The Pathfinder has been in production since 1985 and was Nissan’s first truck-inspired SUV.
Like most other vehicles it utilizes beeps, noises and chimes to alert the driver’s attention.
If your Pathfinder keeps beeping, this article is here to help.
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Nissan Pathfinder Beeping
A common cause of beeping on a Nissan Pathfinder is related to the headlight settings, however other causes include the Speed Limit Alert, Lane Departure warning, a key fob left in the vehicle, a door is ajar whilst driving, a faulty door latch or the Rear Door Alert.
Finding out what’s causing your Pathfinder to beep can often be a process of elimination, we’ve outlined the most common causes below.
HeadlLights
A common cause of mysterious beeping on a Pathfinder is due to the headlight settings, specifically if the headlights are set to “on” instead of “auto” or “off”.
Although it’s not generally recommended, some owners keep it set to “auto” and have not encountered any battery issues.
Owners have been confused by this beeping sound as it is often accompanied by a warning on the dashboard message center stating that a door was open, as opposed to saying “you’ve left your headlights ON”.
If you have the battery saver setting enabled then the lights should turn off automatically after a short delay of 5-10 minutes.
If you set the headlights to “auto”, the door alert will stop going off whenever you open the door after the car was shut off.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that no bulbs have blown, check your headlight, emergency (hazard) lights and brake lights, this may trigger a beeping noise.
Speed Limit Alert
If you’ve bought a used Pathfinder then the previous owner may have set up the Speed Alert feature or it may have been set up at the dealership.
The Speed Alert will deliver a warning beep to the driver once a certain speed threshold has been reached, reminding the driver to slow down.
This feature can be enabled or disabled on the NissanConnect Services app or MyNISSAN Owner Portal.
On some models you can disable speed warnings via the main display unit.
Third Row Seats
According to one owner, if the 3rd-row seats are not leaned back fully they will trigger the beep, he had this to say:
“I have a speaker box in back and one of the seats is not leaned all the way back and it will beep when I start the vehicle. It goes away after a few seconds, but is there to remind you the rear seats are partially reclined. Try folding them flat then reclining them all the way back and see if it goes away.”
Lane Departure Warning
The Lane Departure Warning System on the Nissan Pathfinder will beep if you drive too close to the road markings.
The LDW system can be quite sensitive on Nissan models and will often beep at everything, even when you cross cracks in the roads.
Blind Spot Warning
When the system detects a vehicle driving in an adjacent lane approaching the rear of the driver’s vehicle – a common blind spot area, it notifies the driver with an indicator – usually a beep.
Key Inside Vehicle
From the Nissan Pathfinder owners manual:
Doors do not lock with the door handle request switch with the Intelligent Key inside the vehicle and a beep sounds to warn you. However, when an Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle, doors can be locked with another Intelligent Key.
Sensors for the Power Tailgate
One owner on a Nissan forum managed to get to the root of their beeping problem:
“The dealer found the problem with the beeping. It was the sensors for the power tailgate. It was over $400. and just before I took it in the tailgate would not close all the way. I had to push it closed. Fixed under extended warranty. No cost to me….And the end of the constant BEEPING…”
Key Reminder Chime
A beep sounds if:
The driver’s door is opened while the ignition switch is placed in the OFF position or placed in the OFF or LOCK position with the key left in the vehicle.
Make sure the ignition switch is placed in the LOCK position, and take the key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Weight on the Passenger Seat
If you’ve got an item such as some groceries or even your pet pooch on the passenger seat this can trigger a beeping noise as your car will think your ‘passenger’ needs to buckle up as it detects a presence on the seat.
You can simply buckle the seatbelt to see if this stops the beeping.
Parking Brake
If the parking brake is not released when you begin to drive, a chime will sound warning you that the parking brake is still on.
Shift to Park
When stopping the engine, you must put the shift lever in the park position or you will hear a warning chime.
12V Battery
If the battery is starting to die you may hear a warning beep, most 12V car batteries last 3-4 years on average.
You can always check the battery life with a voltmeter, by measuring the voltage across the battery’s terminals.
If it’s under 11V then this is causing the beeps and you’ll need to replace it.
Key Fob Battery
If the key fob battery is running low, then a warning beep is used to warn you.
Low Tire Pressure
A chime will sound if the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring) system detects low tire pressure.
Oil & Fluid
It’s always worth checking your fluid levels are all correct, such as:
- Engine oil
- Coolant
- Power steering fluid
- Brake fluid
- Windshield washer
Faulty latches or Sticking Door Mechanisms
If you’ve got a door latch that’s sticking this will make the car think you’ve got a door open or ajar when you haven’t.
This is a common cause of beeping on many car models.
Try giving a good clean to all door mechanisms and lubricating with WD-40.
Some owners have reported issues with their rear hatch sensor.
Nissan Pathfinder Beeping Under Hood
A common cause of a beeping noise coming from under the hood of a Nissan Pathfinder is due to a problem with the power steering pump which will need to be replaced.
The power-steering pump pressurizes the hydraulic fluid that helps the driver turn the steering wheel.
Signs of steering-pump failure include:
- Leaks
- Noises
- Decreased assistance while steering
If you’re hearing a beeping noise from under the hood then you should take your SUV to the dealership as this isn’t a good sign.
There are no electronic system under the hood that should be beeping.
Nissan Pathfinder Beeping Sound When Off
Your Nissan Pathfinder may be beeping when you turn it OFF because you opened the car door or unfastened the seat belt before turning OFF the engine. You may have loosened the seat belt before turning off the car engine.
You can prevent this by following the desired workflow of the car:
- Remove the seat belts and open the door only after turning OFF the car engine.
- Ensure there is nothing heavy on the passenger seat.
- Don’t let the fuel drop below the desired level.
- Close all doors carefully, making sure they are properly shut.
Alternatively, it may be caused by the headlights:
Set your light headlights to automatic. It beeps to remind you to turn your manual headlights off but if you set it to ‘auto’ or even ‘off’ then the beeping will stop.
Nissan Pathfinder Beeping Sound While Driving
If you’re Nissan Pathfinder is beeping whilst driving this is most likely caused by the Speed Alert feature, this is designed to send a warning beep once a certain speed has been reached.
This feature has left many Nissan owners confused, as they have no idea where the beeps are coming from.
Fortunately, this feature can be disabled quite easily on the NissanConnect Services app or MyNISSAN Owner Port
Nissan Pathfinder Beeping When Door Opens
If you’re Nissan Pathfinder beeps when you open the door, this can be because you need to turn off the engine first, put the vehicle into Park and then open the door.
Nissan Pathfinder Doesn’t Beep When Locked
If your Nissan Pathfinder doesn’t beep when locked this is because the Answer Back Horn feature has been disabled. It can be activated and deactivated using the Key Fob.
To Deactivate: Press and hold the ‘locked padlock’ and ‘unlocked padlock’ buttons on the key fob for at least two seconds.
The hazard indicator lights will flash three times to confirm that the answer back horn feature has been deactivated.
To Activate: Press and hold the ‘locked padlock’ and ‘unlocked padlock’ buttons on the key fob for at least two seconds once more.
The hazard indicator lights will flash once and the horn will sound once to confirm that the horn beep feature has been reactivated.
Deactivating the horn beep feature does not silence the horn if the alarm is triggered.
Nissan Pathfinder Three Beeps
Three Beeps from a Nissan Pathfinder can be caused by the Rear Automatic Braking system which detects obstacles behind the vehicle using the parking sensors located on the rear bumper. It may also be caused by the Lane Departure Warning or a warning that your car is still ON.
From the Nissan Pathfinder owners manual:
If a risk of a collision with an obstacle is detected when your vehicle is backing up, the RAB system warning indicator will flash in the vehicle information display, a red frame will appear in the center display (for vehicles with the Intelligent Around View Monitor system), and the system will chime three times.
The system will then automatically apply the brakes. After the automatic brake application, the driver must depress the brake pedal to maintain brake pressure.
Make sure your sensors are free of dirt and debris.
Be sure to check all your gauge and information displays for information too.
Nissan Pathfinder Beeps 6 Times
Six horn beeps on a Nissan Pathfinder is caused by the Rear Door Alert which is designed to warn the driver of precious cargo on the back seat.
The sensors are triggered if you open the back door before you start the car, close it, and don’t reopen it once you arrive.
It’s essentially so you don’t forget your kids in the backseat.
You can disable it by using with a switch that is located (on later models) at the bottom of the dashboard near your left knee.
The 2019 model, has three switches there.
- To open the rear door
- To to turn-off most safety devices (blind spot warning, etc)
- To turn-off the rear door alert. With this switch “off” (the green light at the bottom of the switch will not be lit) the RDA will not trouble you again until you turn it back on.
What Features Driving Aids Cause Beeps?
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW)/Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
- Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LI)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- ProPILOT Assist
- Rear Automatic Braking (RAB)
- Rear Sonar System (RSS)
Faulty or dirty sensors, wiring shorts or electronic faults may cause unexplained beeps.
Alternative Suggestions
Disconnect the Battery
Some innocuous beeps can disappear with a simple reset.
Disconnect the battery for 20 seconds.
Alternatively you can try disconnecting for 24 hours.
Check the Gauge Cluster
When the beeping occurs can you see any lights come on at the same time on the gauge cluster?
This can give a clue as to whats causing the beeping.
On some vehicles, a warning beep indicates a bulb in the gauge cluster is blown.
Take it to a Nissan Dealership
If needed, take your car to the dealership.
Tell them you are NOT paying for a check on what the problem might be.
Ask them if they will check it for free.
Most dealerships and other places do quick/initial diagnosis for no money as they plan to make money for the repair of your vehicle.
Check for Recalls or TSBs:
By entering your car’s VIN number on Nissans recall page you can determine whether or not there is a recall for your vehicle and if there is you’ll want to get it fixed.
Similarly, a quick google search will help you determine whether there is a Technical Service Bulletin for your car, these are less serious but may give a reason why your car is beeping.
A recall is issued by a vehicle manufacturer for issues that are safety-related, while a TSB covers components that may be malfunctioning but don’t compromise the safety of the vehicle.
Diagnosing Beeps With a Scanner
Another possible option if you’re hearing a beeping sound is to use an OBD2 diagnostic scanner tool.
These are fairly easy to use, you simply plug them into your car – there’s usually an OBD2 port under the steering wheel.
Once you have the scan codes you can research these online specifically for the Pathfinder.
There are also OBD apps available so you can connect your car straight to your smartphone (either with a cable or Bluetooth) without even needing a scanner.
Warning Signals
From the Nissan Pathfinder owners manual:
To help prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly by erroneous operation of the Intelligent Key or to help prevent the vehicle from being stolen, a chime or buzzer sounds from inside and outside the vehicle and a warning is displayed in the instrument panel.
When a chime or beep sounds or a warning is displayed, be sure to check the vehicle and the Intelligent Key
Related: 24 Best & Worst Nissan Pathfinder Years (With Pictures)
