YearToAvoid

2015 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 94 of 320 total complaints (29%) filed for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, with a median failure mileage of 49,288 miles. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
94
29% of 320
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
49,288 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of acceleration or power while driving at speeds around 20 to 35 mph, sometimes with the engine acting as if it were in neutral.
  • Radiator cooling fan wobbling, grinding, or breaking, sometimes disabling one of the two fans and raising overheating concerns.
  • Engine jolting or jerking while in park, with owners reporting repeated repair visits and multiple ignition coil or plug wire replacements that did not resolve the issue.
  • Shuddering or stuttering sensations when transitioning between gears, described by one owner as tied to a Pathfinder recall.
  • Engine sputtering during startup accompanied by white smoke, with one owner reporting a dealer recommendation to replace both the engine and transmission.
  • Unusual noises from the coolant fan or air conditioning unit traced to a failed coolant fan assembly.

When 2015 Nissan Pathfinder engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 16, 2015, latest Mar 3, 2026.

2015 Nissan Pathfinder engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter192015 Q32018 Q12019 Q12020 Q12021 Q12023 Q12024 Q2
94 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q3 to 2026 Q1; peak 2019 Q1 (19).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Pathfinder model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20109 (23%)
  2. 201110 (22%)
  3. 20126 (26%)
  4. 2013150 (17%)
  5. 201486 (15%)
  6. 201594 (29%)
  7. 201630 (29%)
  8. 201787 (47%)
  9. 201822 (29%)
  10. 201921 (28%)
  11. 202018 (38%)
  12. 202224 (18%)
  13. 202318 (17%)
  14. 202421 (26%)
  15. 202510 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA lists 94 engine-related complaints for the 2015 Pathfinder, which is 29% of all 320 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for this engine issue, though some owners referenced a separate Pathfinder recall.
At what mileage do engine problems usually appear on the 2015 Pathfinder?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 49,288 miles.
Did the engine issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data links 1 crash to complaints in this area for the 2015 Pathfinder, with no fires or injuries reported.
How does the 2015 Pathfinder compare to other model years for engine complaints?
The 29% share for 2015 is higher than 2013 (17%) and 2014 (15%), but lower than 2017, which had a 47% share of engine complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.