CarBrief

NHTSA has 321 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder[1], and the model year has 6 recalls[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe power train shudder, cooling fan noise and a passenger air bag light that stays on, so check recall status before you buy[3][4][5].

321owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
21–26MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 321 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 7 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Unknown or other[8] 79
Power train[3] 77
Engine[4] 75
Air bags[5] 55
Electrical system[9] 27
Speed control[10] 27
Brakes[11] 26
Structure[12] 12

We read a small sample of complaint texts for the top groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

The air bag theme is related to the two occupant classification sensor recalls listed below[13][14]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Recalls

Six recalls are on file, newest first. Some recalls cover only certain vehicles, so confirm which ones apply to a specific car.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings vary by drivetrain. The hybrids are the most efficient. Annual costs use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl[19] 20 / 27 / 23 $2,900
4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl[20] 19 / 26 / 22 $3,050
4WD Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl[21] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,200
Hybrid 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl[6] 25 / 28 / 26 $2,600
Hybrid 4WD, 2.5L 4-cyl[22] 25 / 27 / 26 $2,600

All five use regular fuel and an automatic with variable gear ratios[19][20][21][6][22].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[7]. Rollover risk is 17.9%[7]. The FWD version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 17.4%[23].

Engine and size

EPA lists 230 hp for the 2.5L 4-cylinder, the engine in the hybrid ratings above[24][6]. The 3.5L 6-cylinder is rated 260 hp[25].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Length is 197 in, width 77 in, height 70 in and wheelbase 114 in for every variant listed[26][27][28][29]. Curb weight varies:

Variant Curb weight
S FWD[28] 4,275 lb
S/SV/SL AWD[29] 4,420 lb
Platinum AWD[27] 4,672 lb
Hybrid SV/Platinum[26] 4,676 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

1995: 170 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 159 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 217 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 149 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 104 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 112 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 230 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 156 complaints, 5 recalls2003: 110 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 67 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 1,050 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 837 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 561 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 328 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 37 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 40 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 45 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 890 complaints, 11 recalls20132014: 585 complaints, 12 recalls2015: 321 complaints, 6 recalls32120152016: 107 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 186 complaints, 2 recalls2018: 78 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 76 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 48 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 136 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 107 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 86 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 55 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 12 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pathfinder model year. The 2015 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951700
19961593
19972172
19981492
19991042
20001122
20012303
20021565
20031103
2004673
20051,0502
20068373
20075611
20083284
2009373
2010404
2011452
2012232
201389011
201458512
20153216
20161072
20171862
2018783
2019762
2020480
20221365
20231071
2024862
2025551
2026120

The 2015 model year has 321 complaints and 6 recalls[2]. Six model years have more complaints: 2005 (1,050), 2006 (837), 2007 (561), 2008 (328), 2013 (890) and 2014 (585)[2]. Only 2013 (11) and 2014 (12) have more recalls[2].

The 2016 model year has 107 complaints and 2 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2015 Pathfinder?

The 2015 Pathfinder earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[7][23]. Its record has weak spots, and owners describe low-speed shudder and hesitation, cooling fan noise and a passenger air bag light that stays on, based on a small sample of complaints[3][4][5]. Before you buy, check the VIN for open recalls, especially the occupant sensor recalls, since the recall record for 16V244 says the remedy waited on parts[13]. Ask for service records on the transmission and cooling fan. If fuel cost matters, the hybrid is rated 26 combined MPG against 21 to 23 for the 3.5L versions[19][20][21][6][22].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
By component group, NHTSA lists 79 unknown or other, 77 power train and 75 engine complaints out of 321 total[1][8][3][4]. In a sample we read, owners describe low-speed shudder, cooling fan noise and a passenger air bag light that stays on[3][4][5].
Does the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Yes, 6 are on file[2]. They cover the hood latch, hybrid software, brake light switch, occupant classification sensor (two recalls) and front wheel hub fasteners[15][16][17][13][14][18].
What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Pathfinder?
EPA combined ratings are 23 MPG for 2WD, 22 for 4WD, 21 for 4WD Platinum and 26 for both hybrids[19][20][21][6][22].
How safe is the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall in both AWD and FWD form, with 4 stars frontal and rollover and 5 stars side[7][23].
Is 2015 a good year for the Pathfinder?
Six model years have more complaints than 2015 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013 and 2014), and many later years have fewer, such as 2016 with 107[2]. It has 6 recalls, and only 2013 (11) and 2014 (12) have more[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 321 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder (11 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Pathfinder model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 77 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 75 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,576). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 55 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for Pathfinder Hybrid 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 28 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 79 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,753). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 27 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,756). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 27 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,697). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 26 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,014). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 12 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 16V244, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 15V681, filed October 20, 2015: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 22V420, filed June 13, 2022: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 21V774, filed October 4, 2021: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Engine Control Module (Ecu / Ecm) › Software. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 21V020, filed January 20, 2021: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 15V012, filed January 14, 2015: Service Brakes. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Pathfinder 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD Platinum, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Pathfinder Hybrid 4WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 27 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 230 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Nissan Pathfinder with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 260 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER HYBRID SV/PLATINUM 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 77 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,676 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER PLATINUM AWD 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 77 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,672 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER S FWD 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 77 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,275 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER S/SV/SL AWD 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 77 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,420 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.