One of the worst Pathfinder years
Owners filed about 3.0 times as many complaints as a typical Pathfinder year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 42,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012 and 2020.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Pathfinder years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 321 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (77, 24% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the air bags. That ranks 3rd of 12 Pathfinder years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
77 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that a family member had driven the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 81,954 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and vibrated, causing the steering wheel to lock up. The contact used force to maneuver the steering wheel. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. A…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
75 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving at a rate of 20mph +, the pathfinder will start jerking back and forth then turn off. This happened in the middle of a highway lane. Good thing no one was hurt. This was also suddenOwner complaint, filed 2026
cvt transmission is the worse my vehicle stopped on me on the highway coming from miami to orlando no warning nothing just stopped, the vehicle goes faster than it actually says with my children the only direction it could go into is reverse late at night it was so scary. I know if I could change my vehicle I would for a vehicle without…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Air bags
55 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 13,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the front driver’s side curtain air bag deployed without impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact slowed down and veered over to the side of the road to park and inspect the vehicle. The Fire Department and the local EMT was contacted…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the passenger's side air bag. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 94,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
33 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
Back brake lights stay on. Seems like brakes are stuck as I can start my car without pressing the brakes and can get it out of the park position without having to push the brakes. I had to disconnect my battery to keep it from being drained. The was a recall back in 2021. I contacted Nissan and they said the issue was fixed. The will not…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The vehicle stops accelerating while driving. No matter how much you press the gas is doesn't go. We have found out that we must press the brake down nearly all the way and then press the gas. This is dangerous especially in a big city. There is no pattern it does it while getting on/off exits and while driving on residential roads as…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 54,000 miles
Electrical system
27 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving the back gate open warning showed on the dashboard and the dome lights turned on and the doors unlocked by it self this happened several times.Owner complaint, filed 2023
At random times, when the rear, power, lift gate is opened, it reaches the point of being fully opened, and then closes on it's own. This creates a significant safety hazard because if you are reaching into the rear cargo area, the lift gate comes down on your head, neck, or back. This has been a problem since the car was purchased new…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 47,756 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
27 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving my Pathfinder, the transmission hesitated, jerked, and spuddered while trying to merge into traffic. Almost caused a severe accident. This was not the first time this has happened and Nissan refuses to do anything about the CVT transmission that apparently has been recalled in the past as well as had lawsuits against it.…Owner complaint, filed 2024
On multiple occasions (at least 6 - twice within 10 minutes of each other), when turning after slowing down or being at a complete stop, the car seems to lose power. It will not accelerate unless your foot is taken off the gas pedal and the gas pedal is pressed down again. It a a safety concern because there has been oncoming traffic…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 112,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
18 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (11).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood unexpectedly opened and was damaged. The hood ledge and structure were damaged due to the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V420000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The dealer was contacted…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: TBD (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), Manufacturer Recall Campaign: R24C6; however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Lights, wipers and visibility
18 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the rear brake lights failed to illuminate when the vehicle was parked. The contact depressed the brake pedal to disengage the brake lights. While driving at various speeds, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The dealer was contacted and…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 115,000 miles
Headlamps on 2015 Nissan Pathfinder delaminating making plastic on headlamps foggy with issue getting worse by the day. Safety issue that Nissan will not assume responsibility for, even though they had similar recall for years of other model car in 2015. Reference TSB No. 03-074H. Dealership at Surf city Nissan has been zero help. I am…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Fuel system
11 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Sudden loss of acceleration when fuel level is low, particularly when starting a turn or starting to cross a street from a stop, if the vehicle does not accelerate then an accident may happen. The vehicle computer reports a problem with emissions yet replacing the fuel pump made it go away.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 130,000 miles
I was driving vehicle and was at light to enter freeway went to accelerate and nothing happened but car would rev normal in park pulled over in traffic and almost got in a wreck with family in side is very unsafeOwner complaint, filed 2024
Seats and seat belts
5 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat warmer stopped functioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the contact was informed that the harness connector on the climate-controlled seat control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 104,000 miles
The bolt holding the seat in place on the drives side broke leaving the seat able to shift a couple of degrees. There was no accident it just broke off as I breaked. It was not a hard break just standard stop and go. The result was that I leander forward a bit. As a driver of a moving vehicle this was not goodOwner complaint, filed 2021, at 45,000 miles
Wheels and tires
5 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front passenger’s side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the hub bolts had sheared off and the rotors, front brakes, fender, door, hood, and wheel well needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 90,909 miles
Vehicle purchased new 3/2016, less than 15,000 miles (hwy). 12/1/2016 while driving on hwy, rear passenger tire sidewall shredded and macerated. Since buying car, have had frequent "low pressure" readings on all tires randomly without any definite cause that mechanics noted (tires were not removed). The 1 tire was replaced at our…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 10,700 miles
Steering
3 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2015 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering unit needed to be replaced. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 88,000 miles
Power steering stopped working while driving on the street and highway. Dealer service department cited loose wiring as the cause. Third occurrence within 2 years.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 8,070 miles
Suspension
2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
The control arm detached from the front subframe due to massive rust on a car that was well cared for and only 10 years old. This happened as we were driving: the front passenger-side wheel became loose and began flopping back and forth, forcing me to immediately pull over into a gas station. I do not want to imagine what would have…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Lugnuts completely fell off, stem broke, and wheel flew up into wheel well causing a potentially dangerous accident at 60 MPH on a major interstate with no pull off due to not being able to move car and major damage to car. Second time in car history has had lugnuts fall off and break stems.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 80,000 miles
Nissan Pathfinder complaints by year
Compare the 2015 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2015 midsize SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Nissan Pathfinder | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2015 Toyota Highlander | About average | 2 |
| 2015 Honda Pilot | One of the better years | 4 |
| 2015 Ford Explorer | About average | 9 |
2015 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
Doors, hood and latches
- Risk
- An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the bell crank assembly, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Lights Switch
- Risk
- Continual illumination of the brake lights can prevent other drivers from realizing the vehicle is actually slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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…
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Occupant classification
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify their owners.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags
- Risk
- If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and tighten any loose bolts to the proper specification, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2015 Nissan Pathfinder questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most reported problem areas on the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder are the transmission and drivetrain (77 complaints), the engine and cooling (75 complaints) and the air bags (55 complaints).
Is the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder a good year to buy?
One of the worst Pathfinder years. Owners filed about 3.0 times as many complaints as a typical Pathfinder year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 42,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2012 and 2020. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Pathfinder years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The most recent, from Jun 2022, covers the doors, hood and latches. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2015 Nissan Pathfinder problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 42,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 49,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Nissan Pathfinder years should I avoid?
The Pathfinder years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2013, 2014 and 2015. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2012 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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