— A Nissan Pathfinder hood recall is finally beginning nearly three years after the recall was announced.
The Pathfinder hood recall was first announced in June 2022 for nearly 360,000 model year 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinders in the U.S. and Canada.
Nissan owners complain their Pathfinder hoods opened while driving, a problem blamed on dust and dirt contamination around the bell crank lever pivot joints.
The Pathfinder owner's manual instructs owners to inspect and maintain the secondary latch release lever, but the lack of maintenance combined with a buildup of dirt can cause the latch to remain in the open position after it has been disengaged.
Nissan also says contamination can scratch the protective anti-corrosion coating on the secondary latch, allowing corrosion of the bare metal in the pivot joint.
"The bell crank lever actuates the secondary hood latch. In such cases where the bell crank lever remains in the open position, if the primary hood latch is inadvertently released or the hood is not closed properly after engine service, the secondary hood latch may not hold the hood closed, as designed, while the vehicle is in motion." — Nissan
A Nissan Pathfinder driver may see the hood flutter or hear noise before it flies open.
The hood recall involves 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinders built from June 20, 2012, to July 27, 2016.
Pathfinder owners have been mailed interim recall letters since June 2022 reminding them about maintenance of the hood latch components and letting owners know they will be contacted when Nissan dealers are ready to repair the Pathfinder hoods.
It's taken nearly three years for Nissan to collect the necessary Pathfinder hood replacement parts, but dealerships are finally ready to make repairs. This recall supersedes all previous Nissan Pathfinder hood recall information.
Owners of 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinders may call 800-867-7669 and ask about hood recall number R24C6.