Owners filed 217 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
114800114,800 milesMedian miles at failure
88 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 150,000–200,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Suspension
31
1
0
1
Suspension › Rear
25
0
0
2
Suspension › Front
24
1
0
0
Steering
14
0
0
0
Tires
12
2
0
5
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
7
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
7
6
0
5
Unknown or Other
6
1
0
0
Suspension › Front › Macpherson Strut
6
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
6
2
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front11V244000
Filed Apr 20, 2011195,991 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.
Defect. NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Risk. THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap07V435000
Filed Sep 18, 2007372,250 vehiclesNissan North America, Inc.
Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.
Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.
Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Nov 22, 2021NC
The vehicle swings left to right when cruising at about any speed. When the vehicle is pulling it does not swing or sway, however once the vehicle has got up to a desired speed and you try to maintain a steady speed it starts a “death wobble” which nearly cannot hold it on correct side of the road. You have to increase speed or reduce speed dramatically to regain control of the vehicle.
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 17, 2020TN
I HAVE TAKEN MY NISSAN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DECODE MY ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE PAID FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS TO HAVE THE EVAL CODE CORRECTED. AFTER THE LAST ATTEMPT OF TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT MY EVAL TUBE IS CLOGGED THROUGHOUT AND THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE WITH NISSAN. I'M STUCK WITH A CLOGGED SYSTEM THAT IS UNREPAIRABLE.
Suspension
Filed Jan 25, 2019237,000 milesWA
VEHICLE HAS A SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR, EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON DRY PAVEMENT ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY: AT AROUND 55-60 MPH, THE BACK END OF VEHICLE SWAYS VIOLENTLY, WITH NO WARNING OR APPARENT CAUSE. DRIVER FEELS THAT IF SPEED IS NOT IMMEDIATELY DECREASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 16, 2017100,000 milesNJ
A DEFECT IN THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FILL TUBE ALLOWED ROAD SALT TO FORM RUST ON THE FUEL FILL AND OR VENT TUBE RESULTING IN FUEL VAPORS TO ESCAPE IN THE AIR AROUND THE GAS TANK. IT IS HEAVY AT TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NISSAN SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS NOTICED WHEN EVER YOU WALK BY THE CAR. STATIONARY. ANY WHERE
Steering
Filed Jan 31, 2017229,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING , SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering
Filed Jan 12, 2017150,000 milesCA
THE VEHICLE LOST STRUTS, STEERING RACK, AND HAS SERIOUS ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T NEED TO FIX. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS FALLING APART.
Suspension › Rear
Filed Mar 1, 2016105,000 milesPA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED VIOLENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Structure › Body
Filed Jan 16, 201699,000 milesNC
DRIVING TRUCK GOT SO BAD IT WAS HARD TO KEEP IN ROAD..WOULD GO SIDE TO SIDE ON HIGHWAY AND TURNS WERE NOT EASY TO SAY IN LANE.TOOK TO CLARKTIRE CO ..THEY REPLACED LOTS OF PARTS AND SAID MOUNTS FOR SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE PRETTY BADLY RUSTED CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THOSE.
Steering
Filed Dec 23, 2014130,000 milesNJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT REDUCED SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2014227,345 milesMD
STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN IN 2011 ( REPLACED WITH USED PART ) STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN IN 2013 ( REPLACED WITH NEW NISSAN ORIGINAL PART) STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN 10 2014 (REPLACED WITH NEW NISSAN ORIGINAL PART) CORRODED STRUT TOWER. STEERING SHAFT RESTING ON THE CORRODED STRUT TOWER/ STEERING TOWER BREAKING WHILE DRIVING. IN ONE OF THE INCIDENTS, IT BROKE ON A MAJOR STREET IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ( 11TH AND PENNSYLVANIA AVE ) COST OF TOWING WAS $150.00. *TR
Suspension
Filed Apr 24, 2014198,000 milesPA
THE TRAILER ARMS FAILED. THIS IS WHAT HOLDS THE REAR AXLE STEADY AND WILL CAUSE THE TRUCK TO SWAY OR HULA HOOP THE REAR END. I REPLACED THEM MYSELF $160.00 FOR THE PARTS 3HOURS UNDER THE CAR. ALSO REPLACED THE SHOCKS 5 DAYS LATER. RIDES LIKE NEW. LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME IS ALSO ROTTING OUT. HOPE THEY OPEN A RECALL ON THE FRAME. I WILL CHECK THE FRONT STRUT HOUSING FOR RUST. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Oct 13, 2013128,000 milesMA
THE FRAME, INCLUDING CHASSIS, SUSPENSION AND BODY HAS EXTENSIVE RUST. THE SUSPENSION IS CAVING INTO THE CHASSIS DUE TO EXTENSIVE CHASSIS RUST. THE RUST IS NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF VEHICLE. IT IS DUE TO INADEQUATE COATING TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLES OF SAME MODEL (YEAR) OF OTHER MAKES HAVE MINIMAL RUST COMPARED TO THIS VEHICLE. EVEN THE MECHANICS I HAVE APPROACHED HAVE SIMILAR OPINION THAT THIS VEHICLE ACROSS THE BOARD IS POORLY BUILT, AND MORE RUST PRONE. THE VEHICLE CAN BE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC IF THE RUST EATS THROUGH AND MAKES SUSPENSION/AXLES COLLAPSE, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR RUST ISSUES, BUT THE RECALL ONLY COVERED PART OF THE PROBLEM, WHILE THERE IS MORE EXTENSIVE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Suspension
Filed Sep 17, 2013180,000 milesCA
THE VEHICLE STARTS SWAYING DANGEROUSLY, AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH . AT A HIGHER SPEED THE CAR WILL STARTS BACK SWAYING AND FISH TAILING AND WOULD FLIP SPECIALLY ON A WET ROADS, NO CONTROL TO IT. *TR
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Jun 11, 201370,003 milesVA
THE ROUND RUNNING BOARDS ARE RUSTING SEVERELY AND POSE A DANGER TO ANYONE ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Steering
Filed May 17, 2013100,000 milesCA
WHEN I DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WILL START TO ROCK AND FISHTAIL AT RANDOM AND ERRATIC TIMES CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SAME INCIDENT AND FEEL NISSAN SHOULD CORRECT THERE ENGINEERING FAILURE. *TR
Suspension
Filed Apr 21, 2013120,000 milesKY
AT AROUND 120000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY. MECHANICS COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SWAY IS TO TAP THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATE. HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN AND IS DOWNRIGHT SCARY AT TIMES. ALSO THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY / FRAME IS EXTREMELY CORRODED. VEHICLE SHOULD NOT CORRODE THAT QUICKLY. ALL UNDERBODY PARTS ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED. *TR
Steering
Filed Mar 13, 2013120,000 milesCA
AT RANDOM... THIS PATHFINDER WILL GO INTO A CRAZY DEATH WOBBLE, TO THE POINT TO WERE IT WANTS TO PUT YOUR HEAD AND THE HEADS OF YOUR CHILDREN THREW THE WINDOWS. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCKS IN THE CAR. BUT YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS. MY CAR IS AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW RACKING UP A BILL THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD, FOR SOMETHING THEY WILL MOST LIKELY NOT BE ABLE TO FIX. I HAVE READ A HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON LINE THAT DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM TO A T. GOD HELP US! *TR
Steering
Filed Mar 13, 2013127,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
Power Train
Filed Feb 19, 2013115,000 milesCA
VEHICLE SWAYS VERY BAD DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION AND STOP IF YOU PUSH THE BRAKE OR SPEED UP. FEELS REALLY DANGEROUS AND FOUND OTHERS WITH SAME VEHICLE AND SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension
Filed Oct 24, 201294,000 milesUT
EXTREME REAR END WOBBLE (SWAY) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
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.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 20, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.