2019 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering camera and antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Engine failure from oil sludge and metal shavings.” 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

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #19V654000 · Dec 9, 2019

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Campaign #19V807000 · Aug 11, 2019

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Risk: A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder.

Reported to NHTSA

Engine failure from oil sludge and metal shavings

ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2026-08

There was built up sludge in my engine that caused it to fail, and I was charged to replace it
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11757320
Complete engine failure. I did regular oil changes about every 4000 miles and the last one I did early at around 3200 miles the oil was sludge and after the engine knocked and low oil pressure light came on and the engine blew all within 2 miles of the light coming on and me
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11674247
I was driving my Pathfinder and I experienced engine failure. It is a four year old engine with 170000 miles on it that has been properly maintained. The engine was knocking and would not accelerate on the highway past 40 mph. When I finally stopped the car, it would not
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11605781

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Transmission and transfer case failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2022-03 → 2025-07

Vehicle Transfer Case had complete failure at 25,800 miles of street/highway use. My family had to pull to the shoulder of [XXX] in Maryland due to uncertain loud noises. The issue was reported to local Nissan dealer (where I purchased this vehicle new) and scheduled for
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624919
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal at a stop light, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the engine was revving abnormally. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11563397
Lost acceleration in the middle of the road when the abs, traction and 4wd waraning came on was able to make home by poweringitbof on back on lucky I was l was a mile away from home, I replaced the ABS but problem stayed the same had to pay a mobile Mechanic to come check it for
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527563

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Panoramic sunroof shattering while driving

STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2023-01

Monday, January 30, at 7:25pm, I was driving my 2019 Nissan Pathfinder at 55mph and the sunroof exploded. The weather was clear, 60 degrees, no precipitation. There was a loud explosion then the sound of glass rained over the roof of the car. The interior shield was closed;
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11504597
TRAVELING I-80 FROM YORK, NE TO LINCOLN, NE. ON JUNE 3, 2019, 11:47 A.M. APPROX. 2 MILES WEST OF HWY 15 EXIT, WE HEAR A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THOUGHT A TIRE OR SOMETHING HIT OUR PATHFINDER. LUCKY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE AROUND US AND THE WEATHER WAS HOT WITH CLEAR SKYS. I PULLED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11221848
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER 2019 IN MARCH AND TODAY AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH NO CARS TO THE FRONT OF US OUR SUNROOF EXPLODED THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE OFF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THANK GOODNESS WE HAD THE INSIDE VISOR CLOSED OTHERWISE IT WOULD
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11324259

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Sudden loss of engine power while driving

ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2025-12

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 82 MPH, the vehicle suddenly started to lose motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually resumed normal operation before
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11703256
Car started jerking multiple times and then RPM went down to zero and stopped driving while in traffic
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689533
VEHICLE WAS PERFECTLY FINE, BUT THEN BEGIN TO STALL OUT ON 3/1 IN MOTION ON THE STREET, WHILE TURNING, & BACKING UP. THEN ON 3/18 WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP THE CAR IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. CAR IS AT THE SHOP NOW WITH REPORTED TRANSMISSION ISSUES
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11403883

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Forward collision system false warnings and braking

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2026-04

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact was losing control of the vehicle. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated, with a rattling and beeping sound coming from the vehicle. An
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11730738
The ICC gives false crash warnings and automatically brakes your vehicle while driving at highway speeds, which is a dangerous situation. I believe it to be a bad Bosch Radar Sensor which is faulty. Other owners have told me of their same problem
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11455506
AEB (AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING) LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES WHICH MEANS AEB FUNCTION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS ACTION DISABLES INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL WHICH RELIES ON AEB TO AUTOMATICALLY SLOW THE CAR IF IT ENCOUNTERS A SLOWER VEHICLE AHEAD. ONLY HAD THE CAR A WEEK OR SO, BOUGHT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11386498

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Brake pedal failure and loss of braking

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

10 NHTSA complaints · 2022-04 → 2026-02

I am driving the car in the highway when I tray to exit ,I see the RED light semaforo in the end of the exit. Well I tray to stop the car and the brakes does' not work, and the air bag coming out before I hit the other car.My car in the front not have any damage. the other car
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11716590
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the stop lamp switch warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the stop lamp switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11547680
Is it noted anywhere that the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4x4 vehicle's brakes wear rather quickly, that whatever pin was missing is not secured properly and as well as the brake fluid dissapating? All of this is vital to proper safety. Although I like Pathfinders, I will not
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11488452

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Rear-view camera display failure

UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2025-07

My rear camera display malfunctions and the screen goes black. I took it on to Nissan for repair and the problem is still not resolved. I contacted Nissan on several times and reported the issue to see if my vehicle is on recall list but it’s not. I believe it should be. I also
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11594177
lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash, i have been told NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V654000 has been performed already, but i am facing this reverse camera issue still all the times and looking for proper resolution from Nissan on the safety
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11482303
BACK UP CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. *TR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11327539

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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)

15 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.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

1

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 2019 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.