NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
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.
This page covers 6 recalls, 317 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder.
22–26 mpg combined
9–10.7 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 2015 Nissan Pathfinder draws the bulk of its complaints around the powertrain and engine, with the airbag system also generating notable volume. On the powertrain side, owners frequently report transmission shuddering, jerking, and sudden loss of power while driving, including at highway speeds, often with little or no warning. Some describe the vehicle stalling or shutting off mid-drive. Engine complaints overlap with these symptoms, with owners reporting rough running, hesitation, and unexpected stalling, sometimes accompanied by diagnostic codes that persist even after parts are replaced. The airbag system is the third most-reported area, with a meaningful cluster of complaints about the warning light illuminating unexpectedly or the system appearing to be inactive. A smaller number of owners describe brake lights behaving erratically, staying on when the pedal isn't pressed or failing to illuminate when it is, which shows up as a recurring pattern across multiple reports.
317
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder has 6 recalls, the most serious involving brake calipers that can separate from the wheel assembly, reducing braking performance and steering control, and a secondary hood latch that can fail to secure, allowing the hood to fly open while driving.
Hybrid models face an additional powertrain concern where the hybrid control software can shut down the engine and electric drive system together, cutting power while the vehicle is moving. On the lighting side, the brake light switch relay can stick in the on position, keeping the brake lights lit even when the driver is not slowing down, which can confuse drivers behind and raise the risk of a rear-end collision. There are also two related recalls involving the passenger seat occupant classification sensor: one affects vehicles that received an incorrect sensor unit during a prior repair, and in both cases the underlying risk is the same — if the sensor fails to detect an adult in the front passenger seat, the passenger airbag will not deploy in a crash.
At a glance
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.
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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 →
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 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 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.