Sudden braking, sudden deceleration and random system shutdowns have plagued Nissan Pathfinders with Forward or Automatic Emergency Braking. A class action lawsuit alleges that 2017–2019 Nissan Pathfinders with FEB or AEB systems randomly brake in unsafe driving situations. However, these problems may not be limited to those model years; 2020 and newer Nissan Pathfinders with AEB systems may experience these alleged defects.
The Forward or Automatic Emergency Braking uses radars and sensors to detect objects in front of the vehicle. If an object is detected, the FEB or AEB system is supposed to warn the driver of an imminent crash.
If the driver doesn’t respond in time, the FEB or AEB system is supposed to trigger the brakes. However, defects in these FEB or AEB systems may cause the vehicle to brake at random.
To highlight issues with Nissan Pathfinders and Forward/Automatic Emergency Braking, we have compiled some complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Please note that the complaints on Nissan Pathfinder AEB systems have been edited for grammar and clarity.
2017 Nissan Pathfinder
While driving with the cruise control on going 72 mph, the FEB (front emergency braking) shut off and caused the cruise control to kick off, almost causing a wreck due to the sudden decrease in speed the car behind me almost rear-ended me. There is no way to disable the FEB and still use cruise control.
2017 Nissan Pathfinder
My emergency braking keeps sending me alerts when there is nothing in front of me. I’m getting messages that the system is disabled because of an obstruction. This happens a lot of times when it’s raining out. I have open a complaint with Nissan. The dealer tells me rain can affect the system. When the weather is bad is when you need the system the most.
2017 Nissan Pathfinder
Most notably, when I’m using adaptive cruise control, my cruise control disengages and my car alerts me that the FEB [forward emergency braking] – aka – automatic emergency braking – is “Unavailable” due to “Front radar obstruction” this happens at very random times, at least every other day, during normal highway and city driving. It is always a clear day, never a drop of rain, not even running over a random bump in the road or a pothole. Then randomly, anywhere between what feels like 5-30 minutes after initial alert, the warning clears itself. I purchased the car used in July 2020 and this has been a constant annoyance ever since. I’m aware that other Nissan models around the same year (2017) have been having the same issues with the sensor.
2018 Nissan Pathfinder
The front radar safety feature deactivates and the front collision warning light comes on. The speed control feature is disabled when the radar is not active. When the system finally kicks in, the speed control suddenly accelerates without warning. The sudden on/off scenario is dangerous and what was supposed to be a safety feature is now actually a hazard. A car should not unexpectedly accelerate to the speed control limit 10-15 minutes after it was set.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder
I was in an accident. The AEB (automatic emergency braking system) was active. The car was in motion until impacting a Mercedes. […] I saw no warning lights on the dash during motion or crash time, driving ultimately a dash red indicator came on. At the time, I did not know what to think. Upon returning home, it said the car might suddenly stop. Researching, I found a way to turn off this feature. But every time one turns on the ignition, this switch resets itself… There is no way to turn it completely, but other safety features do. […] I believe this system failed to operate, but evaluation is difficult. […] I am aware after this accident that there is an effort to recall Pathfinder SL concerning this sensor AEB.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder
Going down a busy road at 45 miles per hour, my car stopped completely and started beeping and a warning light came up on the dashboard with a big exclamation point. There was nothing in front of my car [..] and it completely stopped on its own. I took it to the dealership because I was scared to drive my car, and they said the sensor was faulty. They replaced it with the same sensor and said that Nissan’s development and research [department] was shut down. […] They replaced with same sensor and said it could happen again within 6 months to a year from the heat.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder
AEB (automatic emergency braking) light randomly comes, which means AEB function has been turned off. This action disables Intelligent Cruise Control, which relies on AEB to automatically slow the car if it encounters a slower vehicle ahead. Only had the car a week or so, bought used with 40,000 miles on it […]. Reading the web indicates this could be an issue if you are driving with cruise control enabled and then cruise control is randomly turned off due to faulty radar sensor. Vehicles with AEB should have a means to turn AEB off without disabling features such as cruise control. Cruise control feature is pretty standard and has been around for years.
If you have recurring problems with your Nissan Pathfinder’s Forward or Automatic Emergency Braking system, your vehicle may be a lemon. However, Nissan Pathfinders are not the only Nissan vehicle model experiencing these recurring problems. Read more about common Nissan AEB system problems and your California lemon law rights. If you would like more information, complete the form below to request a free consultation.
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2017–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guides on the California Lemon Law and Used Car Lemon Law for more information.
