Recall 21V020 affects 264,431 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles for brake-light-switch relay failure. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 264,431 2013-2015 Pathfinder SUVs because the brake light switch relay can stick on, leaving the brake lights illuminated when the driver is not braking. The defect can confuse following drivers, limit normal acceleration, or let the vehicle shift out of Park without the brake pedal pressed; Nissan dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The stop lamp relay in the 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder is an electrical switch for the brake light circuit. When you press the brake pedal, the stop lamp switch sends a signal and the relay helps turn the brake lights on. When the pedal is released, the relay is supposed to open the circuit so the lights turn off.
On affected Pathfinders, the stop lamp switch position on the brake pedal causes the relay to open and close repeatedly. Frequent stop-and-go driving with repeated pedal input adds to that chattering. That repeated cycling wears the relay contacts until the relay sticks in the ON position, leaving the brake lights illuminated when the brakes are not applied. The same fault also interferes with the brake-shift interlock, so the shifter can move out of Park without pressing the brake pedal.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first visible sign is the brake lights staying on after parking, but that means the relay has already stuck.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years, all tied to the brake-light switch relay.
| 2013 Nissan Pathfinder | Switch |
|---|---|
| 2015 Nissan Pathfinder | Switch |
| 2014 Nissan Pathfinder | Switch |
| Units affected | 264,431 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Brake lights that stay on can hide when the Pathfinder is actually slowing, which increases crash risk. Brake override activation also limits normal acceleration, and the vehicle can shift out of park without the brake pressed, allowing rollaway and injury. There is no warning before this failure. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free brake-light-switch inspection and brake-light-relay replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V020 and Nissan recall PC786 when you call.
- Watch for brake lights that stay on when the brake pedal is not pressed, trouble accelerating normally, or the vehicle shifting out of Park without the brake pedal pressed.
- Drive with extra space until the repair is complete, since stuck brake lights can make it harder for other drivers to tell when you are slowing down.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician inspects the brake light switch position, then either reinstalls the switch or swaps its position with the Automatic Speed Control Device switch, depending on the model year. The technician also replaces the brake light relay with a new relay. Parts and labor are free under recall 21V020. If you paid before Nissan sent the owner notice, Nissan's notice includes reimbursement instructions for eligible repair costs because these vehicles are no longer under warranty. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 20, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 21, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| January 21, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 1, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 1, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 1, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V020?
Recall 21V020 covers 264,431 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles with a brake light switch and relay problem. The brake lights can stay on when the brakes are not applied, acceleration can be affected, and the vehicle can shift out of Park without the brake pedal pressed.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Pathfinder is included in recall 21V020. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall PC786. The dealer will inspect the brake light switch setup and replace the brake light relay for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan says all repairs for recall 21V020 are free. A franchised Nissan dealer will inspect and correct the brake light switch installation, then replace the brake light relay.
What is the safety risk with this Pathfinder brake light recall?
The risk is that other drivers cannot tell when your Pathfinder is actually slowing down if the brake lights stay on. The defect can also limit normal acceleration or let the vehicle shift out of Park without pressing the brake, increasing crash or rollaway injury risk.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for brake lights that stay illuminated when you are not pressing the brake pedal. Also pay attention if the vehicle does not accelerate normally or shifts out of Park without the brake pedal pressed. Report those symptoms when you call the Nissan dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V020000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-867-7669 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V020 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V020000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →