2014 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 14, 2026 · 574 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Pathfinder years
Far more complaints than other years 4th of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 574 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. That ranks 4th out of 31 Pathfinder model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (214 complaints, 37%), typically at around 42,000 miles. Complaints mention 19 crashes, 3 fires, 32 injuries. There are 11 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Nissan Pathfinder
Front view of a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD crossover. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Deathpallie325, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2014 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train214 · ~42,000 mi
Air Bags92 · ~10,000 mi
Unknown or Other87 · ~62,000 mi
Engine62 · ~55,000 mi
Visibility/wiper54 · ~47,000 mi
Structure48 · ~51,500 mi
Service Brakes38 · ~52,299 mi
Electrical System33 · ~35,750 mi
Vehicle Speed Control26 · ~52,000 mi
Suspension13 · ~7,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train problems21437%42,000“cvt transmission” (15%)$6,350
Air Bags problems9216%10,000“passenger seat” (39%)—
Unknown or Other8715%62,000——
Engine problems6211%55,000——
Visibility/wiper problems549%47,000“driver side” (39%)—
Structure488%51,500——
Service Brakes387%52,299——
Electrical System336%35,750——
Vehicle Speed Control265%52,000——
Suspension132%7,500——
Fuel/propulsion System122%56,153——
Latches/locks/linkages102%93,000——
Steering92%43,269——
Seats81%41,000——
Exterior Lighting71%47,000——
Seat Belts61%51,058——
Wheels61%60,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling51%70,500——
Visibility41%74,878——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility31%3,200——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic31%60,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline20%31,500——
Tires20%———
Equipment10%63,000——
Hybrid Propulsion System10%130,000——
Trailer Hitches10%700——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 76 complaints
2013: 5201352014: 472014472015: 542015542016: 722016722017: 412017412018: 672018672019: 762019762020: 392020392021: 422021422022: 362022362023: 232023232024: 312024312025: 272025272026: 14202614

n = 574 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2014 Nissan Pathfinder recalls (11)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latchJun 13, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V420000 · 322,671 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Exterior lighting:brake lights:switchJan 20, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V020000 · 264,431 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

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 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.

Exterior lighting:brake lights:switchMay 31, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V380000 · 79,853 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to June 13, 2013. The brake light switch may have been installed incorrectly causing the relay to make intermittent contact and repeatedly cycle. This may result in the relay remaining in the "ON" position, causing the brake lights to remain illuminated even when the brakes are not applied. Additionally, the brake light switch may interfere with the brake-shift interlock, allowing the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "Park" position, without depressing the brake pedal.

Risk: If the brake override is activated, the driver will not be accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash. If the brake lights remain illuminated, other drivers may fail to stop when the vehicle actually brakes, increasing the risk of a crash. If the driver inadvertently shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, the vehicle may rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake light switch and, as necessary, replace the relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classificationApr 26, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Air bags:sensor:occupant classification; air bags:frontalOct 20, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V681000 · 919 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Structure:body:hood:hinge and attachmentsJan 26, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V033000 · 170,665 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to November 18, 2013, 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid vehicles manufactured July 18, 2013, to November 18, 2013, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles manufactured November 29, 2011, to June 14, 2013, and 2014 QX60 vehicles manufactured May 16, 2013, to November 18, 2013, and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles manufactured July 18, 2013, to November 18, 2013. In the affected vehicles the hood release cable assembly may have been installed incorrectly preventing the latching claw from fully engaging. The secondary latch may remain in the open position when the hood is closed.

Risk: If the primary hood latch is released and the secondary latch fails during operation of the vehicle, it could cause the hood to open during vehicle operation impairing the driver's vision, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the angle of the hood release mechanism to provide additional length to the release cable, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Service brakesJan 14, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V012000 · 893 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. These conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studsMay 2, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V229000 · 334 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Pathfinder and Rogue vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The right side wheels of the affected vehicles may have one lug nut each that was not properly tightened.

Risk: If the lug nut becomes loose from not being properly tightened, it may fall off, allowing the other lug nuts to become loose, possibly resulting in a wheel separation, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten any loose lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by the end of June 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air bags:frontal; electrical system:softwareMar 25, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V138000 · 989,701 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.

Risk: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag 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.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Electrical system:software; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipOct 17, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V445000 · 151,695 vehicles

Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles manufactured April 18, 2012, through September 20, 2013; model year 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through January 16, 2013; and model year 2014 Infiniti QX60 vehicles manufactured January 17, 2013, through September 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, during light braking on rough roads, the antilock brake system (ABS) brake pressure output software may lead to an increase in stopping distance.

Risk: The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ABS, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Air bags:frontalSep 26, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V456000 · 2,310 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2014 Pathfinders manufactured from July 25, 2013, to September 5, 2013 with Almond interiors only. The instrument panel tear seam on the passenger frontal air bag was incorrectly cut on the back side of the instrument panel which could cause the air bag to not deploy properly.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the improper air bag deployment may increase the risk of personal injury.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected instrument panel assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Hood Latch/Bell Crank Assembly (PE21022) — opened Dec 9, 2021, closed Jul 8, 2022, led to recall 22V420000.
  • Occupant Classification System Failure (EA15004) — opened Aug 31, 2015, closed May 2, 2017, led to recall 15V681000.
  • Occupant Classification System Failure (RQ15001) — opened Mar 18, 2015, closed Sep 1, 2015.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

2014 Nissan Parhfinder FWD Premium: this vehicles CVT joint failed that shirt the engine down to about 10 miles an hour immediately. Which caused me the driver to find a place to pull it off the road quickly. If a person or myself could not have a point to pull off the road or someone was behind…

Engine · received Jul 14, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11750190

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that it had rained heavily for two days, and the contact became aware that there was a significant amount of water accumulated on the front passenger's and driver's side floorboards and underneath the seats. Additionally, the contact…

Structure · received Jun 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11747185

I purchased the car July 2024 by November 2024 the transmission failed and had to be replaced. Replaced, not repaired. By October 2025 it failed again. The car sputtered and then would not drive. This time the dealer said other repairs had to be done first before they would officially say the…

Engine · received Jun 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11747205

Rear Door / lift gate will not go all the way up or stay up without manual assistance, causing 2 head injuries and 2 arm injuries on recent occasions. We have confirmed with the dealer & one Nissan Certified Mechanic that this is a common problem. The dealer & 2 mechanics have said they do not know…

Power Train · received Jun 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11746091

I bought this vehicle and it has about 5,000 miles on it, I added about 60,000 more miles on it and I have to replaced the automatic transmission paid from my pocket since the manufacturer warranty does not cover all that much miles.

Power Train · received Jun 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11742510

Other Nissan Pathfinder years

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See all Nissan Pathfinder problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?

Owners most often report power train, air bags, unknown or other problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 214 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?

Yes, 11 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Pathfinder model years, the 2014 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.