I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, purchased new in June 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced multiple recurring mechanical and safety concerns that remain unresolved despite approximately four dealership repair visits and nine days out of service. The vehicle experiences excessive vibration during startup, while idling, and when placed in reverse. It also makes a noticeable clunking noise when shifting into park and an intermittent metallic grinding noise during cold starts. At times, the vehicle feels as though it may stall, and the engine RPMs fluctuate while the air conditioning begins blowing warm air. Additionally, the vehicle has displayed a collision warning system malfunction, experienced an unexpected battery failure, and required strut replacement. Motor mount concerns have also been identified. Despite repeated dealership visits, several issues remain unresolved. The dealership has repeatedly stated that certain problems could not be duplicated, even though I have video evidence documenting some of the symptoms. I am concerned about the possibility of unexpected power loss, mechanical failure, and malfunctioning collision safety systems, particularly while transporting my children. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate these potential safety defects and determine whether other 2025 Nissan Pathfinder owners are experiencing similar issues.
Nissan Pathfinder stalling problems
383 of the 7,333 owner complaints about the Nissan Pathfinder describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 383
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,424
- typical mileage
- 88,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 45Fuel gauge 44Transmission failure 41Jerking 34Loss of power 28Shudder 26Overheating 18Hesitation 18
Trouble codes mentioned
P0463 2P1772 1
What owners say
The vehicle was in shop in March and April loosing power while driving. Had been good til a few weeks ago slowly started doing it again with codes and warning on dash could t duplicate I have pictures of dash . Picked up vehicle on Oct 21 returned on Oct 22 and they duplicated the car has now stalled when crossing lanes of traffic pulling out . I have asked for buy back but Nissan has said no .
I leased this 2024 Nissan Pathfinder new, and the issue began almost immediately, at approximately 13 miles. I initially noticed intermittent stuttering and the vehicle jumping or lurching forward following acceleration. Because I trusted the Nissan brand and initially assumed the behavior may have been related to normal vehicle operation or user error, I did not immediately pursue the issue. At approximately 21,000 miles, the problems became significantly more frequent and pronounced. I began experiencing unexpected engine shutoffs, as well as instances where the Auto Hold feature would fail to disengage when I attempted to accelerate. These incidents have occurred in carpool lines, pharmacy drive-through lines, at red lights, and at stop signs. The most concerning incident occurred when the vehicle stalled and shut off while I was stopped at a red light. Because the vehicle was immobile, I had to continuously honk to alert approaching drivers. A truck approaching from behind came dangerously close to rear-ending my vehicle. This incident raised serious concerns about the safety of the vehicle, particularly because I regularly transport my children. The unexpected engine shutoffs, stuttering/lurching, and failure of the vehicle to respond normally when accelerating present an ongoing safety concern. The vehicle has been taken to Nissan dealerships for inspection, and I have also reported these concerns to Nissan Consumer Affairs. Despite multiple service visits and reports, the issues have continued. Nissan has indicated that it has been unable to duplicate the condition. However, the circumstances under which I experience the problem are not necessarily replicated during dealership testing. For example, the vehicle has experienced these issues while sitting for extended periods in pharmacy drive-through lines, carpool pickup lines, and other stop-and-go situations, as well as while stopped at traffic signals and stop signs. I am reporting this vehicle to the federal safety agency
THIS is the third MAJOR safety that I have had at this point, with FOUR in total and that isn't the little things, that is the MAJOR SAFETY events where we've been terrified to drive the vehicle. I had washed my car in the car wash and after exiting about a mile down the street, the vehicle made a jar and all the lights on the dash started throwing malfunction errors like a Christmas tree again. I was stalled at the busy intersection. I had total loss of power and it was 98 outside by myself . I had two gentlemen help me try to get into neutral to get out of the busy intersection. We finally were able to get to the Walmart parking lot across the street. Called Nissan, the service team asked to disconnect battery etc and see, which we had already done, and then we did it again. I was terrified to drive to the dealership with it and when I did, AGAIN, NIssan responded with they cannot duplicate the codes, showing no codes, even after I showed them the photos. This vehicle is unsafe for anyone to drive it. Even if Nissan buys this back on a repurchase and then puts it on the road, someone or multiple fatalities will happen with this vehicle. WE believe their main communication system doesn't communicate . The Nissan app itself throws me ABS codes for weeks and they show no ABS codes on a separate incident. We have a vehicle that we are terrified to take on the road and can depend on. Nissan fails to acknowledge they have an issue with their safety systems. Also, while driving down the road about a week before this, the driver's door latch was just clicking up and down and literally trying to open the door going down the highway at 70 MPH. Another safety thing that happens continuously, the passenger safety indicators in the back seat, constantly error out. Nissan's response, they are aware of this one, just disable them. Well, I don't have children, however, seriously that is their advice if a child dies?
Component/system failure. Engine shut off while driving @ 70 mph. The car first shifted into neutral all on its own, system shows AT MALFUNCTION. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealership so it is available for inspection. Safety concern is that the vehicle died in 2nd left hand side of road my had my husband not been able to essentially coast and cross 2 lanes of traffic to get to shoulder the vehicle could have potential been sitting in the 2nd left hand lane where traffic was going 70 plus mph. The dealership has not been able to reproduce issue other than seeing the AT Malfunction code, the vehicle is not starting as it did on side of highway. No other inspections have been done to my knowledge. No messages or warnings appeared prior to the vehicle switching into neutral and turn off engine.
The car stalled three times and died in active traffic. The breakdown was so hazardous that the police department had to intervene and push the car out of the road and had to tow the car more than 3 times and was at the Nissan Dealership for over one week. I paid Nissan dealership $5,000 to repair this specific, life-threatening defect, but the car returned to me unfixed.The vehicle is unsafe and has been sitting parked at my house for 3 months because I cannot safely drive it. It keeps stalling, dying in traffic and making a loud grind noise. I need help.
2014 Nissan Parhfinder FWD Premium: this vehicles CVT joint failed that shirt the engine down to about 10 miles an hour immediately. Which caused me the driver to find a place to pull it off the road quickly. If a person or myself could not have a point to pull off the road or someone was behind then could have been rear ended the vehicle and major damage to the vehicle or person driving. Which there was and they were about to go around the pathfinder. The vehicle also may have blown the transmission. Unknown damage right now. But the pathfinder stalled out two times while driving it before it shut totally down on the hwy. I had contacted Nissan and we never got together on a date and time for a phone call with an Arbitration specialist. I had called them back several times and never could connect with them.
The vehicle has developed a persistent and progressively worsening rattling noise from the engine during cold starts, along with intermittent rough operation. The symptoms are consistent with a malfunction or defect in the engine timing chain system, including possible timing chain stretch, timing chain tensioner failure, or related internal engine components. This condition presents a serious safety concern because the timing chain controls engine valve timing. A failure or severe degradation of this system could result in sudden engine stalling or complete engine failure while driving, increasing the risk of a crash without warning, particularly in traffic or at highway speeds. The issue began as an intermittent startup rattle and has steadily progressed in frequency and severity. No consistent warning lights were present in the early stages, which may delay driver awareness of an impending failure condition. The vehicle has been inspected by a dealership service department, and the concern was acknowledged, but no repair or corrective action has been performed. The condition remains unresolved and continues to progress. Based on owner reports and service feedback for similar vehicles equipped with this engine, this issue appears to reflect a potential widespread defect pattern affecting the timing chain and/or tensioner system in this engine family, rather than an isolated incident. Multiple reports describe similar symptoms occurring around similar mileage ranges, suggesting a possible systemic reliability defect. The vehicle is currently still operable but is operating with a known and worsening engine defect that could result in catastrophic engine failure without warning.
While driving at highway speeds, my 2025 Nissan Pathfinder suddenly loses power and enters limp mode with no warning. The dashboard displays: “Engine Malfunction – Power Reduced – Service Now.” When this happens, the vehicle cannot accelerate and struggles to maintain speed, creating a serious safety hazard in traffic. This has occurred multiple times. First time was on January 6th - entered highway and car stalled, was able to pull over and have the car towed to the dealer and they stated, "cannot replicate the issue". Second time February 15th - car stalled on highway and Husband was able to pull over and restart the car. Third time was February 18th - car entered limp mode on the highway, car was towed to the dealer and they have yet again stated, "cannot replicate the issue". During each event, the Pathfinder rapidly decelerates, and I am forced to pull over immediately to avoid being hit from behind. The loss of propulsion happens suddenly and without any driver input. This places me and other drivers in danger, especially at high speeds and on icy Alaska roads. Two of the times was during snowstorms with low visibility. Attempts to Repair: I have taken the vehicle to the Nissan dealership. The dealer states they “cannot replicate the issue” and returns the vehicle without repair. However, the warning message and limp-mode event clearly indicate an engine or powertrain failure. The issue continues to reoccur despite these visits. Safety Concern: Because the vehicle loses power in fast-moving traffic and enters limp mode, it poses a substantial risk of collision or injury. This defect could cause a serious accident, especially at highway speeds or in winter driving conditions.
Vehicle stalled on highway during extremely low outside temperatures and snow covered roadway. Engine malfuction, reduced power error code briefly appeared followed by a complete engine stall. Vechicle had no power and immediately needed to be steered to safety. Near whiteout conditions lead to an extremely dangerous situation, nearly causing a nearly collision. Prior to this incident, the vehicle had been at the dealership for a similar issue without complete engine stall. Dealer could not diagnose issue as no OBD codes remain after engine failure. This is an extremely dangerous vehicle. Immediate action is required.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 infiniti fx, model year 2012 infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
- Risk
- If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 11V592000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing.
- Risk
- This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 10V517000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Pathfinder stalling
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (87 complaints), 2006 (78 complaints) and 2013 (50 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,424 (median of 39 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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