NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 13 recalls, 577 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder.
21–26 mpg combined
9–11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant pattern in 2014 Pathfinder complaints centers on the powertrain, which draws the largest share of reports by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe CVT transmission failures, with common symptoms including sudden loss of drive, shuddering or jolting during acceleration, and the vehicle becoming unable to move in either drive or reverse. Several owners report the check engine light appearing only after the transmission has already stopped functioning. Some describe finding metal shavings in the fluid or fluid that had turned black, suggesting internal wear. Airbags are the second most-reported system, with a notable complaint volume. A separate thread involves structural corrosion, with some owners reporting rear trailing arm mounts rusting through and separating from the subframe, though that pattern appears in fewer reports than the transmission concerns.
577
Total Complaints
19
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Nissan Pathfinder has 13 recalls, the most serious involving the hood latch failing to hold the hood closed while driving, a brake caliper that can separate from the wheel, and a right-side wheel that can lose a lug nut and detach.
The hood issue appears in two separate filings covering different production periods, but both describe the secondary latch failing to secure the hood, which can fly open and block the driver's view. On the brake and wheel side, front hub assembly bolts that were not tightened to specification can allow the brake caliper to break free, reducing braking and stability; a related issue involves a single lug nut on the right-side wheels that may be loose, which can cause the remaining lug nuts to loosen and the wheel to separate. Hybrid models have an additional concern: a software fault in the hybrid powertrain control module can shut the engine and hybrid system down without warning, cutting drive power. There are also several airbag-related issues: on vehicles with almond-colored interiors, the passenger airbag door in the dashboard was cut incorrectly and may not deploy properly in a crash, and a passenger seat sensor that misidentifies an adult occupant can deactivate the passenger airbag entirely. The brake light switch can stick in the on position, keeping the brake lights lit even when braking is not occurring, and a separate brake light switch filing notes that incorrect installation can interfere with normal acceleration.
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may fail to secure properly and remain unlatched even when the hood is closed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hybrid powertrain control module software may shut down the hybrid system and engine under certain conditions, cutting off drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the hybrid powertrain control module software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake light switch location causes its relay to repeatedly open and close. Over time, the relay can stick in the ON position, keeping brake lights on even when brakes aren't applied. This may also disable the brake-shift interlock, allowing the vehicle to shift out of Park without pressing the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake light switch and re-position it or swap it with the ASCD switch as needed. The brake light relay will be replaced with a new one. All repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake light switch may be installed incorrectly, causing the relay to make intermittent contact and cycle repeatedly. This can leave brake lights on even when brakes aren't applied, and may allow shifting out of Park without pressing the brake pedal.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake light switch and replace the relay as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The occupant classification system control unit may incorrectly identify the front passenger seat as empty when an adult is sitting in it.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the occupant classification system software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front hub assembly bolts may not be tightened to the correct specification. If they loosen, the brake caliper could separate from the wheel hub, reducing braking performance and vehicle stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the bolts and tighten them to the proper specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood release cable may be installed at an incorrect angle, preventing the latch from fully engaging. The hood's secondary latch could remain open even when the hood is closed.
What the fix does
Dealers will adjust the hood release mechanism angle to add cable length, ensuring proper latch engagement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Front wheel hub assembly bolts may not have been tightened properly during manufacturing, potentially becoming loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front wheel hub bolts and tighten them to the correct specification at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right side wheels may have one lug nut each that was not properly tightened during manufacturing.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the right side wheels and tighten any loose lug nuts to the correct specification at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During light braking on rough roads, the antilock brake system software may cause the brakes to require a longer distance to stop the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the antilock brake system software at no cost to restore normal braking performance.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The dashboard has a manufacturing defect that can prevent the passenger side airbag from deploying properly in a crash, increasing injury risk to front passengers.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace your dashboard with a corrected part.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag instrument panel has an incorrectly cut tear seam on its back side, which may prevent the air bag from deploying properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the instrument panel assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
