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2016 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering occupant classification and latch. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Cooling fan bearing failure and noise.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Campaign #16V244000 · Apr 26, 2016

Issue: 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.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Campaign #22V420000 · Jun 13, 2022

Issue: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder.

Reported to NHTSA

Cooling fan bearing failure and noise

ENGINE

32 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2025-01

“FAN BEARINGS IN THE TWIN FAN SHROUD HAVE FAILED AND ARE CREATING A LOUD NOISE AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO LEAD TO ENGINE OVERHEATING AND POTENTIAL ENGINE TROUBLE. THE NHTSA AND NISSAN HAVE PUT OUT A TSB (NTB17-100) IN OCT 2017”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11398173
“2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 81,000 MILES. DUAL COOLING FANS BEHIND RADIATOR HAVE LOUD RATTLE, ESPECIALLY WHILE A/C IS BEING USED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11209375
“AT 48,800 MILES RADIATOR FAN FAILED. AS WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT NISSAN DEALER, A MOUNTING PART FAILED AND CAUSED THE FAN TO RUB AGAINST THE SHROUD WHEN IN OPERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11154548

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood and trunk latch failure after recall repair

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

8 NHTSA complaints · 2021-08 → 2025-03

“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the mechanic was unable to securely close the hood of the vehicle. The mechanic lubricated the hood latch and was able to close the hood”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11641624
“While driving 70 mph on the turnpike, the hood of my vehicle came up and shattered my windshield, bent my hood and roof, amongst other damage. Despite the hood covering my windshield, I was able to safely navigate to a pull-off on the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11431131
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the hood of the vehicle would not properly secure and latch when closed. After having the oil changed, the mechanic was unable to secure the hood”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11427702

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spontaneous sunroof glass shattering while driving

VISIBILITY/WIPER

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-02 → 2022-01

“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND MYSELF. IT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11268720
“THE SUNROOF BLEW UP FROM THE INSIDE OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 80 MPH. GLASS FLEW TO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS FOLLOWING MINE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON COLUMBIA, SC. HIGHWAY 26”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10955674
“SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOR NO REASON AND NISSAN IS NOT WANTING TO REPAIR DUE TO BEING OUT OF MILEAGE WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075647

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel separation while driving

WHEELS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2019-02

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR STARTED VIBRATING (MUCH LIKE THE FEELING OF WHEN A CAR NEEDS TO GET THE WHEELS ALIGNED). I GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY TO TAKE IT TO A NEARBY NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE PARTS SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11180953
“WHILE DRIVING OUR 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER VEHICLE, WE FELT A SUDDEN VIBRATION AND THEN THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL (TIRE AND RIM) FELL OFF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE CAME DOWN ON WHAT REMAINED OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10953529

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT judder, hesitation, and failure

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2021-07 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and sputtered while depressing the accelerator pedal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704677
“My car hit 62,000 miles, it started having transmission issues. It shakes, makes large noises, the car tries to stall, having issues accelerating, and loss power. I am concerned that the car will turn off or broke down while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11424875
“Driving along and it felt as if I were driving over a rumble strip. It stopped after a while, but later that evening I felt it again, but this time the shudder was stronger and it sounded almost like a loud bird chirping”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755818

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal fade to floor

SERVICE BRAKES

13 NHTSA complaints · 2018-03 → 2023-05

“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 45 MPH and coming to a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11518210
“INTERMITTENT BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUE. WHILE STOPPED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL FADE CAUSING THE CAR TO CREEP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR FORCING DRIVER TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE FROM MOVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11323259
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140412

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag occupant sensor false-off indication

AIR BAGS

18 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2024-04

“The passenger airbag doesn’t activate at all. The OCS sensor is faulty. When someone sits in the front passenger seat, the airbag remains off. This is a known defect with Nissan Pathfinders”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11501521
“RE: RECALL 16V244000 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS RECALLED TO FIX PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR. WITHIN 2 MONTHS AFTER REPAIR PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN INTERMITTENTLY. APPROX 30% OF STARTS SHOWED PASS AIRBAG OFF IN SPITE OF PASSENGER IN PLACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11242027
“I WAS THE PERSON WHO FIRST FILED THE AIRBAG ISSUE ON NHTSA. FINALLY TODAY, THE ISSUE WAS "PATCHED".I SAY PATCHED NOT FIXED SINCE NOW THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON IN MY CAR WHICH DOES NOT MATCH THE MANUAL OF MY VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10934872

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2026-04

“The engine in this vehicle has shut off two times while we were driving it. We were forced to make emergency exits off of the roadway in order to prevent injury to ourselves and others”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11578577
“MY CAR LOSE THE POWER AND ONLY WAS 25MILES BY HOURS SPEED, THIS HAPPEN RUNNING IN THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11267644

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

21 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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