Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2017 | 6 | 3% | 12,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 8 | 2% | 74,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 1% | 47,000 miles |
| 2013 | 13 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 22,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | 142,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% | 175,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact observed a melted spot and soot on the bottom of the front passenger's side headlight assembly. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop, where it was determined that the front passenger's side headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,300.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the radio and other electrical features were operable. The contact stated that the vehicle was jump-started. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the stop lamp switch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the stop lamp switch to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Recently, I have noticed that my SUV has not had good luminating ability so I naturally assumed it was a faulty or weak bulb. I have since then changed the bulbs to LED and still the same issue exists, I cannot see 3 feet in front of me at night. It is a danger to me, my occupants and others. It seems that the headlamp assembly is delaminating from the inside causing the reflective piece to become ineffective, regardless of how strong of a bulb you have. I researched this issue and seems to be prevalent in Nissans, in fact, Nissan had a recall on their Nissan Altima headlamps for the same reason. That recall ended last year but did not include my vehicle. Please help me since each assembly is approximately $250-$300 each, plus installation.
While driving and going down the highway my vehicles HUD and all electronics inside the vehicle will just randomly kick out momentarily for not no more the 30seconds, but the head lights stay one and the car still runs. It kicks the cruise control off and this just started happening.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the rear brake lights failed to illuminate when the vehicle was parked. The contact depressed the brake pedal to disengage the brake lights. While driving at various speeds, the brake lights illuminated without the brake pedal being depressed. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there were recalls associated with the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V020000 (Exterior Lighting) and was repaired in 2021. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated after releasing the brake pedal. The ABS warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that front brake pads were low however, the contact was not offered any further information. The manufacturer was also notified of the issue informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V020000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Pressing the gas pedal from a full stop resulted in no car accleration (aside from normal car rolling forward from taking foot off of brake) and no engine 'acceleration'. Only when I pressed hard enough did the car suddenly lurch forward/accelerate. This is very risky, as I had been making a turn I would potentially be blocking the incoming lane. In addition, after parking in a parking lot, and turning off the car, I noticed that the brake lights were still lit up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. On several occasions, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact also stated that the brake lights would occasionally illuminate without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to ancira Nissan (located at 10835 I-10, san antonio, tx 78230, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the brake lamp switch malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V380000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, either re-install the brake light switch or swap positions with the Automatic Speed Control Device (ASCD) switch; depending on the model year…
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake light switch and, as necessary, replace the relay, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2016.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (13), 2015 (8), 2014 (7) and 2017 (6) model years. Headlight complaints make up 1% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Nissan Pathfinder headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 21V-020 (switch, Jan 20, 2021); 16V-380 (switch, May 31, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Pathfinder headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights (6 mentions), followed by the brake lights › switch (3).
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.