Nissan Pathfinder: Brake Control System - Symptom Diagnosis

• Excessive Operation Frequency
• Unexpected Brake Pedal Reaction
• The Braking Distance Is Long
• Does Not Operate
• Brake Pedal Vibration or Operation Sound Occurs
• Vehicle Jerks During
• Normal Operating Condition

Excessive Operation Frequency Nissan Pathfinder 2025

Description

VDC function, TCS function, ABS function, EBD function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function, brake force distribution function, or hill start assist function operates in excessive operation frequency.

Diagnosis Procedure

CHECK BRAKING FORCE

Check brake force using a brake tester.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 2.

NO>>

Check the brake system.

CHECK FRONT AXLE AND REAR AXLE

1. Disconnect 12V battery negative terminal.

2. Check that there is no excessive looseness in front and rear axle.

   • Front axle

     • 2WD models: Refer to Inspection.

     • 4WD models: Refer to Inspection.

   • Rear axle

     • 2WD models: Refer to Inspection.

     • 4WD models: Refer to Inspection.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 3.

NO>>

Repair or replace error-detected parts.

CHECK WHEEL SENSOR

Check the wheel sensor.

• Check installation and damage of wheel sensor.

• Check connection of wheel sensor harness connector.

• Check terminal of wheel sensor harness connector.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 4.

NO>>

Repair or replace the wheel sensor.

• Front wheel sensor: Refer to Removal and Installation.

• Rear wheel sensor: Refer to Removal and Installation.

CHECK SENSOR ROTOR

Check that there is no looseness, damage or foreign material on sensor rotor.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 5.

NO>>

Repair or replace the sensor rotor.

• Front sensor rotor

  • 2WD models: Refer to Removal and Installation.

  • 4WD models: Refer to Removal and Installation.

• Rear sensor rotor

  • 2WD models: Refer to Removal and Installation.

  • 4WD models: Refer to Removal and Installation.

CHECK WARNING LAMP TURN OFF

1. Connect 12V battery negative terminal.

2. Check that VDC warning lamp and ABS warning lamp turn OFF approximately 1 second after ignition switch is ON.

3. Check that VDC warning lamp and ABS warning lamp turn OFF after engine started or driving.

CAUTION:

Brake warning lamp turns ON when brake fluid is less than the specified level (brake fluid level switch is ON).

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

Normal

NO>>

Perform self-diagnosis for “ABS” with CONSULT.

Unexpected Brake Pedal Reaction Nissan Pathfinder 5th Gen

Description

A malfunction of brake pedal feel (height or others) is detected when brake pedal is depressed.

Diagnosis Procedure

CHECK FRONT AXLE AND REAR AXLE

1. Disconnect 12V battery negative terminal.

2. Check that there is no excessive looseness in front and rear axle.

   • Front axle

     • 2WD models: Refer to Inspection.

     • 4WD models: Refer to Inspection.

   • Rear axle

     • 2WD models: Refer to Inspection.

     • 4WD models: Refer to Inspection.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 2.

NO>>

Repair or replace error-detected parts.

CHECK DISC ROTOR

Check the disc rotor.

• Front: Refer to Inspection.

• Rear: Refer to Inspection.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 3.

NO>>

Refinish or replace the disc rotor.

CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE

Check the fluid leakage.

• Front: Refer to Inspection.

• Rear: Refer to Inspection.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 4.

NO>>

Repair or replace error-detected parts.

CHECK BRAKE PEDAL

Check the each item of brake pedal. Refer to Inspection.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 5.

NO>>

Adjust the each item of brake pedal. Refer to Inspection.

CHECK BRAKING FORCE

Check the brake force using a brake tester.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 6.

NO>>

Check each components of brake system.

CHECK BRAKE PERFORMANCE

1. Disconnect the ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) connector so that ABS does not operate.

2. Check that brake force is normal in this condition. Connect harness connectors after checking.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

Normal

NO>>

Check each components of brake system.

The Braking Distance Is Long Nissan Pathfinder R53

Description

Brake stopping distance is long when ABS function is operated.

Diagnosis Procedure

CAUTION:

Brake stopping distance on slippery road like rough road, gravel road or snowy road may become longer when ABS is operated than when ABS is not operated.

CHECK BRAKING FORCE

Check the brake force using a brake tester.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 2.

NO>>

Check each components of brake system.

CHECK BRAKE PERFORMANCE

1. Disconnect the ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) connector so that ABS does not operate.

2. Check the brake stopping distance in this condition. Connect harness connectors after checking.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

Normal

NO>>

Check each components of brake system.

Does Not Operate Nissan Pathfinder R53

Description

VDC function, TCS function, ABS function, EBD function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function, brake force distribution function, or hill start assist function does not operate.

Diagnosis Procedure

CAUTION:

VDC function, ABS function and EBD function never operate when the vehicle speed is 6.2 MPH (10 km/h) or less.

CHECK WARNING LAMP

• Check that ABS warning lamp and VDC warning lamp turn ON and turn OFF approximately 1 second after ignition switch is ON or driving.

• Check that brake warning lamp turn ON and turn OFF after engine start or driving.

CAUTION:

Brake warning lamp turns ON when brake fluid is less than the specified level (brake fluid level switch is ON).

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

Normal

NO>>

Perform self-diagnosis for “ABS” with CONSULT.

Brake Pedal Vibration or Operation Sound Occurs Nissan Pathfinder 2025

Description

• Brake pedal vibrates and motor sound from ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) occurs, when the engine starts.

• Brake pedal vibrates during braking.

CAUTION:

Vibration may be felt during brake pedal is lightly depressed (just placing a foot on it) in the following conditions. This is normal.

• When shifting gears

• When driving on slippery road

• During cornering at high speed

• When passing over bumps or grooves [Approximately 1.97 in (50 mm) or more]

• When pulling away just after starting engine [at approximately 6.2 MPH (10 km/h) or more]

Diagnosis Procedure

SYMPTOM CHECK 1

Check that there are pedal vibrations when the engine is started.

Do vibrations occur?

YES>>

GO TO 2.

NO>>

Check the brake pedal. Refer to Inspection.

SYMPTOM CHECK 2

Check that motor sound from ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) occurs when the engine starts.

Does the operation sound occur?

YES>>

GO TO 3.

NO>>

Perform self-diagnosis for “ABS” with CONSULT.

SYMPTOM CHECK 3

Check symptoms when electrical component (headlamps, etc.) switches are operated.

Does the symptom occur?

YES>>

Check that radio (including wiring), antenna and antenna lead-in wires are not located near ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit). Move them if they are located near ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit).

NO>>

Perform self-diagnosis for “ABS” with CONSULT.

Vehicle Jerks During Nissan Pathfinder SUV

Description

The vehicle jerks when VDC function, TCS function, ABS function, EBD function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function, brake force distribution function, or hill start assist function operates.

Diagnosis Procedure

CHECK SYMPTOM

Check that the vehicle jerks when VDC function, TCS function, ABS function, EBD function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function, brake force distribution function, or hill start assist function operates.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

Normal

NO>>

GO TO 2.

PERFORM SELF-DIAGNOSIS (1)

With CONSULT

Perform self-diagnosis for “ABS”.

Is DTC detected?

YES>>

Check the DTC. Refer to DTC Index.

NO>>

GO TO 3.

CHECK CONNECTOR

With CONSULT

1. Disconnect 12 V battery negative terminal.

2. Disconnect the ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) harness connector.

3. Check the connector terminal for deformation, disconnection and looseness.

4. Connect the ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit) harness connector, and perform self-diagnosis for “ABS” again.

Is the inspection result normal?

YES>>

GO TO 4.

NO>>

Poor connection of connector terminal. Repair or replace connector terminal.

PERFORM SELF-DIAGNOSIS (2)

With CONSULT

1. Connect 12 V battery negative terminal.

2. Perform self-diagnosis for “ENGINE” and “TRANSMISSION”.

Is DTC detected?

YES>>

Check the DTC.

• ECM: Refer to DTC Index.

• TCM: Refer to DTC Index.

NO>>

Replace the ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit). Refer to Removal and Installation.

Normal Operating Condition Nissan Pathfinder 2025

Description

Symptom	Result
Brake pedal slightly vibrates and operation sound (motor sound and sound from suspension) occurs when VDC function, TCS function, ABS function, EBD function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function, brake force distribution function, or hill start assist function operates.	This is not a malfunction, because it is caused by VDC function, TCS function, ABS function, EBD function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function, brake force distribution function, and hill start assist function that are normally operated.
Brake stopping distance may become longer than models without ABS function depending on the road conditions, when ABS function is operated on slippery road like rough road, gravel road or snowy road.
Brake pedal vibrates and operation sound occurs during sudden acceleration and cornering, when VDC function, TCS function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function or brake force distribution function is operated.
Brake pedal vibrates and motor sound from the engine room occurs, when the engine starts or the Nissan Pathfinder vehicle starts just after starting the engine.	This is not a malfunction, because it is caused by operation check of ABS actuator and electric unit (control unit).
Acceleration may be felt insufficient depending on the road conditions.	This is not a malfunction, because it is caused by TCS function that puts the highest priority to obtain the optimum traction (stability).
TCS function may operate momentarily, while driving on a road where friction coefficient varies, or when downshifting, or fully depressing accelerator pedal.
ABS warning lamp and VDC warning lamp may turn ON, when the Nissan Pathfinder vehicle is on a rotating turntable or is given a strong shaking or large vibrations on a ship while the engine is running.	In this case, restart the engine on a normal road. If the normal condition is restored, there is no malfunction. In that case, erase “ABS” self-diagnosis result memory with CONSULT.
VDC warning lamp may turn ON and VDC function, TCS function, active brake limited slip (ABLS) function, brake assist function and brake force distribution function may not normally operate, when driving on a special road the is extremely slanted (bank in a circuit course).
A malfunction in yaw rate/side/decel G sensor system may be detected when the Nissan Pathfinder vehicle sharply turns during a spin turn, acceleration turn or drift driving while VDC function, TCS function, brake assist function and brake force distribution function are OFF (VDC OFF indicator lamp is in ON status).
The Nissan Pathfinder vehicle speed does not increase, when the accelerator pedal is depressed while the vehicle is on a 2-wheel chassis dynamometer for speedometer check.	This is normal. (When checking the Nissan Pathfinder vehicle on a chassis dynamometer, operate VDC OFF so that TCS function is OFF.)
Flow sound of brake fluid from engine room occurs when hill start assist function operates.	This is not a malfunction, because it is caused by hill start assist function that is normally operated.