2015 Nissan Pathfinder Safety Report
2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (315) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 12 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder with 44 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Pathfinder Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Pathfinder years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Pathfinder | 104 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Nissan Pathfinder | 183 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Nissan Pathfinder | 75 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Pathfinder | 71 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Nissan Pathfinder | 44 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Nissan Pathfinder | 123 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Nissan Pathfinder Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
57 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyAir Bags
45 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyPower Train
41 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyEngine
38 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyVisibility/Wiper
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Nissan onlyStructure
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Reliability Score
The 2015 Nissan Pathfinder receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags High-severity recalls for airbag malfunctions have been issued, affecting a significant number of vehicles. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Mid-severity recalls for power train issues have been reported, impacting the vehicle's performance and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Service brake issues have been reported, potentially affecting the vehicle's stopping ability. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Structural Integrity Structural issues, such as hood latches not latching properly, have been reported, though less frequently. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder:
Recalls for airbag malfunctions are the most common issue, affecting a significant number of vehicles.
Recalls for power train issues are also common, impacting the vehicle's performance and safety.
Service brake issues have been reported, potentially affecting the vehicle's stopping ability.
Structural issues, such as hood latches not latching properly, have been reported, though less frequently.
Recall Details for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder by NHTSA:
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.
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.
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 depr...
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, i...
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 cu...
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 incorrec...
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. Inter...
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
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
1. CODE P0101 not removed after replacing MAF sensor. 2. power steering motor is annoying noise, high pitched sound.
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 experiencing a transmission failure. The dealer was contacted. The veh...
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 mobile mechanic arrived at the residence and inspected the ve...
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this request under my existing Consumer Affairs case number [XXX] regarding my 2015 Nissan Pathfinder (VIN: [XXX] , Plate: [XXX] ). On [insert date], while driving on the freeway, the hood latch failed and caused the hood to suddenly fly up, completely blocking my view. This recall-related defect directly led to my vehicle striking another car. Thankfully,...
I bought a vehicle from Woods Nissan in Lees Summit, MO, on [XXX], and in a week I went back for details, and the car would not start. They checked and claimed nothing was wrong, and I took their word for it. I took the car to KC Auto Clinic in Independence, MO, and they found it was the judder system, which they said was an issue they were seeing in many Nissan vehicles. To me, there should be a ...
I was driving on a busy highway and when I went to accelerate after slowing down in traffic my Pathfinder started to shake and shudder and would not accelerate forward. I not only almost got rear ended but I almost got into a head on collision because I was at an intersection. The car just lost all power all of a sudden. My car has been maintained properly with routine oil changes, transmission fl...
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a significant delay in the vehicle response. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the v...
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 investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to N...
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 pay for repair because it falls under a warranty that I don...
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the transmission shuddered, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that t...
The hood does not fully latch when closed unless manually engaged. I’ve brought it in to the dealer several times now to specifically have the safety recall completed but all they continue to do is “ clean” it and send me away. It is an ongoing issue and they will not complete the recall on my vehicle.
After my fiance passed from cancer in February. I saved 10g for me and our kids to get to school and work. The Carfax report only showed one recall at that time. I only drove that truck a week and almost died multiple times with my family. The truck just would go into limp mode. I found later that Nissin America had recalled the CVT / Judder/ transmission. It was recalled and never fixed! That was...
The trans shifting from 70 miles per hour to first gear while driving on the highway now it shakes my car when I move it for word just to clean under it in my parking lot I just bought the car last year I dove it for about 3 to for month's And now it sits for five to six because i can't afford a new transmission
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 repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact...
I purchased a used 2015 Nissan Pathfinder last year. Recently the passenger airbag light does not turn off. After searching the internet, I found their was a recall for this issue in the past. I contacted Nissan, and to my dismay they claim the issue had been addressed for my vehicle and will not pay to have the issue resolved. I am unsure that having a passenger in my car is safe.
My Nissan Pathfinder had R24C6 Hood Latch Recall repaired a couple months ago and is is still not updated in the NHTSA website? Service was done at the Nissan Dealership on Sonoma Blvd in Vallejo Ca. When I go to the Nissan dealership website to schedule an appointment, Nissan states that there are no open recalls on this vehicle (7SBE521) I will upload documentation to prove it was done. NHTS...
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 unsafe
$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.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at 25 MPH, the front driver's side air bag and the driver's side curtain air bags suddenly deployed without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approxim...
Showing 20 of 315 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Opened 2021-12-09 · Closed 2022-07-08
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 subm...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Has the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
The 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 315 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 11 involved crashes. 7 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER involve unknown or other (57 complaints), air bags (45 complaints), power train (41 complaints). Other affected components include engine, visibility/wiper, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
There are 11 crash reports associated with the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER out of 315 total complaints (3.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER out of 315 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
7 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 315 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (57 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS (45 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (41 complaints), 4. ENGINE (38 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY/WIPER (9 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 57 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Be aware of potential airbag and power train issues, and ensure regular maintenance to address service brake and structural concerns. The 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 315 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 315 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 12 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Known issues with the 2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER include: Airbags, Power Train, Service Brakes, Structural Integrity. These are based on patterns found across 315 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
Yes, there are recalls for airbags and power train issues, affecting a significant number of vehicles.
What are some common problems with the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
Common problems include airbag malfunctions, power steering noise, and jerking/vibrating during acceleration.
Are there any structural issues with the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
Yes, hood latches not latching properly have been reported, though less frequently.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential airbag and power train issues, and ensure regular maintenance to address service brake and structural concerns.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The data includes 315 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 11 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 7 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16