Nissan Pathfinder sudden acceleration 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 Sep 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 43,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N). The check engine, seat belt, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle briefly experienced unintended acceleration without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The transmission failed to shift to drive(D) and remained stuck in neutral(N). The contact drove the vehicle at reduced speeds to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the mass air flow (MAF) sensor had failed and there was carbon buildup in the throttle body. The contact was informed that MAF sensor and throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Acceleration · MA

On July 20, 2026, my 2023 Nissan Pathfinder failed to accelerate after stopping at a red light. The engine did not rev, and the vehicle barely moved despite accelerator input. After 40 seconds the car start moving normally. I got the car towed to the dealership. The dealer could not reproduce the condition and reprogrammed the ECM under TSB NTB25-012. They mentioned they performed a software update and they said the issue should not returned. On July 22, 2026, the same failure occurred again at a red light. The vehicle had almost no acceleration for approximately 30–40 seconds, then suddenly accelerated and nearly struck the vehicle ahead. No collision or injury occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and is considered unsafe to drive.

Filed Dec 21, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · FL

VIN [XXX] Date of Incident: December 21, 2025 Location: I-295 South, merging onto I-95 South, Jacksonville, FL Vehicle: 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, VIN [XXX] Owner: [XXX] Witness: [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] Email Address: [XXX] Incident Description: While driving on I-295 South, merging onto I-95 South at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The gas pedal became completely stuck to the floor, and I had to keep my foot on the brakes to try to slow the vehicle. Every time I lifted my foot off the brakes, the car would accelerate again. I had to gently pat the brakes repeatedly to slow the vehicle. Once I was finally able to slow the vehicle and bring it to a stop while keeping my foot on the brakes, I tried to shift the car into Park, but it would not go into Park and the gas pedal remained stuck to the floor. I had to turn off the engine completely before the gas pedal released and the car could be shifted into Park. My husband, Alan Moore, was in the car and witnessed all of these events. This incident created a life-threatening situation. The vehicle had previously been taken to the dealership for fuel consumption issues, but no problem was found at that time. Additional Information: The vehicle is unsafe to drive, and I am requesting immediate escalation to Nissan North America for buyback or replacement, as well as a loaner vehicle while this matter is under review. VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 30, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · NY

As I was driving my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed and the gas pedal became stuck. I tried to press on the brake as much as possible but the vehicle was not successfully able to be stopped which caused a terrible motor vehicle accident.

Filed Feb 19, 2023 · FL

I was stopped at an intersection red light. One vehicle was in front of me. I had the Auto Hold activated. After stopping, I removed my foot from the brake pedal. The light was still red when my vehicle suddenly lunged forward (I did NOT put my foot on the gas pedal) and hit the vehicle in front of me. Fortunately, it was a truck with a hitch on the rear. There was no damage to the other vehicle, but the hitch went into the lower grill of my vehicle, causing damage to the grill and to the sensor located behind the grill. I reported the incident to Nissan and they sent a rep to run diagnostic tests on my vehicle. I requested a copy of the report and am NOT at all satisfied with what I received or was told. The person that I have been in touch with about this has not been willing to proceed with any further explanation of the report. Her name is [XXX] and the case is #[XXX]. I am concerned that this incident is a safety hazard. Please let me know what step(s) I can proceed with now. Thank you. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Transmission · 80,700 miles · CA

Original transmission replaced in march 2018 with error code p17f0 due to transmission shuddering. Recently started having same issues happen again, while driving home from work, noticed sudden acceleration delay when at stopped positions/low speed positions. Vehicle noise has become very loud when idle or low speed. Took it into nissan dealer, they were able to replicate error and identified same issue. Since no error code, the warranty department stated cannot be fixed because there's no code. Nissan has recommended driving around until error code pops up - 3000km/3mos left on extended warranty. If error code doesn't get stored, I'm told they can't fix. Taking back in for re-diagnosis as transmission noise is unbearable

Filed Jul 5, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 6,100 miles · IL

The front radar safety feature deactivates and the amber front collision warning light comes on. The speed control feature is disabled when the radar is not active. When the system finally kicks in the speed control suddenly accelerates without warning. The sudden on/off scenario is dangerous and what was supposed to be a safety feature is now actually a hazard. A car should not unexpectedly accelerate to the speed control limit 10-15 minutes after it was set.

Filed Nov 4, 2016 · Engine · 134,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 nissan pathfinder. While driving 50 MPH and merging into the slow lane, the vehicle aggressively lunged forward. The vehicle shook vigorously and the check engine and check oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was engine sludge. The transmission and radiator failed due to the external cooler failure. The radiator, transmission, and external cooler all needed to be replaced with aftermarket parts, according to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.