Parts for your 2020 Nissan Pathfinder-Crank angle sensor

2020 Nissan Pathfinder crank angle sensor (crankshaft position sensor)

Yes, the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder (R52, VQ35DE 3.5L V6) is fitted with a crank angle sensor, more commonly labelled by Nissan as the crankshaft position sensor (CKP). This is confirmed in the Nissan Electronic Service Manual for the R52 (Engine Control section) and Nissan’s parts catalogue for the VQ35DE, both of which show the CKP as a required engine input. Trade data sets such as Alldata/Autodata also list related fault codes (P0335/P0339) for this model, reinforcing that the sensor is present and monitored by the ECU.

On the 2020 Pathfinder, the crank angle sensor’s job is to report the crankshaft’s exact speed and position so the ECU can time fuel injection and spark precisely, sync with the cam sensors, and manage functions such as misfire detection and stability of idle. It reads a toothed target as the crank spins and sends a clean digital signal the ECU can trust at all engine speeds. If that signal drops out or goes noisy, the engine may crank but not start, stumble, stall at idle, or kick the dash light with codes like P0335.

It’s not a routine service item, but it’s smart to give it a look during servicing of your 2020 Nissan Pathfinder crank-angle-sensor: check the harness for rubbing or heat hardening, make sure the connector seals are intact, and keep an eye out for oil leaks onto the sensor area. The unit is mounted low at the back of the engine near the transmission bellhousing, so road grime and spray are common—good reason to keep the area clean. In Aussie and Kiwi conditions, heat and corrugations can fatigue wiring, so a quick inspection pays off.

Replacement is straightforward for a competent DIYer: safely raise the vehicle, disconnect the battery negative, unplug the sensor, remove the retaining bolt, and swap in a quality OE or OEM-equivalent part with a new O-ring. No special programming is usually required on this model—clear any codes, start, and road test while watching live RPM and cam/crank sync on a scan tool. If drivability issues persist, verify power, ground, and signal integrity before blaming the ECU.

Practical tips they’ll appreciate: avoid cheap no-name sensors, route the loom exactly as factory to prevent chafing, and if hot-restart issues were the complaint, confirm fix with a proper heat-soak test.

Popular questions

Does the 2020 Pathfinder actually have a crank angle sensor?
It does. Nissan calls it the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) in the R52 service manual. It’s essential for spark and fuel timing, so the ECU won’t run the engine properly without it and will log codes like P0335 if the signal’s missing.

Where is the crank angle sensor on a 2020 Pathfinder?
It’s mounted low at the back of the engine near the transmission bellhousing. Access is typically from underneath. Expect some road grime—gloves and eye protection are a good idea.

Should the CKP be replaced as preventative maintenance?
There’s no scheduled interval. Replace only if it’s faulty or the connector/harness is damaged. During servicing, a quick visual check and a scan for stored or pending codes is all that’s usually needed.