RoadVitals

2015 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
75
Latest Mar 3, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
24%
of 319 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 75 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 75, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2026

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 sudden

NHTSA ID
11721655
Incident
Sep 26, 2025
EngineSteering
Filed Jan 21, 2026

1. CODE P0101 not removed after replacing MAF sensor. 2. power steering motor is annoying noise, high pitched sound.

NHTSA ID
11712378
Incident
Nov 22, 2024
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 19, 2024

$4000 worth of work. 4 visits to a local shop. 3 visits to the Nissan dealership, who claims to have replaced cylinders every time. My engine violently shakes even worse. Has cut off midst driving with no power to crank again. 4 batteries & 4 alternator replacements. Barely press on gas pedal and it shakes the whole car, then smells like something rotting.

NHTSA ID
11620736
Incident
Oct 19, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2024

My car jolts/jerks in park as soon as it’s crunk up. Have been to the shop 9 times since June. Last 4 times has been Nissan Dealership, had $3000+ worth of work/replacement done. My engine is still continuing to do the same thing. Nissan said past 2 times that it was ignition coils, because they replace plug wires, but they’ve been replaced 3 times now and still the same issue ? Sounds more like CVT or timing chain issue. No codes were thrown past 2 times either

NHTSA ID
11613755
Incident
Jun 13, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 5, 2024

It begins shaking, jolting and shuddering while driving; started off happening at take off; then progressed to anytime speed was under 35mph; now, it does it often throughout all speeds. Nissan states it needs a new transmission which was quoted to cost $6,600+tax. The vehicle trade-in value is only $5,000ish prior to these symptoms. Vehicle has less than 117,500 miles and all maintenance and fluids have been routinely changed throughout vehicle's lifespan. This CVT issue seems to be ongoing therefore Nissan and other makes should not be allowed to put these into vehicles that are so costly and these transmissions begin to give problems while vehicles are still under warranty. Need assistance in fixing the costly transmission and Nissan should have a discount on this faulty transmissions that they knew had issues. No warning lamps or messages given; symptoms were found when taken in at 117,000 miles and stated transmission needs to be replaced. Warning lamps and signals should have been given to owner to prevent the damage done to transmission. Warning lamps do not show anything wrong with vehicle; however, the jolting, jumping and sputtering is very dangerous during driving and may cause accidents in braking, acceleration and/or heavy traffic flow.

NHTSA ID
11606562
Incident
Aug 5, 2024
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 14, 2024
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11594451
Incident
Jun 10, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 29, 2023

No warning lamps or error codes given on instrument cluster While driving normally the car suddenly would not accelerate almost causing an accident while turning left. The car was driven home on idle. This Happened 2 weeks prior and the battery was replaced to rule out problem and it worked fine for 2 weeks fine . The same problem occurred again and will not accelerate. This is a major safety hazard and I’m looking into legal action for negligence and non helpful Nissan corporation

NHTSA ID
11529662
Incident
Jun 28, 2023
Engine
Filed Aug 22, 2022

When driving, many times while going uphill, the car starts to jerk if I press the gas it jerks more. I have to let go of the gas and then press to go fast for it to stop. At times, it has caused for other cars to rear end or for me to go into another car. The jerkin is becoming a safety hazard for me and I’ve only had the car since July. This is my first Nissan ever and would have never imagined to experience such issues.

NHTSA ID
11480672
Incident
Jul 9, 2022
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 11, 2022

A component is draining my battery. 7/21 New battery installed by Dealer. I'm told that the alternator is good. 7/28 adjustment on brake/starter switch??? Dealer wasn't clear. Said problem was fixed. 8/4 returned the SUV back to local dealer . Now I'm told that the Tow Bar was pulling 4 amps of energy and draining the battery, and that I should return the vehicle back to the place of purchased to have repaired. Our 2015 was purchase brand new with the Tow Bar as part of the accessary package. I have a Nissan Security Plus Extended Warranty. The Tech suggested that the Tow Bar may not have been Factory Installed. In the interim, I have been without transportation for 8 days.

NHTSA ID
11478861
Incident
Jul 20, 2022
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 6, 2022

Brake lights will stay on even when car is parked and not occupied.Skid control coms on when driving and engine power is reduced or in lymph node. Car can be put in drive without depressing the brake switch . Ok Nissan says this is not on recall by vin # but there is an active recall on this model now. Sounds like a good lawsuit to me.Thanks and hope you can help.

NHTSA ID
11477916
Incident
Jul 20, 2022
Engine
Filed Dec 28, 2021

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 CVT Transmission it doesn't shift like normal which is shifting at each short line it races to 3 to 4 then goes down putting more where and tear than norm

NHTSA ID
11445241
Incident
Jun 15, 2020
Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2021

FOR OVER 6 MONTHS MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN SPUTTERING OFF AND ON. JUST RECENTLY, WHEN CRANKING IT UP, IT WOULD BLOW OUT WHITE SMOKE AND SPUTTER EVEN WORSE. WE BOUGHT IT IN MARCH 2020 KNOWING IT WAS SPUTTERING BUT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED IT. NOW IT'S WITH NISSAN WHERE IT'S BEEN FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS. THEY'RE STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THESE ISSUES. I'VE ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR YEAR AND MAKE/ MODEL VEHICLES HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. IF THIS REALLY IS AN ISSUE, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!

NHTSA ID
11404419
Incident
Mar 9, 2021
Mileage
54,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 2, 2021

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A HIGH PITCH SOUND FROM THE RADIATOR. WELL MY CAR IS DOING THIS ISSUE WHERE THE HEAT IS ON AND IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE FROM THAT AREA. COULD IT NOT OF BEEN REPAIRED LIKE IT STATS? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11394279
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 25, 2021

ELECTRICAL ENGINE COOLING FAN FAILURE ASSEMBLY. LOUD GRINDING NOISE ON DRIVER SIDE FAN WHICH IS AN ASSEMBLY OF TWO FANS IN ONE UNIT. WIDELY AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON WEB POINTS TO WHEEL BEARING FAILURE INSIDE THE FAN.

NHTSA ID
11389905
Incident
Jan 25, 2021
Mileage
58,555 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 1, 2020

THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED STALLING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND STUCK AT THE SAME SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHERE THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THE ACCELERATION WOULD NOT WORK ON LOCAL ROADS AS WELL AS THE INTERSTATE THUS CONSIDERABLY SLOWING THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC UPON GETTING IT INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS FAULTY.

NHTSA ID
11377259
Incident
Nov 28, 2020
Mileage
56,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 25, 2020

I JUST PURCHASED THIS SUV USED WITH 84000 MILE WITHIN 24 HR THE CAR STARTS TO DRIVE LIKE I AM RUNNING OVER SPEED BUMP LIKE IT'S NOT PULLING OR SOMETHING KIND OF HARD TO EXPLAIN THE GAUGES BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH WHEN IT HAPPENS IT'S TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED BUT STALLING IT'S CLEARLY THE CVT ISSUE IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND JUST RIDING THROUGH TOWN IT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER NOT WANTING TO THE SAME SPEED I WAS AT

NHTSA ID
11376290
Incident
Nov 24, 2020
Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2020

THE ENGINE COOLING FAN PART NUMBER 21481-3JA2E HAS FAILED TWICE IN THIS VEHICLE. FIRST TIME AT 50,529 MILES AND AGAIN AT 106,370

NHTSA ID
11365760
Incident
Oct 8, 2020
Mileage
50,529 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 14, 2020

MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 28000 MILES AND I HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
11364341
Incident
Oct 12, 2020
Mileage
27,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2020

NOTICED THAT A LOUD CLACKING/CLUNKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD. NOISE SEEMED TO ONLY BE APPARENT WHEN A/C IS TURNED ON. IT SEEMS THAT THE COOLING FAN IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11330047
Incident
May 15, 2020
Mileage
34,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2020

NOTICED THAT A LOUD CLACKING/CLUNKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE HOOD WHEN I PULLED INTO GARAGE. NOISE SEEMED TO ONLY BE APPARENT WHEN A/C TURNED ON. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS DEFECTIVE. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS. THE NISSAN PATHFINDER NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND HAVE THE COOLING SYSTEMS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328107
Incident
Jun 3, 2020
Mileage
61,200 mi
Engine
Filed May 10, 2020

NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FROM FAN ASSEMBLY AS A/C IS PUT ON. NOISE GOES AWAY AS CLIMATE CONTROL IS TURNED OFF. READING MULTIPLE FORUM THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON NISSAN PATHFINDER (2013-2017). OEM PART COST $513 AND REPLACEMENT AT DEALER FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE OUT OF WARRANTY COST $1000 OR MORE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BY THE MANUFACTURER TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. REPLACING FAN ASSEMBLY IS NOT TRIVIAL FOR CONSUMERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324060
Incident
May 10, 2020
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LYNNES NISSAN CITY (318 BLOOMFIELD AVE, BLOOMFIELD, NJ 07003), WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,400.

NHTSA ID
11323182
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Mileage
47,400 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 24, 2020

LOAD CLUNKING BEHIND RADIATOR ON PASSENGER (RH) SIDE. FAULT TREE ANALYSIS REVEALED ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR FAN BLADE ASSY. FAN BLADE MECHANICAL STRUCTURE/BEARING FAILURE

NHTSA ID
11301569
Incident
Jan 21, 2020
Mileage
70,300 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 8, 2020

WHENEVER I TURNED ON THE A/C OR HEATER, THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS STATIONARY AT A STOP LIGHT. I TURNED OFF THE A/C WHICH THE NOISE WENT AWAY. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE TO GET IT CHECKED OUT, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLANT FAN AND SHROUD WAS GOING BAD; THEREFORE, IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,100 TO REPLACE. I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT KEPT KICKING ON THAT IT COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK OFF AND HIT THE RADIATOR WHICH WOULD DO MORE DAMAGE. I CALLED DEALERSHIP CLOSE TO WHERE I WORK, AND ASKED ABOUT IT. I WAS INFORMED THAT HE REPLACED MORE THAN A COUPLE OF THEM THIS PAST YEAR, AND TOLD ME HE COULD TAKE CARE OF IT FOR APPROXIMATELY $900. AFTER GETTING HOME, I DID SOME RESEARCH WHICH SEEMS THAT IT HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN PATHFINDERS MADE BETWEEN 2013-2017. IT SEEMS NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM; HOWEVER, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS. TODAY, I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHICH SHE SUGGESTED I FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. AGAIN, IT SEEMS NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT TAKING THE STEPS TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION. IT'S COSTING CONSUMERS ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I'VE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAD IT REPLACED. ALSO, I ATTACHED JUST ONE OF THE WEBSITES THAT I CAME ACROSS THAT ADDRESSES MY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
11297867
Incident
Jan 7, 2020
Mileage
114,954 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 6, 2020

MY 2015, IS AT 54K MILES AND IT STARTING MAKE NOISE AND HAD IT CHECKED IT'S THE COOLING SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. MY FRIEND HAS A 2017 AND SHE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH NISSAN.

NHTSA ID
11297329
Incident
Dec 15, 2019

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .