2013–2015 Nissan Pathfinder: Brake lights stay on, or it shifts out of Park without the brake (recall 21V020)
Likely causes, ranked
- Sticking brake light relay$0–$0Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: Brake lights that stay on, poor acceleration from brake override, or being able to shift out of Park without pressing the brake.
Likely causes
- Sticking brake light relay. Nissan replaces the relay and repositions the switch.
DIY or shop?
Dealer. Recall repairs are free.
Useful steps
- Check your VIN for 21V020.
Vehicle focus: 2013–2015 Nissan Pathfinder.
Safety / mechanic note
Wrong brake light signals and rollaway are both crash risks. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 21V020000 2013–2015 Pathfinder: the brake light relay can stick on, leaving the brake lights lit and possibly letting the car shift out of Park without the brake. Dealers reposition switches and replace the relay. Details
NHTSA complaints: 280 keyword-matched complaints for Nissan PATHFINDER 2013–2015 (of 1,777 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.