The 2014 Pathfinder marks Nissan's transition to a unibody crossover with the CVT transmission — a major departure from the body-on-frame predecessor. The CVT is the Achilles' heel here, prone to early failure that often totals the vehicle economically.
CVT Transmission Failure (Catastrophic)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or lurching during acceleration, especially from stop, Whining or grinding noise during acceleration, Transmission overheating warning light, Loss of power or inability to accelerate, Delayed engagement when shifting to Drive or Reverse
Fix: CVT replacement is the only real fix once internal damage occurs. Fluid changes every 30k can delay but not prevent failure. Nissan extended warranty to 84k/7yr on some units, but many fail outside that window. Replacement is 8-12 hours labor plus $3,500-5,000 for remanufactured unit.
Symptoms: Milky or strawberry-colored CVT fluid on dipstick, Sudden transmission failure shortly after coolant leak, Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, Transmission slip or judder that appears suddenly
Fix: The internal trans cooler in the radiator can rupture, mixing coolant with CVT fluid and destroying the transmission within miles. Requires radiator replacement, complete CVT fluid system flush (lines, cooler, valve body), and often full CVT replacement if contamination reached clutches. If caught early (just milky fluid, no symptoms), aggressive flushing might save it — 4-6 hours labor. If trans is damaged, you're looking at full replacement per above.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (caught early) or $5,000-7,500 (trans damaged)
Engine Internal Failure (Piston Ring / Bearing Wear)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart every 500-1,000 mi), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Engine knock or tick that worsens with RPM, Low oil pressure warning light, Metal shavings in oil during changes
Fix: VQ35DE engines in this generation can develop piston ring wear causing oil burning, or rod/main bearing failure causing knock. Oil consumption under warranty threshold (1qt/1000mi) but still problematic. Full engine rebuild with pistons, rings, bearings, and machine work is 30-40 hours. Most shops recommend used/reman long block swap instead (18-24 hours) for reliability.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500 (used engine swap) or $6,000-9,000 (rebuild)
Timing Chain Stretch / Tensioner Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine on cold start (first 10-15 seconds), Check engine light with P0011 or P0021 (cam timing codes), Rough idle or misfires at startup, Loss of power or hesitation during acceleration
Fix: Primary timing chain tensioners wear or chains stretch, causing timing issues. Requires front engine disassembly to replace chains, tensioners, guides. VQ35 has two chains (primary and secondary). If caught early, chains/tensioners only — 10-14 hours. If chain jumped teeth, valve damage possible requiring head work.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,500 (chains/tensioners only) or $4,000-6,000 (with valve damage)
Brake Light Switch Failure
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Brake lights stuck on (draining battery overnight), Brake lights not working at all, Cannot shift out of Park (interlock won't release), Cruise control won't engage or disengages randomly
Fix: Cheap plastic switch above brake pedal fails frequently (subject to two recalls, but still happens). Simple replacement, 0.3-0.5 hours. Check for recall coverage first — TSB NTB13-017 and multiple campaigns.
Estimated cost: $80-150
Front Strut Mount / Bearing Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or knocking over bumps (especially sharp impacts), Steering makes popping noise when turning at full lock, Uneven tire wear on front tires, Steering doesn't return to center smoothly
Fix: Upper strut mounts wear out prematurely. Replace in pairs with bearings — 2.5-3.5 hours including alignment. Often found during tire wear diagnosis.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Owner tips
CVT fluid changes every 30,000 miles religiously — use only Nissan NS-3 fluid, never 'universal' CVT fluid
Check CVT fluid color monthly if over 60k miles — any pink tint means cooler leak, stop driving immediately
Monitor oil consumption closely — these engines can start burning oil without obvious smoke
If buying used, get pre-purchase inspection focused on CVT condition (fluid color, shudder test) and compression test
Budget $500/year for 'CVT failure fund' if keeping past 80k miles — it's not if, it's when
Hard pass unless you're getting it dirt cheap and factoring in a $5k-7k CVT replacement as inevitable — this generation's CVT reliability is among the worst in the industry, and even good maintenance only delays the failure.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 21V020000
2021-01-20
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 16V380000
2016-05-31
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 CLASSIFICATION · 16V244000
2016-04-26 · EA15004
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 15V681000
2015-10-20 · EA15004
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 15V033000
2015-01-26
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 BRAKES · 15V012000
2015-01-14
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.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · 14V229000
2014-05-02
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 14V138000
2014-03-25
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · 13V445000
2013-10-17
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.
Consequence: The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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:FRONTAL · 13V456000
2013-09-26
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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