1995 Nissan Pathfinder

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 170 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
130,000 milesMedian miles at failure

58 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000200,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe35
000
Structure › Frame and Members33
010
Power Train › Automatic Transmission12
000
Structure › Body9
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline8
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip6
302
Unknown or Other4
101
Tires4
000
Suspension4
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly4
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 21, 202065,000 milesFL

1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS RUSTING AWAY IT HAS UNDER 92,000 MILES ON IT MY SUSPENSION IS BEING INFECTED MY STEERING IS BEING AFFECTED THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF A GARAGE KEPT CAR THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH NOT THAT MANY MILES ON IT FOR ITS YEAR HAS JUST WASTED AWAY TO RUST PLEASE HELP AND FORCE NISSAN TO RECALL THIS THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND THEY'VE HAD TO RECALL ON OTHER MAKE AND MODELS THEY NEED TO BE RECALLED FOR ALL MAKING MODELS THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING FAULTY PRODUCT

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 21, 2017123,031 milesAK

TAKATA RECALL. JUST LIKE ALMOST ALL OTHER 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDERS MY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT. ONLY AFTER 2 MONTHS IT PASSED A VEHICLE INSPECTION ORDER I NOTICED A 4 INCH HOLE SURROUNDED BY RUST AND LOTS OF IT, I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME READING ONLINE AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN LOTS OF 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. I DONT SEE HOW THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN CHEATED BY NISSAN JUST BEING CHEAP AND I FIND IT NOT ACCEPTABLE

Electrical System
Filed Oct 2, 2016185,000 milesOK

IT STARTED NOT STARTING AND A COUPLE OF TIMES JUST DIED WHEN I WAS STOPED NOW IT WONT START AT ALL . AND THERES A SHORT SOMEWHERE THE RADIO GOES ON AND OFF.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 11, 201510,678 milesRI

MY CHASSIS IS ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR CAN THIS BE TAKE IN CAR OF AT A NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND IS THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL LIST?

Suspension
Filed Nov 6, 2013124,000 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE NOTICED A BANGING SOUND AND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE STRUT FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 23, 2013112,000 milesVA

I OWN A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER XE 4X4. I TOOK THE CAR FOR THE SAFETY INSPECTION EARLIER TODAY. IT DID NOT PASS THE SAFETY REQUIREMENT BECAUSE THE RUST HAS COMPROMISED THE FRAME AND MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. RUST VULNERABILITY IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH NISSAN'S SUVS. I LOVE MY PATHFINDER AND HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS CAR AND I'M VERY SAD TO SEE IT GO TO THE JUNK YARD BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER USED AN INFERIOR QUALITY RECYCLED METAL IN MANUFACTURING THE FRAME AND OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY. OVER THE YEARS, I STRUGLED WITH RUST EATING UP PARTS OF THE BODY AND FINALLY EVEN THE FRAME GOT EATEN BY RUST. NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ADDRESS THE RUST PROBLEMS OR NOBODY WILL BUY A SECOND NISSAN EVER!

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 22, 2013MI

BAKER PLATE RUSTED AND WEDGED INTO BRAKES AND ROTORS - LITERALLY TORE EVERYTHING UP.. CV BOOT DAMAGED- ROTORS DEFACED- BRAKES DEFACED- ALL NEED REPLACING AND MIND YOU THE BRAKES WERE NEWER HAD THIS NOT RUSTED I WOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS EXPENSE. *TR I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SUV AND RUSTED FRAME. BOTH SIDE RAILS ARE TORN OFF -DUE TO RUST THE GAS TANK HAS HAD TO BE FIXED TWICE DUE TO THE FRAME RUBBING ON IT. I LOVE THIS SUV AND AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED THAT ALTHOUGH BUILT TO LAST ITS TRULY NOT LASTING.. I AM SHOCKED AND AMAZED THAT AT THE RUST AND DETERIORATION OF FRAME . NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO HELP US RESOLVE THESE ONGOING PROBLEMS THE DANGER IN GAS TANK LEAKS DUE TO FRAME ROTTING IS EXTREME. I HAVE HAD MY GAS TANK FIXED TWICE - MY NISSAN IS LITERALLY FALLING APART. *TR

Suspension
Filed May 30, 2013157,000 milesPA

PURCHASED A USED 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER PRIVATELY FOR MY SON. DISCOVERED A GAS TANK LEAK, WE BOUGHT A NEW GAS TANK AND UPON HAVING IT INSTALLED THE MECHANIC AND COLLISION EXPERT SAID THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR MY SON TO DRIVE. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE THE PA INSPECTION STICKER IS ILLEGAL. NOW I HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHICH MY SON CANNOT DRIVE AND I AM OUT THE MONEY SO I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE MAN THAT SOLD IT TO ME HAS VANISHED AND HIS NUMBER DISCONNECTED. I THINK NISSAN NEEDS TO RECOUP ME FOR ME LOSSES SINCE MY LOSS IS DUE TO FAULTY AND PREMATURE RUSTING OF THE FRAMES IN THEIR PATHFINDERS OF THOSE YEARS. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

Suspension
Filed May 2, 2013133,535 milesMD

THE FRAME HAS HOLES IN IT. IT'S A 95 PATHFINDER WITH LOW MILEAGE. 133,545 MILES. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLE. THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE ARE AMAZING CONDITION BUT THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AND NOW EFFECTING THE WAY IT DRIVES. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE. HOW CAN THIS BE IGNORED WHEN THIS MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THERE FRAME GETTING HOLES IN IT DUE TO MATERIALS USED. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 27, 2012143,000 milesPA

I OWN A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. OTHER PEOPLE ARE KNOWN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE AS WELL. THE FRAME ROTS OUT EXTREMELY FAST AND DEEMS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. PEOPLE SINK THEIR OWN HARD EARNED MONEY INTO THEIR VEHICLE ONLY TO FIND OUT IT'S NO LONGER SAFE AND NISSAN'S DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT NOR TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. IF TOYOTA CAN STEP UP WHY NOT NISSAN? IT'S A TOP 5 AUTO MAKER FOR GODS SAKE... *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Nov 25, 2012147,000 milesIN

I PURCHASED A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE IN JUNE, 2007 FOR $3000. IN 2010 I HAD TO HAVE THE STARTER REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS LOADED ONTO A TRAILER TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FRIEND OF MINE TO HAVE THE NEW STARTER PUT ON. WHEN HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME, AFTER THE STARTER WAS PUT ON, HE HAD ME LOOK AT THE FRAME. IT WAS SO RUSTED OUT THAT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. BUT I HAD TO, ONLY VEHICLE TO DRIVE. YOU COULD PUT YOUR FIST THROUGH THE RUST. AFTER GOING ONLINE AND DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT ALOT OF 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE. I ALSO CONTACTED THE INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AND GOT THEM INVOLVED. STILL NO SOLUTION SINCE NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE. FINALLY IN JUNE OF 2011, I SOLD IT TO A JUNK YARD FOR $250. YES, I COULD HAVE SOLD IT TO A PRIVATE PARTY, BUT DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE IF THEY DROVE IT AND THE FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE CAN BE AN INVESTIGATION IN THIS. TOYOTA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND REIMBURSED THOSE PEOPLE AT 150% OF BOOK VALUE. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2012162,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY BEFORE PROGRESSING TO A PERMANENT OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 16, 2012200,000 milesIN

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO HANDLE REAL BAD AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A SHOP. INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTED, THE SECTION OF FRAME THAT HOLDS THE UPPER 2 REAR CONTROL ARMS IN PLACE HAD TORN AWAY FROM THE FRAME CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. *JB

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 6, 2012100,800 milesNY

GAS LEAKS AFTER ENGINE TURNING OFF ENGINE; AFRAID OF EXPLOSION (MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE). [XXX] FROM KOEPPEL NISSAN, QUEENS, NY HAS ASKED TRUCK TO BE TAKEN BACK FROM DEALERSHIP WITHOUT FIXING SINCE "IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED". THE UNIT ALSO HAS SEVERE FRAME AND RAIL CORROSION WHICH CAN CONTRIBUTE TO FATALITY. SUSPENSION/STEERING GIVING EXCESSIVE FEEDBACK. HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN THE PAST WEEK (OUTSIDE THE DEALERSHIP) TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. PLS HELP IMMEDIATELY. THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 29, 2012102,537 milesVA

MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE FRAME ON MY 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS ROTTED OUT AND WAY BEYOND SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. THE EXTREME RUST PROBLEM IS AT THE STRUT ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD EASILY BREAK AND THE VEHICLE LOOSE STEERING FUNCTION. THE REAR FRAME AREA IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN NISSAN PATHFINDERS. ALTHOUGH IT'S AN OLDER TRUCK, IT'S A DESIGN FLAW AND MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND TOOK CARE OF IT, I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY SEEM UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *JS

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 25, 2011110,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, HE WAS INFORMED THAT PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CORRODED PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON VARIOUS OTHER PORTIONS OF THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 6, 201196,567 milesPA

THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE IS SO ROTTED THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT. NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA HAD ME BRING IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT IT. THEY TOOK PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS UNFIXABLE. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ON LINE AND READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT PATHFINDER FRAME ROT. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 1, 2011144,800 milesPA

I HAVE A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I DISCOVERED SEVERE FRAME RUST A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO BOTH BELOW MY REAR SEAT WHICH COVERS TWO AREAS. JUST YESTERDAY I ALSO DISCOVERED FROM RUST BEHIND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. WHY IS IT THAT VISUALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE THE CAR LOOKS GREAT, IT RUNS GREAT, BUT THE THING IS FALLING APART WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE IT? THAT TO ME IS DANGEROUS AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME NISSAN TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Sep 22, 201189,000 milesIL

I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE FRAME ON MY CAR HAS RUSTING AWAY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. NOW, THE REAR OF THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES IS 50% GONE! THE FRONT FRAME ON BOTH SIDES HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE WHEEL WELL. THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND I HAVE KEPT IT IN THE GARAGE IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. I HAD IT DETAILED EVERY SPRING AND EVERY FALL. I CALLED NISSAN TO COMPLAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO NOTHING SINCE MY CAR WAS SO OLD. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. IT HAS LESS THAN 94,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I STRONGLY FEEL NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT AND SHOULD MAKE SOME EFFORT TO RECTIFY THIS MATTER WITH ME. THE FIRST MUFFLER ON THIS CAR OUTLASTED THE FRAME. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 13, 2011KY

WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE MY BRAKES ON OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER I SAW THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND FULL OF HOLES, THE GAS TANK AND REAR END HAVE FALLEN DOWN AND ARE HANGING ON BY THE FRAME. THIS VEHICLE WAS USED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF MY FAMILY, AND I WAS TOLD BY AN ENGINEER THAT WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE, AND VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE DID NOT KILL ANY INNOCENT PEOPLE. THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY DO WE LIVE IN THAT PUTS THE LIVES OF ITS CITIZENS IN DANGER FOR A CAR COMPANY? I PRAY NOT THIS ONE, PLEASE ACT. *TR

20 of 170 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20269000Routine
202549100Routine
202477200Routine
2023103100Routine
2022135510Routine
202047000Routine
201976210Routine
201877300Routine
2017186220Routine
2016105200Routine
2015320510Above average
20145741130Above average
20138901110Above average
201223210Routine
201145210Routine
201040500Routine
200937400Routine
2008328500Above average
2007561220Above average
2006837500Above average
20051,050461Fatalities reported
200467700Routine
2003110710Routine
2002156910Routine
2001230721Fatalities reported
2000112621Fatalities reported
1999104520Routine
1998149412Fatalities reported
1997217421Fatalities reported
1996159503Fatalities reported
1995 — this page170066Fatalities reported
199491220Routine
199349030Routine
199230020Routine
199139130Routine
199038220Routine

Compare every Pathfinder year →

Reading this record

6 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.