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Nissan Pathfinder headlights problems

25 of the 7,333 owner complaints about the Nissan Pathfinder describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2017 model year.

owner complaints
25
worst model year
2017
typical mileage
70,300
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    3
  • 2024
    1
  • 2020
    1
  • 2019
    1
  • 2017
    4
  • 2015
    2
  • 2014
    2
  • 2013
    2
  • 2008
    2
  • 2005
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    1
  • 1999
    1
  • 1995
    1
  • 1990
    1

What owners say

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Body, Driver assistance · NJ · crash

On November 3, 2026 at about 6:00 pm (after dark), my wife was driving our 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum forward in Drive at 5 mph or slower into a narrow residential driveway. The front parking sensors were switched on and the camera view was showing on the center screen. The right front corner hit a metal pole beside the driveway. There was no beep or warning on the screen or dashboard before the impact, and the car did not brake. After the impact, the dashboard showed a sensor warning. The impact tore the front bumper and fender and damaged the headlight. The car had to be towed. I am concerned that the front sensors fail to detect fixed objects at the front corners at parking speed.

Filed Sep 7, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · NJ

Vehicle Information •Make: Nissan •Model: Pathfinder •Year: 2025 •Mileage at Incident: Less than 2,800 miles •Purchase Date: May 2025 Summary of Problem: Since purchase, the vehicle has had repeated brake failures, unintended acceleration, lighting malfunctions, and electronic system defects. Problems are intermittent but worsening, creating a serious safety risk. Details of Incidents: 1.Steering / Handling: •Since day one, steering feels loose and “floating” at highway speeds. 2.Parking Assist & Braking: •Parking assist randomly activates upon startup with all sensors lit and beeping, requiring a restart to clear. •In garage, parking assist sometimes locks brakes, then suddenly accelerates toward wall. 3.Braking / Acceleration Failures (Sept. 3-4 2025): •While driving brakes did not slow vehicle despite increased pedal pressure; required slamming pedal to lock brakes. •On highway 65–70 mph, while pressing brake to slow for exit, vehicle accelerated past 73 mph before decelerating. 4. Lighting Failure: •Twice, headlights failed to activate in Auto mode. First incident resulted in driver being pulled over; restarting car restored lights. Second incident at dusk—only high beams worked; no low beams despite Auto mode being on. 5. Other Electrical / Mechanical Defects: •Passenger mirror sometimes stuck in folded position; driver mirror opens slowly. •Front windows occasionally fail to open/close or move very slowly. •Apple CarPlay forces return to CarPlay screen, won’t allow switching to other apps; defaults to AM/FM radio at startup.•Clicking sound from dashboard when AC is running. •AC intermittently blows hot air instead of cold.•Auto start/stop feature reactivates itself after being manually turned off. •Vehicle shakes noticeably when idling or starting, worsening. Frequency: since vehicle purchase in May 2025. Braking/acceleration failures happened multiple times. Safety Risk: Loss of braking, unintended acceleration, &lighting failures present a serious risk.

Filed Aug 21, 2025 · Lights · 70,300 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed a melted spot and soot on the bottom of the front passenger’s side headlight assembly. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop, where it was determined that the front passenger’s side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,300.

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · TX

1. 1st week having car was leaving to go on a trip, I pulled into a gas station. A driver pulled up next to us and told us we had no break lights. ( it was still dark outsid!) I got out of my car and have my wife step on the breaks, and sure enough no break lights. It was set on standard head lights on! We found that putting it into the auto light setting that we then had break lights. (break lights should never be discounted)! 2. 2nd problem my wife & I have had when going into traffic on the interstate, is the car locks into low gear and will not shift!!! Major safty issure!!!! This has happen 6 times in the last 2.5 months. Almost cause a car slaming into us twice.

Filed Oct 6, 2024 · Lights · TX

Low beam headlamps becoming to dim to safely see at night resulting in having to replace entire headlamp Replacing bulb made no difference

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Lights · CO

Upon purchasing the vehicle, the headlights are not bright enough. There are several threads on reddit talking about this issue. Some people say they are fine, but others are reporting that they have almost hit curbs and other items due to the lack of density. The coverage is far and wide, but the visible light in all conditions is horrible. I had a previous 2021 Nissan Murano with LED headlights and they blew this out of the water. Same for a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The rating on the headlights is not "Good" but "Acceptable." These are unsafe! In snowy weather I could not see the road. I have had to purchase aftermarket lights to supplement the headlights as trading in the vehicle is not financially feasible for us. This needs to be investigated! The dealer is saying they are aimed properly but that Nissan has cut the brightness. This is unsafe! There are a lot of dark areas in the lights. In the photo I have uploaded, my vehicle is aimed down (driveway down on the angled curb) to show the gaps in lighting, so it appears brighter than it actually is). There are a lot of dark spots, etc. too.

Filed Apr 23, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · NV

While driving and going down the highway my vehicles HUD and all electronics inside the vehicle will just randomly kick out momentarily for not no more the 30seconds, but the head lights stay one and the car still runs. It kicks the cruise control off and this just started happening.

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · 60,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond immediately. The contact stated that the failure recurred on a raining day, causing the vehicle to glide. The air bag, traction control, and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the brakes were replaced. The contact stated that she also replaced the tires; however, the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V445000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing inaccurate fuel gauge reading. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle shut off due to the lack of fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown repair was completed. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing an electrical failure. The contact stated that the headlights and the interior lights were dim and would flicker intermittently. Additionally, the power train warning light illuminated intermittently. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2023 · Lights · CA

Headlamps on 2015 Nissan Pathfinder delaminating making plastic on headlamps foggy with issue getting worse by the day. Safety issue that Nissan will not assume responsibility for, even though they had similar recall for years of other model car in 2015. Reference TSB No. 03-074H. Dealership at Surf city Nissan has been zero help. I am concerned for the safety of my family while driving at night. Please help if you can.

Filed Feb 6, 2023 · Lights · FL

Recently, I have noticed that my SUV has not had good luminating ability so I naturally assumed it was a faulty or weak bulb. I have since then changed the bulbs to LED and still the same issue exists, I cannot see 3 feet in front of me at night. It is a danger to me, my occupants and others. It seems that the headlamp assembly is delaminating from the inside causing the reflective piece to become ineffective, regardless of how strong of a bulb you have. I researched this issue and seems to be prevalent in Nissans, in fact, Nissan had a recall on their Nissan Altima headlamps for the same reason. That recall ended last year but did not include my vehicle. Please help me since each assembly is approximately $250-$300 each, plus installation.

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported January 20, 2021 · 264,431 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 21V020000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported May 31, 2016 · 79,853 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 16V380000 · Recall details

Questions about the Nissan Pathfinder headlights

Which Nissan Pathfinder years have headlights failing or too dim problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2017 (4 complaints), 2025 (3 complaints) and 2008 (2 complaints).

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