Recalls & faults: Nissan R52 Pathfinder (2013-20)

Recalls: Nissan R52 Pathfinder

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Nissan R52 Pathfinder

2013 Nissan R52 Pathfinder: bonnet may open while driving

In February 2015, a recall was issued for Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles that were manufactured from May 2013 to November 2013. If the primary bonnet latch for these vehicles was not engaged, the secondary bonnet latch may not hold the bonnet closed as designed while the vehicle was in motion. If this occurred, the bonnet may open while driving and obscure the driver’s vision, posing an accident hazard. The VINs of the recalled vehicles were in the range 5N1AR2M****600008 to 5N1AR2M****650382, though not all vehicles within this range were recalled (PRA 2015/14535).

2013 Nissan R52 Pathfinder: stop lamp switches could malfunction

In June 2016, a recall was issued for three Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles that were manufactured in May 2013 and had the following VINs: 5N1AR2MM8EC600009, 5N1AR2MM6EC600008 and 5N1AR2MM4EC600010. The stop lamp switches in these vehicles may have been incorrectly installed and could malfunction, causing the stop lamps to remain illuminated when the brakes were not applied; this condition could also negate the brake-shift interlock function. Movement of the gear selector out of ‘Park’ position, or starting the engine, without depressing the brake pedal could therefore pose an accident hazard (PRA 2016/15433).

Nissan R52 Pathfinder: potential fuel leak from fuel tank

In January 2017, a recall was issued for Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles. In these vehicles, the thickness of the fuel tank wall may have been less than the design specification. In the event of a collision, the fuel tank may fracture and enable fuel to leak. The recalled Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles had VINs in the range 5N1AR2M**FC724615 to 5N1AR2M**FC724817 (PRA 2017/15862).

Nissan R52.I Pathfinder: accessory nudge bar may detach

In December 2017, a recall was issued for Nissan R52 Series I (R52.I) Pathfinder vehicles that were fitted with Nissan genuine accessory nudge bars. Due to insufficient bolt torque, the nudge bar roll hoop fixing bolts could come loose – this could cause the roll hoop to rattle and, in rare instances, to detach from the vehicle (PRA 2017/16459).

2016 Nissan R52 Pathfinder: ABS actuator seal could leak brake fluid

In October 2018, recall campaign R1807 was issued for 2016 Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles. For these vehicles, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) actuator may have had an oil seal that could cause internal brake fluid leaks. If brake fluid leaked, an ABS warning lamp would illuminate to alert the driver. If the vehicle continued to be driven in this condition, the brake fluid leak may cause an electrical short circuit in the actuator circuit – in rare cases, this could lead to a fire. For the VINs of the recalled Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17106.

2016-18 Nissan R52 Pathfinder: oil seal for ABS actuator could leak brake fluid

In November 2019, recall campaign R1916 was issued to expand recall campaign R1807 and applied to Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles that were produced from April 2016 to June 2018. The recalled R52 Pathfinder vehicles had an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) actuator oil seal that could leak brake fluid internally. If this occurred, an ABS warning lamp in the instrument cluster would illuminate to warn the driver. If the driver continued to use the vehicle in this condition, the brake fluid leak could create an electrical short circuit in the actuator circuit and this could lead to a fire. The recall works were expected to commence in mid-2020; until this time, drivers were advised that if the ABS warning light illuminated for 10 seconds or longer, then they should park the vehicle and contact Nissan Roadside Assistance. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17974.

2013-17 Nissan R52 Pathfinder: stop lamp relay may stick in the ‘ON’ position

In March 2021, recall campaign R20C1 was issued for Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 25 September 2013 to 31 January 2017. In these vehicles, the stop lamp relay may stick in the ‘ON’ position, causing the following:

1. The stop lamps mamy remain illuminated when the brakes were not being applied; or
2. Loss of engine power; or
3. The driver may be able to shift the vehicle out of part or start the engine without depressing the brake pedal.

These circumstances increased the risk of a collision and, as a result, injury or death to vehicle occupants or other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2021/18827.

2016-20 Nissan R52 Pathfinder Towbar

In April 2021, recall campaign AU211 was issued for Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles that were fitted with towbars that were available for sale in Australia from 1 December 2016 to 31 December 2020; the recalled towbars were from batch number ’29 18′ – this number could be found on the towbar’s compliance plate. Due to a manufacturing issue, there may be weld separation on the right hand side of the towbar attachment bracket. As a result, the towbar cross member and bracket could separate and the towbar could detach from the vehicle. If the towbar detached from the vehicle while it was being driven, this would cause a loss of control of the trailer and increase the risk of a collision, in turn increasing the risk of injury for vehicle occupants and/or other road users. For this recall, affected towbars were to be replaced. For the VINs of the vehicles that were compatible with this towbar, please see PRA 2021/18902.

Problems and faults: Nissan R52 Pathfinder

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

Nissan R52 Pathfinder: CVT judder, hesitation and loss of power

The Nissan R52 Pathfinder has chain-driven continuously variable transmissions (the ‘JATCO CVT8HT’). These continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) are susceptible to ‘chain slip’ – also referred to as belt slip – which occurs when the chain fails to transfer power through the transmission to accelerate the vehicle. Symptoms of chain slip include:

• Juddering: when accelerating from rest or from speeds below 60 km/h, the vehicle may start to shake – this is known as juddering or shuddering; and,
• Loss of power: the vehicle may ‘hesitate’ as power is not transferred through the CVT to the wheels. Also, the tachometer may show engine speed decreasing.

Nissan North America has issued fourth technical bulletins regarding this CVT judder (described below) and, in October 2016, agreed to settle a class action law suit against it (Batista & others v. Nissan North America, Inc., Civil Action No. 14-24728-Civ-Scola). As part of the class action settlement:

• The powertrain warranty was extended by 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever occurred first). This extension, however, did not apply to the Automatic Transmission Control Unit (ATCU) and related software;
• Owners of affected Nissan Pathfinder vehicles would be notified of an ACTU software update that could set diagnostic trouble codes for detection of transmission judder; and,
• Owners of affected vehicles that underwent two or more repairs to their transmissions would be eligible for discounts on future purchases of a Nissan or Infiniti vehicle.

NTB13-002: TCM re-program to prevent CVT belt slip (January 2013)

In January 2013, Nissan North America issued technical bulletin NTB13-002 (Campaign ID: PC197) for 2013 Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles to re-program the Transmission Control Module (TCM) on certain 2013 model year Pathfinder vehicles. According to the bulletin, re-programming the TCM would prevent CVT belt slip from occurring; the re-programming was to be performed at no cost to owners.

In the letter to Pathfinder owners, Nissan described that ‘the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) belt may slip’ in some 2013 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles and that ‘[a]n indicator that the CVT belt has slipped is a shaking or a ‘judder’ from the CVT when coasting.’ Furthermore,

1. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition could lead to accelerate wear and damage to the CVT; and,
2. Failure to have the transmission re-programmed in a timely manner could result in damage to the vehicle’s transmission.

NTB13-064a: shudder from torque converter lock up clutch (June 2013)

In June 2013, Nissan North America issued technical bulletin NTB13-064a for 2013 Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles that had continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). The bulletin was intended to rectify vehicles where the driver experienced a shudder (‘multiple bumps’) on torque converter lock-up clutch engagement when:

• Vehicle speed was between 18 mph and 35 mph (29 km/h and 56 km/h);
• Throttle position was about 10 per cent;
• The shuddering stopped when more throttle was applied; and,
• No Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) were stored.

If, however, the shudder occurred at speeds below 18 mph or above 35 mph, then the bulletin did not apply.

To fix this condition,

• The torque converter (part number 31100-3WX0D) was to be replaced; and,
• The Transmission Control Module (TCM) was to be checked to see if it needed re-programming.

NTB13-086: judder during light acceleration (September 2013)

In September 2013, Nissan North America issued technical bulletin NTB13-086 for 2013-14 Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles that had continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). The bulletin was issued for R52 Pathfinder vehicles that may experience a judder (shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibrations) during light acceleration when:

• Vehicle speeds was between 5 mph and 35 mph (8 km/h and 56 km/h);
• Throttle position was about 10 per cent;
• The juddering would stop if more throttle was applied; and,
• No Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) were stored.

If re-programming the Transmission Control Module (TCM) did not resolve the problem,

1. The vehicle’s service history was to be verified; and,
2. Data was to be recorded and analysed using Consult III plus (C-III plus) as the symptom occurred.

For the Nissan R52 Pathfinder,

1. If the TCM had not been re-programmed as part of NTB13-002 before the vehicle had completed 1000 miles and the juddering was present, the CVT was to be replaced;
2. If the transmission had not been re-programmed as part of NTB13-002, then it was to be re-programmed. If the C-III plus data indicated that the judder was due to ‘pressure vibration’, then the CVT would be replaced; if the judder was due to ‘lock up shock’, then the torque converter would be replaced.

This suggests that CVTs in R52 Pathfinder vehicles that

1. had travelled more than 1000 miles; and
2. which had not had the re-programming performed,

had sustained damage such that the CVT had to be replaced.

NTB15-015b: CVT judder and DTC P17F0 or P17F1 (September 2015)

In September 2015, Nissan North America issued technical bulletin NTB15-015b for:

• All 2013 and 2014 Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles with V6 engines; and,
• 2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles that were –
  • Built after 5N1AR2MN(*)FC663717 (14 April 2015); or,
  • Built after 5N1AR2MM(*)FC663617 (14 April 2015).

If these Nissan R52 Pathfinder exhibited transmission judder (i.e. shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration), then diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) would determine the course of action –

• If DTC P17F1 (CVT_JUDDER (C/U INSPECTION)) was logged, then a CVT inspection was to be performed. Depending upon the inspection, either a control valve would be replaced or the CVT assembly would be replaced; and,
• If DTC P17F0 (CVT_JUDDER (T/M INSPECTION)) was logged, then the CVT assembly was to be replaced.

If neither of these codes were logged, however, then the technical bulletin did not apply.