Franklin, TN – July 2, 2022 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) is recalling 322,671 2013–2016 Nissan Pathfinder SUVs whose hoods may fly open while driving. This obstructs the driver’s field of view, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.
This recall follows on the heels of a U.S. government investigation.
Recall summary
The hood on a vehicle is held shut by two mechanisms: the primary latch, which is released when the driver pulls the lever inside the cabin, and the secondary (safety) latch, which is manually released under the front edge of the hood.
On vehicles affected by this Nissan Pathfinder recall, dust and dirt from the road may create buildup inside the secondary locking mechanism. If that happens, the mechanism may jam in an open position. While the hood will remain securely closed, nothing will stop it from flying open if the driver accidentally pulls the primary latch release lever while driving.
Background of the recall
These hood latch issues were investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in December 2021, as reported.
The 2014-2016 Pathfinder Hybrids are also subject to the same investigation, which is still ongoing.
Recall risks
In addition to significantly limiting visibility, a suddenly opening hood may startle the driver. This could lead to a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
Other Nissan recalls
A Nissan recall from October 2021 addressed software-related stalling and included Murano, Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles.
In January 2022, Nissan recalled a large number of Rogue SUVs over a risk of fire caused by wiring issues, as reported.
The repair
At this time, the manufacturer is still working on a solution. As a first step, 40,000 owners will be asked to bring their SUVs to a dealer that will inspect the latch assembly and replace it if necessary. Nissan will collect the faulty components for examination. Owners of these vehicles will receive notifications on or after June 30, 2022.
The remaining owners will receive instructions on how to inspect the secondary latch. If a problem is found, owners can visit a dealer for inspection and replacement. Notifications about this temporary solution will be sent by August 3, 2022.
Lastly, all owners of affected vehicles will be notified once the final remedy is ready.
Is your vehicle a part of this recall?
This Nissan Pathfinder hood latch recall includes more than 300,000 SUVs. Use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to do a Nissan recall check.
