Took the 2012 PF in for service two weeks ago for the Cabin Air Temp Control system. The service dept. work on the PF for the entire day without being able to fix the problem. The service dept. did confirm that the Heat/Cooling Cabin Air control system was not working the way it should but they couldn't find a way to fix the problem. They stated that the problem had been documented and sent to Nissan for a solution and would they would contact me when they heard back from the main service center in two or three days. Two weeks and nothing. This is the same type of poor service I had with Nissan with a company truck and a personal car (200SX). No matter what was wrong with the truck/car Nissan would not fix the problems. Looks like things have not changed at Nissan. Well here I go again, wonder if I'll have better luck getting things fixed this time around. In case anyone is wondering why I bought a Nissan again, lets just say the wife hasn't tried to talked me into looking at Nissan for her car.

If its any consolation, every vehicle I've ever owned has been pretty quirky when it comes to the Auto Climate Control. I have a Pontiac Grand Prix right now that is right squirrely when it comes to keeping a constant temp. I'm pretty sure your experience is not unique to Nissan.

Unique, no. Nissan seemed to be aware of the problem, just had no idea of how to fix the problem. My main complaint is that they have never called me back with an answer of any kind.

Stopped in to the Nissan dealer that work on the heating/cooling system on my PF to see why they never called me back. The service writer said that Nissan told them that it is normal for the system to only put out hot air at 89-90 degree setting and cold air when set to anything below 89 degrees. The only way to control the temperature is by turning the fan up or down. This just isn't right, no other car I have own works this way.

What exactly is the system doing? I noticed over the weekend my A/C is not blowing as cold as it should although I haven't had it looked at yet. Sorry to hear your not getting answers! I'm quite positive that is not the way Nissan wants this handled, my suggestion would be to approach the GM. Chances are if his service staff isn't performing he is going to want this handled STAT.

Never settle for a canned answer from a service dept ! Ask for a meeting with a factory rep. I don't know about Nissan but I settled a dispute with GMC trucks that way, and got my problem solved after playing ring around the rosie with a service dept that kept giving me BS answers.
Don't ask for it , insist on it !

My 2012 Silver addition is in for the third time for this exact issue. Did you ever find the problem? In MN, heat is kind of important!

I should mention, mine is intermittent, but can usually be brought on by applying the gas (like when merging onto highway). When it works, it is great. When it doesn't, it is obviously malfunctioning. The good thing is, the mechanic has witnessed it working AND failing. It would be difficult at this point to claim it its "working as designed", which is what we heard from the first dealer that looked at it.

I forgot to update, but after working with Corporate, and them asking me to go try another dealer's service department...we have working controls! The second dealership was way more responsive and gave me a loaner while they tried various things. Ultimately it ended up being the internal cabin temperature sensor (behind the little vent right under the ignition knob). I took the truck back not believing this would solve the issue, but was thrilled to find out it did!

The whole 89-90 degree thing makes NO sense as to why this solved it, but I think that is why so many dealerships weren't figuring it out. I really goes against any logic. Luckily they figured it out just before we were hit with the worst winter ever up here, with practically more days below zero than above.

Here's one for you:

Bought new (2017) Pathfinder on May 27th which was Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Took delivery with 16 miles on it.

Over the weekend I discovered it had no heat, even with the climate control set at max (90 degrees). Just blew cold air.
Took it back to dealership on day after Memorial Day. May 30th.
They confirmed it had no heat and gave me a loaner.

I also mentioned to them that after the first two times driving it I smelled an electrical burning odor coming from the engine compartment. Didn't smell it in the car. After driving it for a while the odor went away and I didn't notice it again.

I checked with them a couple of days later and they thought it had an air bound heater core. They were trying to purge the air out of it. Tried several times, following Nissan procedure. Still no heat.

They brought in a regional Nissan "super tech". Neither he or the dealership techs could find the problem. They got Nissan Engineering involved. Nissan Engineering decided that the engine may have a bad block casting or a plastic plug that was supposed to be removed before assembly was overlooked. They ordered a new engine to be shipped to the dealership for installation.

Meanwhile, I had done some research and had reviewed the engine cooling system and heating core diagrams. Couldn't find them for the 2017 model but found some for some of the previous years. There is a component called a "Heat Control Valve" mounted somewhere in the engine compartment. It's purpose is to control the amount of hot coolant flow from the engine block to the heater core. If you set the climate control to "90", it should open completely, allowing max flow to the core. If you lower the temp or are using A/C it should shut, blocking flow to the heater core. It's apparently actuated with a small DC motor that turns some gears which turns the valve either open or closed or somewhere in between.

I mentioned this to the service manager. Told him it was just a hunch but if that valve was stuck closed (maybe one of the little gears was jammed), the little motor would be locked, drawing current but not able to move. The windings of the motor would get hot, explaining the electrical burning odor. Eventually, the winding would open, current would stop and the odor would go away. But the valve wouldn't open because the motor was burned out. They thought this was a good theory but they are required to do what Nissan authorizes them to do under warranty repairs.

Anyway, it's now been almost a month. I only had the Pathfinder for 2 days. It's been at the dealership since. Today I found out that the new engine has been installed and tested. Guess what? Still no heat.

I have a case number with the Nissan Arbitration people. The representative has been friendly and helpful. She told me that if the new engine didn't fix the problem that Nissan will not "drag this out" and they will buy back the car and refund me.

Anyway, I still think my theory is the problem. They can only fix what shows up on a diagnostic computer plugged into the ECU as a fault code. There were no codes for this, but as a retired electrical/electronics engineer I can understand why. The diagnostics probably just looks to see if 12 volts is being applied to the heat control motor, which it would be. It just would not have any current if the windings were burnt out. So, no fault. The fact that the motor isn't turning probably isn't covered by a code.

So, we will see what Nissan decides to do on Monday. I don't think the representative knows yet that the new engine didn't fix the problem. Other than no heat, I like the Pathfinder. I've just sorta forgotten what it looks like.

Damn, it's sad. I never had a problem with brand new pathfinder before, yet I didn't drive the 2017 model, but I know a guy who did get it on lease at DSRLeasing and he said nothing about any problems, but he could just kept it to himself. I wish you all best and hope Nissan will resolve it for once.

Talked to the Nissan Arbitration Specialist this morning. She said she was unaware that the new engine did not fix the problem. I've asked that Nissan honors the commitment made to me last week that if the new engine didn't fix the problem that they would not "drag this out" any further and would do a buy-back. So, that's where it stands except she told me it could take 4 to 6 weeks because they have to contact the lien holder, etc. I told her it was not financed ... I had paid cash ... and she said in that case it wouldn't take so long.

It's been a month since I bought the car. I only had it two days. I can't fault the dealership techs at all. They have tried everything they can to fix it however they are somewhat handcuffed because any work has to be authorized by Nissan.

I like the Pathfinder otherwise. It's just a shame that diagnostics and procedures are what they are today. I am still convinced the problem is with a $200 valve that could be replaced in about an hour. Instead, Nissan has paid for unknown labor hours trying to determine the cause, a new engine and shipping costs, labor to install and test it ... plus .. the cost of a rental loaner that I've been driving for the last 27 days.

Just an update for those who may be interested in the issue with my Pathfinder. Nissan has been good in terms of backing their warranty. They are preparing the formal offer to buy back my car. Yesterday they sent some Nissan people to the dealership to take a look at it. They left as baffled as all the dealership and Nissan regional "super techs" have been.

It turns out that my theory of what the problem is doesn't hold. The 2017 models were redesigned as far as the heating system is concerned and the valve that I suspected is no longer used. I was told that the rear heater is now electric. I don't know how the front heat works. The diagrams I had reviewed were for pre-2017 models so they don't apply.

I was told that the whole car is going to be shipped back to Nissan after the buy back for an autopsy. Hopefully this problem is not wide-spread and is unique to the vehicle that I purchased. It's been a bit drawn out time-wise but both the dealership and Nissan have cooperated, tried to fix it and are doing the right thing by doing the buy-back. I won't hesitate to replace it with another Nissan.

I don't consider Nissan yet I settled a discourse with GMC trucks that way, and got my stress comprehended subsequent to playing ring around.