C1710 on 2013-2015 Nissan Pathfinder: Rear TPMS Sensor Fault Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2013-2015 Nissan PATHFINDER

For this generation of Nissan Pathfinder (R52) and its platform mates like the Infiniti QX60, the TPMS is known to be sensitive to radio frequency (RF) interference. Nissan issued a technical service bulletin (NTB13088A) specifically warning technicians that aftermarket accessories like 'smart cell phone chargers', dash cams, and power inverters can block the 315 MHz sensor signals, causing 'No Data' codes like C1710 to appear. This makes unplugging all non-factory devices a critical first diagnostic step before assuming a part has failed.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• TPMS warning light flashes for approximately one minute at startup, then stays on solid.
• Tire pressure reading for the rear-left tire is blank or shows dashes on the vehicle information display.
🎬 Watch: How the Pathfinder TPMS and Easy Fill Alert work.
• Inability to clear the TPMS warning light.

Most Likely Causes

1. Dead TPMS Sensor Battery 🔴 High Probability TPMS sensors contain a non-replaceable battery with a finite lifespan, typically 7-10 years. For vehicles in the 2013-2015 range, these original sensors are reaching the end of their service life, making this the most common cause.
   How to confirm: A professional tire shop can use a TPMS diagnostic tool to attempt to 'wake' or read the sensor. If the tool cannot get a signal from the sensor, its battery is almost certainly dead.
   Typical fix: Replace the rear-left TPMS sensor. The tire must be dismounted from the wheel to access it. It is often recommended to replace all four sensors at the same time if they are original, as the others are likely to fail soon.
   Est. part cost: $30-$90
2. Radio Frequency (RF) Interference 🟡 Medium Probability As noted in Nissan TSB NTB13088A, the TPMS operates on a frequency (315 MHz) that can be easily disrupted by poorly shielded aftermarket electronics, especially those plugged into 12V power outlets. 🎬 See how aftermarket electronics can cause TPMS communication issues. Common culprits include cheap USB phone chargers, dash cams, and power inverters.
   How to confirm: Unplug ALL aftermarket electronic devices from the vehicle's power outlets. Clear the trouble codes and drive the vehicle for 10-15 minutes at speeds over 25 MPH. If the code does not return, one of the devices was the cause.
   Typical fix: Identify and replace the offending electronic device with a higher-quality, better-shielded alternative. In many cases, no vehicle parts need to be replaced.
   Est. part cost: $10-$50
3. Damaged TPMS Sensor ⚪ Low Probability Sensors can be physically damaged during tire changes if the technician is not careful. The valve stem can also be broken by road debris or improper use of tire inflation tools.
   How to confirm: This is usually discovered during a tire service. A visual inspection after dismounting the tire will reveal a broken sensor or valve stem. TSB NTB13088A also notes that aftermarket tire sealants can corrode and damage sensors.
   Typical fix: Replace the damaged TPMS sensor and register the new one.
   Est. part cost: $30-$90

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Body Control Module (BCM) or TPMS Receiver: This is extremely rare. Before suspecting the BCM or receiver, all sensors should be tested and RF interference must be ruled out. A definitive diagnosis requires advanced tools like Nissan's CONSULT. A good diagnostic step is to swap the suspect wheel with a known-good one; if the code stays at the same wheel location (e.g., C1710 remains), the problem is with the vehicle's receiver system for that corner. If the code moves with the wheel (e.g., changes to C1708), the sensor is bad.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read codes with a scanner capable of reading 'C' (Chassis) codes to confirm C1710 is active.
2. Check the vehicle's information display to see if the rear-left tire pressure reading is missing.
3. CRITICAL: Unplug all aftermarket devices from 12V power outlets (phone chargers, dash cams, etc.). This is a no-cost check for a very common problem.
4. Clear the DTCs and drive the vehicle for 10-15 minutes. If the code does not return, an accessory was the cause.
5. If the code returns, use a TPMS diagnostic tool to test the rear-left sensor. If it fails to respond, the sensor needs replacement.
6. If the sensor responds to the tool, the issue may be with the vehicle's TPMS receiver or wiring. A wheel rotation (swapping the rear-left wheel with another) can help confirm. If the code follows the wheel (e.g., changes to C1708 after moving it to the front-left), the sensor is bad. If the code stays C1710, the problem is with the vehicle's receiver system for that location.
7. After replacing the sensor, use a TPMS tool connected to the OBD-II port to register the new sensor ID to the BCM.
🎬 Watch: Professional walkthrough for programming new Nissan tire pressure sensors.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor (OEM #40700-3JA0B) — This is the component that fails, almost always due to its internal battery dying after 7-10 years of service. The code C1710 directly points to a communication failure with this sensor. This part number supersedes the older 40700-3JA0A.
  Trusted brands: Schrader (often the OEM supplier), Continental/VDO, Hitachi, Autel
  OEM price range: $90-$150
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$70

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• C1711 — This code is for the Rear-Right sensor. Seeing C1710 and C1711 together can indicate that both rear sensors are failing from age or are being affected by a common source of RF interference located in the center console or rear cargo area.
• C1708 — This code is for the Front-Left sensor. If multiple TPMS codes (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711) appear at once, it strongly suggests a systemic issue like a powerful source of RF interference near the driver, a failing TPMS receiver, or that all sensors are failing simultaneously due to age.
• C1709 — This code is for the Front-Right sensor. Its appearance with C1710 points to multiple sensors failing from age or a vehicle-wide interference issue.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• NTB13088A: A general bulletin for Nissan vehicles that summarizes common TPMS issues, highlighting RF interference from 'smart cell phone chargers' as a primary cause for C1708-C1711 codes. It also warns against using aftermarket tire sealants.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Nissan TSB NTB13088A specifically calls out that radio frequency interference from aftermarket accessories is a common cause for 'No Data' codes C1708, C1709, C1710, and C1711 and should be investigated before replacing parts.
• Owners on forums confirm that swapping to a different set of wheels (e.g., for winter tires) requires a trip to a shop with a TPMS tool to reprogram the sensor IDs, as there is no easy DIY method.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Nissan CONSULT: BCM > AIR PRESSURE MONITOR > WORK SUPPORT > ID REGISTRATION — This function is used after replacing a TPMS sensor. It allows the technician to write the new, unique sensor ID to the Body Control Module (BCM) so the vehicle recognizes it.
• Nissan CONSULT: BCM > AIR PRESSURE MONITOR > DATA MONITOR — Used during diagnosis to view live data from the TPMS sensors, such as individual tire pressures and sensor IDs that the BCM is currently receiving. This helps confirm if the 'No Data' condition for C1710 is active.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• BCM (Body Control Module) — Located on the left (driver's) side of the dash.. The BCM is the central computer that receives signals from all TPMS sensors, including the one that triggers C1710. It processes these signals and communicates with the instrument cluster. A fault with the BCM or its wiring/ground could, in rare cases, mimic a sensor failure.
• TPMS Receiver — On some related Nissan platforms, the TPMS receiver is located in the passenger-side front pillar. While not explicitly confirmed for the Pathfinder in the search, this is a likely location.. This component receives the 315 MHz radio signals from the wheel sensors before relaying the data to the BCM. A failure or wiring issue with the receiver could cause a 'No Data' condition for one or more sensors.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 40700-3JA0A → 40700-3JA0B — Standard part update/revision.
  Heads up: The new part number 40700-3JA0B is the correct and direct replacement for 40700-3JA0A. There are no known incompatibility issues.