 10, 2024 · crash

2015 Nissan Pathfinder — common questions

Is the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 432 complaints put the 2015 model at #7 of 40 Pathfinder years. It is one of the Pathfinder years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Pathfinder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (79 complaints), transmission (76 complaints), engine (75 complaints).

Does the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Pathfinder years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pathfinder years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, 2008, 2015, 2001, 1997, 2017, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2022, 1998, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Pathfinder years belongs to 1986.

How safe is the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.