Nissan Pathfinder overheating problems

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · TN

On XXX, about 7:40 p.m., my 2024 Nissan Pathfinder (approx. 24,300 miles) accelerated unexpectedly on XXX southbound toward [XXX], with my daughter aboard. It was dark, dry and cool. ProPILOT Assist/adaptive cruise was set to 80 mph at the closest following distance and had operated for 60–90 minutes. The engine sounded louder, the SUV surged and rapidly closed on traffic ahead. Braking did not stop the repeated acceleration. I switched cruise fully off; its dash indicators disappeared, yet acceleration continued. Each time I eased off the brake, the engine revved to about 5,000 RPM or higher and the SUV accelerated rapidly, reaching about 85 mph or more. I had to brake extremely hard, smelled overheated brakes and made emergency lane changes to avoid collisions. No warning lights appeared. I stopped on the shoulder, still in Drive, and held the brake about 30 seconds. Upon releasing it, the SUV lunged forward aggressively again, unlike normal creeping in Drive. I braked and shifted to Park. I cannot confirm if the RPMs increased over 5000, but it aggressively, quickly lunged forward again. My husband drove it another 90 minutes, briefly engaging/disengaging cruise several times. He noticed hesitation or sputtering, especially uphill, but no repeat of the severe acceleration. A short drive the next morning without cruise was normal. Earlier XXX, blind-spot mirror warnings failed to illuminate for about four passing vehicles, then resumed. A low key-fob battery alert appeared the prior week; a large windshield crack was noticed XXX. Connections are unknown. Nissan Roadside was contacted XXX. Tow/inspection is pending after an initial tow was canceled because the SUV would be left outside a locked dealer gate. The vehicle is available for inspection; no diagnosis yet. Please investigate unintended acceleration, brakes, throttle, ProPILOT/cruise and preserve any available electronic/event data. We narrowly avoided serious collisions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5

Filed Feb 1, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · IL

On April 7, 2025, the dealership attempted to sell me a vehicle that was experiencing an engine condition running too lean. I declined that vehicle due to safety concerns. On April 8, 2025, the salesperson contacted me again and stated that a different vehicle had been located that would meet my needs. At that time, I was nine months pregnant and urgently needed a vehicle with third-row seating for my children. The dealership was aware of my condition and urgency. I took delivery of the vehicle that day. Unexpectedly, I went into labor the following day and gave birth shortly after. Because of childbirth and medical recovery, I did not immediately operate the vehicle extensively or discover the safety issues. After being discharged from the hospital, around April 11, 2025, I began using the vehicle and discovered serious mechanical problems that made the vehicle unsafe to operate. The vehicle exhibited engine-related issues and a major suspension defect that affected vehicle stability and safe operation. The vehicle was returned to the dealership, where repairs were performed and parts were ordered, confirming that the defects existed prior to or at the time of delivery. Despite the vehicle being driven a significant distance immediately before sale, the dealership did not perform a basic oil change or standard post-delivery inspection. Operating a vehicle under these conditions raises concerns for engine reliability, overheating, and failure. The suspension defect created risk of loss of control, and the engine condition created risk of drivability issues. These conditions posed a safety risk to the driver and passengers, including a newborn child. The vehicle remains available for inspection if requested.

Filed Jul 22, 2025 · Body, Transmission · 48,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and the transmission overheated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission cooler had leaked transmission fluid and needed to be replaced. The transmission cooler was replaced but the failure persisted. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear hatch door opened unintendedly. The contact stated that while attempting to retrieve items from the rear hatch area, the electronic hatch door closed unexpectedly. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Transmission · 158,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a significant delay in the vehicle response. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the vehicle had overheated while driving and had failed to shift beyond first or second gear on some occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle had overheated and had stalled on other occasions, and the vehicle would become drivable after half an hour. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · MA

Nissan Pathfinder vehicles to repair the CVT transmission fluid cooler hose (inter-cooler). The internal fluid cooler (ITOC) hose may detach from the cooler due to inadequate clamping force. Inter-coolers may overheat, fail operation causing leaks and possible fires. If this occurs, the CVT transmission fluid will begin to slowly leak and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate on the instrument panel. If the MIL is ignored, the CVT transmission fluid will drain further, resulting in noise, vibration and possible fire. If this is ignored, eventually the CVT transmission will no longer operate properly and the The vehicle will stop accelerating, which could increase the risk of a crash and endangerment. Rear hatch on some 2017 Nissan Pathfinders. Specifically, some brackets used to attach the gas struts to the rear door (hatch) may be improperly made, potentially causing the struts to detach from the brackets when opening or closing the door. This could cause the hatch to fall rapidly, potentially striking someone. Identified as 18V‑601, that includes the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder for a potential issue where the lift-gate (back hatch) may not lock properly, this will allow lift-gate to open while driving, not lock securely, potentially allowing someone to fall out of moving vehicle.

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My car is saying hybrid battery overheating theres a recall for it but not for my vin and they won't fix it

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Engine · 64,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that soon after starting the vehicle, the engine started to overheat with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot(H). The contact also stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle started losing motive power. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Engine · MO

Overheating, Burning Smell, Shuddering, Transmission Failure. The Safety concerns are that the vehicle will shut off/stall involuntarily The Safety Problem has been confirmed by a dealer. The Vehicle hasn’t been inspected by the Manufacture since 2017 by its previous owner. It was a pre-owned vehicle when I purchased it in 2023. I am not able to transport the vehicle to Nissan due to the CVT safety concern. [XXX] The Check Engine Light came on the same day the issue was discovered. I drove it to O’Reillys then towed it to my personal mechanic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · IN

The automatic collision breaking system light just came on. I turned it off and waited a while. I was fine for two days then came back on and stayed on. Took it to the dealer and they said I must have hit something because the sensors were not aligned. I explained I had hit nothing. There is no damage at all to the bumper. No accident reports no damage nothing but they insisted I “must have hit something.” Light when off again for about a day then came back on. Radio turns off and on randomly. Had an engine overheating after I turned the car on a 56 degree day.

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Engine · CA

My car (2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid) has been stuttering/juddering as it has been described by other users. took to my local mechanic who found the software needed to be updated. he was nice enough to take to the local Nissan dealer (San Leandro) phone (510) 347-3030 who did a software upgrade. since then, the juddering/stuttering is a lot worse and doing things it has not done before. they are saying I need a new transmission which does not sit well with me because the car is worse off from the software upgrade that they performed. it was doing much better prior to that. now I get a couple error messages one of which says the hybrid system is overheated - how could it be overheating soon after starting the car first thing in the morning when it has not been running all night. it never did this before. I also get an I-key system error which never popped up before either. in addition, the car has stopped in the middle of the road while street driving which can be a dangerous event! i have called Nissan consumer affairs and they were pretty useless. all they could do is place a dealership complaint. please help.