Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1)Vehicle has been repaired 3 times in the last 2 weeks for a brake switch issue that is causing the vehicle not to recognize the brake is pushed causing the car not being able to start. This has been an intermittent issue for 18 months and was told the recall fixed it, which it didn't. 2)Dealership service department is now telling me that other issues have arisen since trying to fix issue #1. The car is revving to 5000 rpms, the car is automatically going to manual 1, and the car is hitting speeds of 40mph without touching the pedal.
While driving my Pathfinder, the transmission hesitated, jerked, and spuddered while trying to merge into traffic. Almost caused a severe accident. This was not the first time this has happened and Nissan refuses to do anything about the CVT transmission that apparently has been recalled in the past as well as had lawsuits against it. There are no warning lights or notice at all before this happens.
2015 pathfinder will intermittently not accelerate while driving. Occurs mostly after being at a stop. Has also occurred while in motion in a 35 mph zone. The traction control light will illuminate and stay on until vehicle is shut off and restarted. This is dangerous and will eventually cause a crash.
I was driving vehicle and was at light to enter freeway went to accelerate and nothing happened but car would rev normal in park pulled over in traffic and almost got in a wreck with family in side is very unsafe
I purchased my Nissan in August of 2018. It only had a little over 23K miles. On 12/22/2018 I took my vehicle to baron Nissan where I purchased it and advised that the vehicle would not accel when speed was below 20 miles per hour. If I attempted to slow down and then begin to accel again the vehicle would not move. It just rolls as I press the gas pedal many times. Then all of a sudden the vehicle would begin to accel. The dealer advised the stop lamp switch needed to be replaced and it was covered under warranty. I left with the vehicle and then two days later I began to have the same issue again. It is random and you never can tell when it's going to happen. This is very dangerous when attempting to get on a highway or making a left turn and the car doesn't accelerate. Car went back to baron Nissan on 12/29/2018. …
While driving my Pathfinder on major highways and roads, I would be merging into traffic, turning onto a road and just trying to accelerate. The vehicle often loses all power and decelerates. I have placed the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and yet have no power. It takes at least 10-15 seconds to regain power and be able to accelerate again. Often times I've been close to being rear ended, especially on major highways, with my 2 month old niece in the vehicle with me by tractor trailers. I fear for the safety of myself and anyone in the car with me, as well as other drivers who have potential to rear end me as I lose power. …
Vehicle will not accelerate when stopped at light, stop sign, switching from reverse to drive intermittently. This happens when it wants to. The brake light switch was replaced a couple weeks ago when the brake lights were noticed to not shut off and vehicle would turn on without pressing the brake pedal. Seemed to fix the situation but now again having the same issues. Bringing car back to Nissan dealer for repair. Found that years prior there was a safety recall but not for the 2015. This is very dangerous especially when pulling out in front of traffic. Car will not accelerate until brake pedal is pressed or letting off the gas pedal, then reengaging. This is in city or stopped then accelerating to ramp to get onto the highway. Brake lights stay on which is also hazardous when others wouldn't know when I'm actually stopping. …
I have a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. I had my transmission changed under warranty after two years and 8 months later I've started to have acceleration problems and the break lights stay on after the vehicle is turned off. Usually after a complete stop or yielding I can push the gas pedal to the floor and nothing will happen for several seconds. I actually thought the car turned off the first time it happened. I took it to the dealer and they couldn't duplicate the issue. One week later the same thing happened again. This time I called Nissan corporation and was provided a case number and told to take it back to the dealer. The dealer had the car for 4 days and once again stated they couldn't find anything. Two days after picking the car up, it did the exact same thing. Once again I called Nissan corporation and left them a message. …
Break lights will stay on even if the car is parked. It will stay on while driving. When this happens I have to disconnect the battery for the break lights to go off. Rediculous! The other issue is loss of power. Usually when this happens the skid dummy light will turn on and stay on. When accelerating from a complete stop, the car will not go when I push the gas. Even if the accelerator is fully depressed the car will not move. This also occurs while in motion. It has happened while trying to accelerate onto the highway and there was loss of power. I have almost gotten into several accidents with my children in the car and from my research I am not the only owner of Pathfinder that this has happened to. This is a total safety issue and the vehicle needs to be recalled before some one is seriously injured or killed!!!
On multiple occasions (at least 6 - twice within 10 minutes of each other), when turning after slowing down or being at a complete stop, the car seems to lose power. It will not accelerate unless your foot is taken off the gas pedal and the gas pedal is pressed down again. It a a safety concern because there has been oncoming traffic when this has happened. An accident is bound to occur. The car dealer can't isolate the issue. Their recommendation is to replace the ABS module which they think might fix the problem.. The cost is $2100 for the part alone to repair what they hope will fix it. This should absolutely be a recall.
Acceleration complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, 8% of the model year's 321 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Nissan Pathfinder acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.