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2015 Nissan Pathfinder: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, most recently filed June 2022. Owners have filed 320 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 2 brake · 2 air bag · 1 latch Source: NHTSA Complaints 320filed Owner reports, 2011–2020 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 26mpg combined $2,512/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.5 L 4-cyl· CVT 5 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 22V420000 Filed Jun 13, 2022

Malfunctioning Hood Latch

Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Official NHTSA text
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.
24.8% repairedof 322,671 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V420000
Listed for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V020000 Filed Jan 20, 2021

Brake Light Switch Relay may Stick

Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
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.
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, increasing the risk of injury.
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 customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall PC786. Note: this recall supersedes 16V-380.
66.4% repairedof 264,431 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V020000
Listed for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V244000 Filed Apr 26, 2016

Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy due to OCS Error

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
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.
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. 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.
77.1% repairedof 3,296,947 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V244000
Listed for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V681000 Filed Oct 20, 2015

Air Bag may not Detect Passenger in Seat

Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
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.
68.4% repairedof 919 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V681000
Listed for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V012000 Filed Jan 14, 2015

Front Hub Assembly Bolts May Loosen and Fall Off

Service brakes
Official NHTSA text
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.
88.1% repairedof 893 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V012000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Pathfinder years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Nissan PathfinderAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (320)

320 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The unknown or other is mentioned most often.

11involved a crash
1involved a fire
7injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 320.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2015 compares with other Pathfinder years

Best and worst Pathfinder years →
45 23 890 574 320 105 186 77 76 53
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
This year (2015)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 17.4%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2015 Nissan Pathfinder suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined

26
mpg combined
25
city
28
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,600
CO₂ tailpipe
342 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,512per year
$209per month
577gallons a year

Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2015 Nissan Pathfinder configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive25 / 28 / 26$2,600342
2.5 L 4-cyl · CVT4-Wheel Drive25 / 27 / 26$2,600344
3.5 L 6-cyl · CVTFront-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900389
3.5 L 6-cyl · CVT4-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050413
3.5 L 6-cyl · CVT4-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 21$3,200422

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2015 Pathfinder for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Pathfinder years

Where to next

Which Pathfinder years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2016 Nissan Pathfinder report105 complaints · 2 campaigns →2014 Nissan Pathfinder report574 complaints · 11 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2015 Nissan Pathfinder FAQ

How many recalls does the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 22V420000 (latch), 21V020000 (brake), 16V244000 (air bag), 15V681000 (air bag), 15V012000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2015 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 320 complaints with NHTSA. Unknown or other (79), Power train (76), Engine (74) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 25 city, 28 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder get?

NHTSA rated the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (17.4% rollover risk).

How does the 2015 Pathfinder compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Nissan Pathfinder model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (23) and the 2013 the most (890). The 2015 drew 320. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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