IllustrationTHE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHEN A ADULT IS SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THEIR SEATBELT ON. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE SERVICE CENTER AT NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THE COMPUTER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO! I HAVE NUMEROUS VIDEOS OF THE SEAT OCCUPIED AND THE LIGHT ON!
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Pathfinder years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
560–25K
6825–50K
5550–75K
2275–100K
14100–150K
6150K+
221 reports with mileage · 99 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
55 reportsPURCHASED A 2015 PATHFINDER SL IN MAY 2015 TO REPLACE THE 2014 PATHFINDER SL WE HAD. THE DEALER RETURNED THE 2014 FOR US FOR THE SAME ISSUE WE'RE EXPERIENCING WITH THE 2015. IN LATE JUNE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WOULD NOT ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT BEFORE THE CAR WOULD START. OUR RESOLUTIO…
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PURCHASED A 2015 PATHFINDER SL IN MAY 2015 TO REPLACE THE 2014 PATHFINDER SL WE HAD. THE DEALER RETURNED THE 2014 FOR US FOR THE SAME ISSUE WE'RE EXPERIENCING WITH THE 2015. IN LATE JUNE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WOULD NOT ENGAGE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT BEFORE THE CAR WOULD START. OUR RESOLUTION WAS TO WAIT TO SIT IN THE SEAT UNTIL THE CAR WAS STARTED. THIS WORKED UNTIL THE END OF JULY WHEN THE AIR BAG WOULD DISENGAGE WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND A CODE, CLEARED IT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH MANY VIDEOS TO SHOW THE ISSUE. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER IN AUGUST. DEALER COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE BUT BECAUSE WE HAD VIDEOS, UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A REAL ISSUE AND PERFORMED A "ZERO POINT OCS REPROGRAM" AND SERVICE TECH HOPED IT WOULD "DO THE TRICK". IT DIDN'T AND THE PROBLEM ESCALATED. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER AND CAR IS STILL THERE. DEALERSHIP AGAIN COULD NOT "RECREATE" THE ISSUE AND WANTED TO GIVE US THE CAR BACK. WE REFUSED BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER FINALLY AGREED TO GET NISSAN INVOLVED. STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK. WE ALSO CALLED NISSAN AND OPENED A CASE FILE AND WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM NISSAN TOO.
PURCHASED IN MAY 2015. WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY IF PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN CAR BEFORE STARTED. I JUST HAD THE PASSENGER WAIT UNTIL CAR WAS STARTED TO SIT. IN JULY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING INTERMITTENTLY WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. SERVICED I…
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PURCHASED IN MAY 2015. WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, AIRBAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY IF PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN CAR BEFORE STARTED. I JUST HAD THE PASSENGER WAIT UNTIL CAR WAS STARTED TO SIT. IN JULY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING INTERMITTENTLY WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. SERVICED IT AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST AND THEY SAID THEY FOUND A CODE AND CLEARED IT. PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES. SERVICED IT AT THE DEALER AGAIN IN JULY. MECHANIC PERFORMED A ZERO POINT OCS REPROGRAM. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED. PROBLEM CONTINUED. CHECKED IT IN FOR SERVICE IN OCTOBER. DEALER TRYING TO SAY THE PERSON IN THE SEAT IS TOO LIGHT. IT'S HAPPENED TO ADULTS THAT WEIGH OVER 150 AND MANY TIMES TO MY DAUGHTER WHO WEIGHS AT LEAST 110. THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM ANYWAY SINCE THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THE MINIMUM WEIGHT IS 70 POUNDS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. DEALER WANTS TO GIVE US THE CAR BACK. WE REFUSED BECAUSE IT'S NOT SAFE. WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALER. THIS SAME DEALERSHIP TOOK BACK OUR 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE TOO! I HAVE MANY VIDEOS OF THE PROBLEM.
WE WERE DRIVING THE PATHFINDER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE PASSENGER'S WEIGHT IS 165 POUNDS AND APPROXIMATELY 5'6" TALL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY4 MINUTES AND ONLY WENT OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS OFF - AS IT…
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WE WERE DRIVING THE PATHFINDER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE PASSENGER'S WEIGHT IS 165 POUNDS AND APPROXIMATELY 5'6" TALL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY4 MINUTES AND ONLY WENT OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS OFF - AS IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS THE SECOND NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. OUR 2013 PATHFINDER WAS RE-PURCHASED BY NISSAN FOR THIS EXACT REASON....UPDATED 12/07/15 *BF *CN
DRIVING DOWN ON FLORIDA HIGHWAY I-75 . AHEAD WAS A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT WITH DEBRIS IN THE ROAD. REDUCED SPEED TO TRY TO AVOID MOST OF THE DEBRIS THAT WAS SCATTERED ALONG THE 4 LANES. I HAPPEN TO GET A PIECE OF DEBRIS IMPACTING FRONT TIRE AND HAVING IT GO UNDERNEATH MY CAR. AS THIS OCCURRED THE ECU MUST HAVE SOMEHOW DETECTED A SIDE…
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DRIVING DOWN ON FLORIDA HIGHWAY I-75 . AHEAD WAS A PREVIOUS ACCIDENT WITH DEBRIS IN THE ROAD. REDUCED SPEED TO TRY TO AVOID MOST OF THE DEBRIS THAT WAS SCATTERED ALONG THE 4 LANES. I HAPPEN TO GET A PIECE OF DEBRIS IMPACTING FRONT TIRE AND HAVING IT GO UNDERNEATH MY CAR. AS THIS OCCURRED THE ECU MUST HAVE SOMEHOW DETECTED A SIDE COLLISION BUT THERE WAS NONE THAT OCCURRED AND DEPLOYED ALL SIDE AIRBAGS REMOVING MOST OF THE HEADLINER.
Official recalls
522V420000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Jun 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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
21V020000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Jan 20, 2021
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 & remedy
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.
16V244000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Apr 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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
15V681000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Oct 20, 2015
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
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.
Air Bags:frontal
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.
15V012000 · Service Brakes
Jan 14, 2015
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE21022 · Hood Latch/bell Crank Assembly
Opened Dec 9, 2021 · Closed Jul 8, 2022
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate consumer complaints alleging hood latch failures occurring on certain model year (MY) 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. Complaints received indicated a sudden and unexpected opening of the hood while the vehicle was in motion, blocking the driver's visibility.During this investigation Nissan collected parts from the field to analyze for root cause of the alleged failures. On June 13, 2022, Nissan submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a hood bell crank assembly defect in certain MY2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles produced at the Smyrna, TN plant. According to Nissan's DIR, an accumulation of dust and dirt contamination on and around the bell crank lever pivot joint, which actuates the secondary hood latch, can create a condition that can cause the lever to remain in the open position after it has been disengaged. In this condition, the secondary hood latch may not hold the hood closed as designed while the vehicle is in motion obstructing the driver's forward view and increasing the risk of a crash.A remedy plan for all affected vehicles is currently under development. See recall action 22V-420 for further details. Nissan's action resolves the issues raised by this investigation, and therefore, this investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be found with ID numbers: 11456378, 11448298, 11436637, 11431131, 11427702, 11423321, 11406574, 11398825, 11389741, 11387952, 11375938, 11349105,11306735, 11302647, 11190468, 11166607.