# Nissan Pathfinder traction control light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 23 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (9) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 23 owner complaints about the traction control light on the Nissan Pathfinder (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (9). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. ## Nissan Pathfinder traction control light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the traction control light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 9 | 321 | 3% | | 2017 | 2 | 188 | 1% | | 2018 | 5 | 78 | 6% | | 2019 | 4 | 76 | 5% | | 2020 | 1 | 53 | 2% | | 2024 | 2 | 87 | 2% | 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. ## Nissan Pathfinder recalls related to the traction control light **[19V807000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V807000)** (2017-2019 models, reported 2019-11-08): A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. **[18V601000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V601000)** (2017-2018 models, reported 2018-09-07): A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire. **Remedy:** Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Nissan Pathfinder owners report - "Engine, ABS, Collison, Traction Control malfunction lights came on. I took it to the dealership and it was determined that the right wheel sensor was reading at 407 mph. After replacing the sensor, the lights came on within minutes of me leaving the dealership. The vehicle is at the dealership currently. With the..." -- owner of a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2025 - "The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, the ABS, traction control, and the Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle, and the warning lights were off. The vehicle was not taken to be..." -- owner of a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2025 - "This 2019 Nissan Pathfinder: The ABS, Traction Control, and Collision lights all illuminate at once on the vehicle's dash board. When the vehicle's engine is turned off and then back on, the lights reset. However, they illuminate once again." -- owner of a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the traction control light means A flashing traction control light is normal: it means the system is cutting power or braking a wheel to stop it from spinning on a slippery surface. A light that stays on means traction or stability control is turned off or has a fault, often a wheel speed sensor that also triggers the ABS light. The car drives normally, but it is easier to skid. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **System switched off** (common) 2. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (common) 3. **Engine fault disabling the system** (common) 4. **Steering angle sensor needs calibration** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Traction control light](/warning-lights/traction-control). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Nissan Pathfinder traction control light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (19V807000, 18V601000) covering 2017-2019 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Nissan Pathfinder years have the most traction control light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2018 and 2019 Pathfinder model years have the most complaints mentioning the traction control light, with 9 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 traction control light on? Drive to a shop this week. Yes, a car with a steady traction control light is safe to drive with extra care, since your normal brakes and steering still work. Slow down in rain, snow or ice, and get it checked soon if the ABS or red brake light is also on. ### 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 - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/nissan-pathfinder): 12 complaints ## Traction control light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ram-1500): 372 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-silverado): 337 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-wrangler): 247 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/gmc-sierra): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-traverse): 133 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-grand-cherokee): 132 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-colorado): 128 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/chevrolet-malibu): 110 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/jeep-cherokee): 92 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/ford-explorer): 81 complaints ## Nissan Pathfinder - [Nissan Pathfinder specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/nissan-pathfinder) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/nissan-pathfinder Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.