RoadVitals

2017 Nissan Pathfinder Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
27
Latest Aug 30, 2025
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.
15%
of 184 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.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 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 electrical

The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 30, 2025

As I was driving my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed and the gas pedal became stuck. I tried to press on the brake as much as possible but the vehicle was not successfully able to be stopped which caused a terrible motor vehicle accident.

NHTSA ID
11684133
Incident
Aug 30, 2025
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 9, 2025

Nissan Pathfinder vehicles to repair the CVT transmission fluid cooler hose (inter-cooler). The internal fluid cooler (ITOC) hose may detach from the cooler due to inadequate clamping force. Inter-coolers may overheat, fail operation causing leaks and possible fires. If this occurs, the CVT transmission fluid will begin to slowly leak and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate on the instrument panel. If the MIL is ignored, the CVT transmission fluid will drain further, resulting in noise, vibration and possible fire. If this is ignored, eventually the CVT transmission will no longer operate properly and the The vehicle will stop accelerating, which could increase the risk of a crash and endangerment. Rear hatch on some 2017 Nissan Pathfinders. Specifically, some brackets used to attach the gas struts to the rear door (hatch) may be improperly made, potentially causing the struts to detach from the brackets when opening or closing the door. This could cause the hatch to fall rapidly, potentially striking someone. Identified as 18V-601, that includes the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder for a potential issue where the lift-gate (back hatch) may not lock properly, this will allow lift-gate to open while driving, not lock securely, potentially allowing someone to fall out of moving vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11672186
Incident
Jul 1, 2025
Electrical
Filed Jan 7, 2025

The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the instrument panel and the infotainment system were inoperable, and the screen was black. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving, and the contact's daughter was unable to control the side view mirrors. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the display control unit, Part Number: 25391-9PJ0C had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID
11634532
Incident
Nov 7, 2024
Mileage
89,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Sep 3, 2024

AC Auto Amp failed and no cold or hot air is coming out of the vents. Nissan has identified the problem in May 2024 and as of September 2024 they still have not sourced a part that can be used to repair the issue. Safety was put at risk in two ways. First the windshield defroster and defogger do not work. When fog begins to appear on the windshield it affects visibility and has to be wiped off manually while driving. In summer months the temperature of the cabin is excessively hot which can be unsafe over long drives. Nissan has provided no ETA for being able to fix this and the cold NorthEast winter months are coming where it will get dangerously cold. This can be unsafe over long drives in sub freezing temps.

NHTSA ID
11612349
Incident
May 1, 2024
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 23, 2024

While driving and going down the highway my vehicles HUD and all electronics inside the vehicle will just randomly kick out momentarily for not no more the 30seconds, but the head lights stay one and the car still runs. It kicks the cruise control off and this just started happening.

NHTSA ID
11584828
Incident
Apr 14, 2024
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Mar 11, 2023

Wire connector harness on alternator wires malfunctioned causing incorrect readings to computer, causing alternator to fail and battery replaced four times till mechanic replaced wire connector harness an wires.. control arm, and CV Axle failed

NHTSA ID
11511288
Incident
Dec 17, 2022
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 28, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. Due to the failure, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle at a low rate of speed. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Due to the snowy weather, the contact was advised by the police that both drivers pull off to the nearest exit and exchange information. A Police report was not filed. No medical assistance was required; however, the contact did sustain mental trauma due to the sudden failure. After the contact exchanged information with the other driver, the failure occurred two more time before she reached her destination. The contact stated that the low battery warning light appeared on the instrument panel after the second failure and the traction control warning light appeared after the third failure. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was informed that she had called after business hours. The vehicle was taken to a body shop where it remained in their possession for an inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,700.

NHTSA ID
11509578
Incident
Feb 26, 2023
Mileage
52,700 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2022

Cooling fan bearing rattling before it goes out and causes a vehicle to catch fire or overheat

NHTSA ID
11476421
Incident
Jun 15, 2022
Electrical
Filed May 30, 2021

Unavailable front radar obstruction,just bought my car last year July,owed so much money to having this kind of problem already,dealer said everything was check out perfectly but I think they lie to me

NHTSA ID
11419056
Incident
Mar 20, 2021
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2021

I HAVE A 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER JUST REACHED 58, 888 MI AND MY HEATER AC FANS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE DEALER CHARGES ROUGHLY $1,000 FOR REPAIR THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND THE CONSUMER SHOULDN'T BE HELD LIABLE NISSAN NEEDS PUT OUT A BULLETIN RECALL FOR THIS AS MANY OTHER CONSUMERS HAS COMPLAINED ON THIS FORUMS AND OTHER FORUMS IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I TURN ON HEATER CONTROL OR AC CONTROL OR DEFROST I HEARD THE SOUND BEFORE A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT WENT AWAY NOW IT'S THERE PERMANENTLY

NHTSA ID
11402701
Incident
Mar 7, 2021
Mileage
58,888 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 1, 2021

ENGINE COOLANT AND A/C FAN RATTLING THE FAN ON THE A/C SIDE FAN BLADE IS LOOSE

NHTSA ID
11398429
Incident
Feb 5, 2021
Mileage
15,240 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 4, 2021

READING FORUMS AND DOING RESEARCH HAS BROUGHT ME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT NISAN IS BUYING AND HAS BEEN BUYING FAULTY RADIATOR FANS FOR YEARS. MY WIFE DOES NOTHING BUT DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK, AVERAGING AROUND 10K MILES A YEAR ON HER PATHFINDER UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND WE ARE BEING ASKED TO REPLACE A FAN THAT HAS MYSTERIOUSLY JUST STARTED MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISE. NOT ONLY IS THIS A PROBLEM BUT IT'S CAUSING CONSUMERS TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $1000 TO REPLACE THIS. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND A PATHFINDER FORUM WITH WELL OVER 450 RESULTS RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM ONLY. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER NORMAL DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY SO THIS IS COMING OUT OF CONSUMER POCKETS. THIS ISN'T FAIR TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO. WHY WOULD THIS FAN JUST GO OUT FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN IT'S A FAULTY FAN WITH POOR WORKMANSHIP ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCT. NISSAN DEALERSHIPS ARE MAKING A KILLING, $400 TO $600 JUST IN LABOR WITH ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. IF YOU ALL GO TO PATHFINDERTALK.COM AND SEARCH RADIATOR FAN, YOU WILL FIND ALL OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FANS. IT'S FAULTY, IT'S DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TO FLIP THE BILL FOR THIS IN THE FUTURE AND MAYBE THEY WILL THINK ABOUT THIS BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO BUY CHEAP MATERIALS AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11394633
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Mileage
59,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 29, 2020

LOUD NOISE STARTED WHEN ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND ON IDLE. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RADIATOR BLADE HITTING SOMETHING. WHAT OR WHY THIS HAPPENED THE LOCAL DEALER HAS NO CLUE OR EXPLANATION OTHER THEN "IT JUST HAPPENS ON SOME NISSANS" THE COST TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR FAN AND SHROUD IS ABOUT US$1000 ON A CAR THAT IS 39 MTHS OLD! SEEMS THIS HAPPENS TO ENOUGH NISSANS THAT THE DEALER HAS SEEN IT VARIOUS TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11385507
Incident
Dec 28, 2020
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 24, 2020

RATTLE NOISE UNDER HOOD . FOUND FAN FOR A/C COOLANT BEARING FAILURE FAN BLADE WOBBLE NOISE STARTED WHILE DRIVING TO THE MARKET.

NHTSA ID
11384819
Incident
Dec 21, 2020
Mileage
15,102 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 13, 2020

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET, ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR STARTED TO SLOWDOWN AND SHOWED LOW BATTERY SIGN AND GOT STOPPED/TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ID
11383226
Incident
Dec 13, 2020
Mileage
29,176 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 10, 2020

2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, NO CONTROL OF ACCELERATION OR BREAKS AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.

NHTSA ID
11363710
Incident
Oct 9, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 12, 2020

COOLING FANS FAIL WITH ONLY 44K LIKE SO MANY I BEEN READ,NISSAN SHOULD MAKE A RECALL THIS IS REALLY COMUN PEOPLE STATE IN THIS MODEL.

NHTSA ID
11354558
Incident
Sep 11, 2020
Mileage
44,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 10, 2020

3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW WITH 0 MILES THE BACK SEAT WARMERS STOPPED WORKING AND THE BACK LIFT GATE STOPPED WORKING. THE HATCH HAD A RECALL ON ELECTRICAL. THAT WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT STOP THE ISSUE. THE LIFT GATE CONTINUED TO BE OFF AND ON WITH ITS FUNCTION. AT 38K MILES WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SHUT DOWN WITH COMPLETE POWER LOSS WITH A NO KEY DETECTION. CAR WAS TOWED, NO CODE THROWN, BATTER WAS CORRODED AFTER JUST BEING SERVICED 3 DAYS PRIOR WITH 0 CORROSION. WINDOWS WERE SLOW TO ROLL DOWN JUMPED BATTERY AND WAS THEN JUST REPLACED. THE ISSUES CONTINUED WITH WINDOWS BEING SLOW AND THEN TO THE POINT I WAS HAVING TO FORCE AND ASSIST THE WINDOW MANUALLY TO ROLL THEM UP. AGAIN MY CAR WOULD NOT START 3 MONTHS LATER. THE CAR WAS JUMPED AT HOME. 6 MONTHS AFTER INITIAL LOSS OF POWER IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE GOING 75 MILES AN HOUR DURING 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC. COMPLETE ELECTRICAL FAILURE RESULTING IN HAVING TO PULL OVER TO INSIDE SHOULDER. COULD NOT BE JUMPED AND WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THIS MAKES THE 7TH TIME AT A DEALERSHIP WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH NO CODES AND A 24 HOUR DIAGNOSTIC TEST ADMINISTERED. MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN WERE AT HIGH RISK MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS TRAUMATIC TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328088
Incident
Dec 14, 2019
Mileage
34,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 6, 2020

HAVE JUST UNDER 40,000 MILES ON MY 2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND MY COOLING FAN LITERALLY WOBBLES AS IT SPINS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. IT CONTINUES TO MAKE THIS NOISE AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNTIL THE FAN STOPS SPINNING. I RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. A FAN SHOULDN'T GIVE OUT IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND THE DEALER QUOTED ME $1000-1400 FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO GET IT FIXED. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS POSTED FOR YEARS NOW - THIS SHOULD BE A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR NISSAN AS OBVIOUSLY THIS FAN IS A DEFECTIVE. WILL THINK TIWICE ABOUT ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT FOR SURE. HAD A HONDA THAT I DROVE OR 12 YEARS AND NEVER HAD 1 PROBLEM OUT OF IT.

NHTSA ID
11320335
Incident
Mar 9, 2020
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 17, 2020

WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED EITHER FOR AIR CONDITIONING OR DEFROST IT ACTIVATES A SECONDARY COOLING FAN ON THE RADIATOR. THIS FAN STARTED MAKING NOISE (GROWLING) AND VIBRATING. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. UPON PRESENTING THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALER THE SERVICE TECH. SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE COOLING FAN. HE ALREADY KNEW BEFORE HE EXAMINED THE CAR. ONCE THEY EXAMINED THE CAR THEY CONFIRMED THAT IS WAS THE FAN. COST TO ME OVER $1000.00 THIS NOISE HAPPENED ANYTIME ANYPLACE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE COMPRESSOR ENGAGED.

NHTSA ID
11300194
Incident
Jan 14, 2020
Mileage
49,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 12, 2019

CAR CONSTANTLY STUTTERS, WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF GAS, I'VE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR WHICH IS UNRESOLVED AND UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED WHEN NEEDED TO BE FOUND. THE 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE THE FAN WENT OUT. I'VE REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND STILL SAME ISSUE. THE TOUCH SCREEN GOES BLACK AND ALSO IS NO LONGER WORKING. ALL PROBLEMS STARTED RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY ENDED. I'VE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES IN DIFFERENT CITIES. WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND ON IT BLOWS OUT WHITE SMOKE AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I'M SCARED TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE HESITATION AND THE FEELING OF IT GOING TO LOSE POWER.

NHTSA ID
11288743
Incident
Sep 6, 2019
Mileage
95,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 30, 2019

BACK UP CAMERA FAILS TO DISPLAY ON SCREEN - ALSO AFFECTS AIR CONDITIONING AND RADIO. WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE SCREEN REMAINS BLANK, IT DOES NOT TURN ON AT ALL - 50% OF THE TIME THE CAMERA WORKS, AND 50% OF THE TIME THE CAMERA DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID
11259131
Incident
Jun 3, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 17, 2019

INSTRUMENT ELECTRICAL PANEL TURNS OFF AND ON. WORKING INTERMITTENTLY RADIO, DISPLAY SCREEN, AC, BACK UP CAMERA. WHILE DRIVING RADIO AND DISPLAY SCREEN WILL RESTART AS IT DOES WHEN YOU FIRST START THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11232950
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
35,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 16, 2019

THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED AT 47,822 AND IT SOUNDED LIKE RAPID FIRE GOING OFF IN THE FRONT GRILL. THE IPDM WAS REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE ON 04_10_2019, WITH RIGHT AT 50,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AND WOULDN'T TURN OFF. CREST NISSAN IN FRISCO, TX PULLED BOTH BATTERY CABLES, AND THEN PULLED THE WIRING HARNESS OUT OF THE BACK OF THE IPDM MODULE. THEY REPLACED THE IPDM MODULE AT THIS TIME. AFTER THEY DID THIS IS WHEN THE FOLLOWING ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING. WE BACK OUT, TURN THE WHEELS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, AND THEN PLACE THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE TURNED THE WHEELS BACK TO A CENTER POSITION AND GO TO ACCELERATE TO MOVE FORWARD. THE ENGINE RPM DOESN'T INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THE TRUCK IS RUNNING, BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. AFTER 3-5 SECONDS, THE TRUCKS ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL ENGAGE AND THE TRUCK WILL PROCCED FORWARD. OVER 70% OF THE TIME, AFTER THIS OCCURS, THE TRUCK EXHIBITS A LOSS OF POWER AND A LOUD "ROAR" COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IF YOU PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, TURN THE TRUCK OFF, AND GO INSIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE TRUCK WILL START RIGHT UP AND THE LOUD "ROAR" IS NOW GONE. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU GO TO START THE VEHICLE (USING THE START/STOP BUTTON ON THE DASH) AND THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT TURNS HALF A ROTATION, AND THEN STOPS. APPROXIMATELY 1 - 1.5 SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO TURN OVER AND THE TRUCK WILL START. THE TECHNICIANS AT CREST NISSAN ORIGINALLY TOLD US THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE ISSUE AND THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICKUP ON 07/11. MY WIFE AND I WENT TO THE DEALER, GOT INTO THE TRUCK, AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. WE WENT BACK INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, ASKED BILLY TO RIDE WITH US AND HE SAW THE PROBLEM. HE THEN KEPT THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED THE TECHNICIANS IN THE MORNING. WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR TRUCK BACK AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX.

NHTSA ID
11232200
Incident
Jul 8, 2019
Mileage
52,131 mi
Electrical
Filed May 3, 2019

COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY FOR RADIATOR AND CLIMATE CONTROL. KNOWN ISSUE ACROSS 2014-2018 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. THE FANS/BEARINGS/INTERNAL MOTORS ARE CHEAP GARBAGE AND ARE FAILING. OWNERS ARE SPENDING $1,000 ON AVERAGE TO CORRECT AN ISSUE THAT IS THE DEALERS FAULT. AND IN MANY CASES THE REPAIR HAS TO BE DONE AGAIN BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS IT. I MIGHT VENTURE A GUESS THAT THEY PURPOSEFULLY USED INFERIOR PARTS THAT WOULD NECESSITATE REPAIR, AT CONSUMER EXPENSE.

NHTSA ID
11205528
Incident
May 3, 2019
Mileage
40,000 mi

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.

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