2014 Nissan Pathfinder Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 573 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 11 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2014 Nissan Pathfinder receives a 3.3/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 573 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 11 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports with a median failure point at 38,000 miles (IQR: 5,000 – 84,000 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $1,400 – $3,800 .
95.5 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
11 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“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...”
“I purchased the car July 2024 by November 2024 the transmission failed and had to be replaced. Replaced, not repaired. By October 2025 it failed again. The car sputtered and then would not drive. This time the dealer said other repairs had to be done first before they would of...”
“Rear Door / lift gate will not go all the way up or stay up without manual assistance, causing 2 head injuries and 2 arm injuries on recent occasions. We have confirmed with the dealer & one Nissan Certified Mechanic that this is a common problem. The dealer & 2 mechanics have...”
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“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...”
“I purchased the car July 2024 by November 2024 the transmission failed and had to be replaced. Replaced, not repaired. By October 2025 it failed again. The car sputtered and then would not drive. This time the dealer said other repairs had to be done first before they would of...”
“Rear Door / lift gate will not go all the way up or stay up without manual assistance, causing 2 head injuries and 2 arm injuries on recent occasions. We have confirmed with the dealer & one Nissan Certified Mechanic that this is a common problem. The dealer & 2 mechanics have...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“1.) The engine makes extremely loud running noise after pressing gas pedal. It is available for inspection. 2.) no NOTICEABLE safety of occupants was place at risk. We will say the deafening sound of the engine when accelerating is unsettling. 2a) The vehicle struggles to acce...”
“Good morning I am sure you are well aware of the cvt transmission problems with the Nissan pathfinder 2014. . Well I just join the group of Nissan ... drivers . I had my cvt transmission replaced and I am still getting the judder as they call it each time I accelerate. Mileage...”
“The transmission jerking/shuddering problem has been ongoing in the Nissan Pathfinder ever since a safety recall in 2014. Passenger airbag light is always on, even if an adult is seated there. The airbag warning light flashes on the dashboard. Nissan’s OCS system seems to be f...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that it had rained heavily for two days, and the contact became aware that there was a significant amount of water accumulated on the front passenger's and driver's side floorboards and underneath the seats. Additio...”
“1 The CVT Transmission Failed, It is available, but it has to be towed. 2 While we drove down the expressway the transmission began to slip and skip gears in mid traffic at about 60 mph and at one point it stops pulling and I pull off the road and stopped but then it would not...”
“Brake lights staying on and when pressing down on gas no acceleration. Car stalls and when pressing on gas again acceleration accrues.. very dangerous”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“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...”
“Driver's side (left) rear trailing arm broke away from the rear subframe mount due to excessive rust and corrosion. In addition to the failed trailing arm mount location, the mount to the body in the same location also rusted through.”
“The car started making a very annoying squeak from the left rear when going over bumps or entering and exiting the car. I took it to my local mechanic to investigate the problem. He discovered the rear suspension sub-frame was rusted out where it attaches to the car body. I wa...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“My car is saying hybrid battery overheating theres a recall for it but not for my vin and they won't fix it”
“CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUES. JUDDERING, LOST SPRRD DOWNSHIFT JERKS. GOING 70 ON HIGHWAY IT LOST SPEED JERKED ME AROUND LIKE I AM GETTING HIT. COULDN'T EVEN GO UP RAMP ON HIGHWAY. Its hard to believe that NHTSA dose not have a ban on these vehicals. There are many complaints and Ni...”
“Alternator failed, Broken Tensioner, Catalytic converters bad, Engine misfiring, Brake failure. Discovered odometer disclosure is incorrect and VIN is wrong on the inspection certification. Odometers to the best of my knowledge only move forward, not backward unless they are t...”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“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, tr...”
“I GOT NEW TRANSMISSION AND DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR ALTERNATOR BATTERY AND FUEL PUMP AND AFTER I GOT MY CAR BACK NOT TO MENTION THE DEALERSHIP STOLE EVERYTHING FROM MY CAR AND MY CAR WAS AS TILL THE SAME AND THEY SAID MY WARRANTY WAS UP AND I BARELY DROV E IT AROUND...”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DECELERATING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOOSE FUEL CAP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE ...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (11)
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: 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.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Pathfinder and Rogue vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The right side wheels of the affected vehicles may have one lug nut each that was not properly tightened.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles manufactured June 20, 2012, to November 18, 2013, 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid vehicles manufactured July 18, 2013, to November 18, 2013, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles manufactured November 29, 2011, to June 14, 2013, and 2014 QX60 vehicles manufactured May 16, 2013, to November 18, 2013, and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles manufactured July 18, 2013, to November 18, 2013. In the affected vehicles the hood release cable assembly may have been installed incorrectly preventing the latching claw from fully engaging. The secondary latch may remain in the open position when the hood is closed.
SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles manufactured August 14, 2014, to November 5, 2014, and 2014-2015 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured August 12, 2014, to November 15, 2014. During the assembly process, the front wheel hub assembly fasteners may not have been properly torqued.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Summary: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles manufactured April 18, 2012, through September 20, 2013; model year 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through January 16, 2013; and model year 2014 Infiniti QX60 vehicles manufactured January 17, 2013, through September 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, during light braking on rough roads, the antilock brake system (ABS) brake pressure output software may lead to an increase in stopping distance.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: Nissan North America Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2014 Pathfinders manufactured from July 25, 2013, to September 5, 2013 with Almond interiors only. The instrument panel tear seam on the passenger frontal air bag was incorrectly cut on the back side of the instrument panel which could cause the air bag to not deploy properly.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Summary: 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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Pathfinder vehicles. On certain Pathfinder vehicles, the secondary hood latch may malfunction and remain in the unlatched, unsecured, position when the hood is closed.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
Before purchasing a used 2014 Nissan Pathfinder, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
Is the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder a reliable used car?
The 2014 Nissan Pathfinder earns a 3.3/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 573 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?
The leading complaint category is Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports, with a median failure point around 38,000 miles (IQR: 5,000 – 84,000 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?
Yes, the NHTSA records 11 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.