# Nissan Pathfinder power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 12 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (3) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 12 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Nissan Pathfinder (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (3). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Nissan Pathfinder power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 3 | 321 | 1% | | 2016 | 1 | 107 | 1% | | 2017 | 2 | 188 | 1% | | 2018 | 1 | 78 | 1% | | 2019 | 1 | 76 | 1% | | 2022 | 2 | 137 | 1% | | 2026 | 2 | 15 | 13% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Nissan Pathfinder power steering warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Nissan Pathfinder has 17 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Nissan Pathfinder page](/vehicles/nissan-pathfinder) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Nissan Pathfinder owners report - "All steering assist was turned off so that is not the issue. This has happened 4 times now on grooved roads. Tires are correctly inflated to manufactures advised weight." -- owner of a 2026 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2026 - "The steering assist randomly pulls to the left when turned on. The dealership did replace the front struts and realign the vehicle, but the issue was never resolved. We manually turned the feature off." -- owner of a 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2023 - "...oil blowby, severe exhaust smoke, severe engine sludge, severe engine shuddering, and lack of response to the power steering because of engine power loss. The failure of the PCV system was at fault. Produced codes P0300, P0306, and P0430. Engine sludge needed to be cleaned, PCV hoses and PCV needed to be replaced,..." -- owner of a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Nissan Pathfinder power steering light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Nissan Pathfinder years have the most power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2022 Pathfinder model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 3 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Nissan Pathfinder with the power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### How do I check if my Nissan Pathfinder has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Nissan dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Nissan Pathfinder warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/nissan-pathfinder): 14 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-pathfinder): 48 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/nissan-pathfinder): 15 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/nissan-pathfinder): 48 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/nissan-pathfinder): 29 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/nissan-pathfinder): 23 complaints ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Nissan Pathfinder - [Nissan Pathfinder specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/nissan-pathfinder) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/nissan-pathfinder Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.