Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 156

2002 Nissan Pathfinder complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Suspension
Filed Feb 20, 2014145,000 milesAZ

VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE AND STARTS TO WOBBLE (REAR SUSPENSION) AT 55 MPH AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS.. FEELS LIKE VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL.. NEED TO BRING SPEED DOWN TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 19, 2013152,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL STARTED TO LEAK. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE FILLER NECK WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

Suspension
Filed Sep 24, 2013TN

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURER RECALL ISSUE TO BUY BACK VEHICLE AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED NISSAN WAS WILLING TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, FOR ONLY $3114.00.

Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 2013116,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING , SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

Engine
Filed May 29, 2013145,000 milesCA

PART FROM BUTTERFLY VALVE CAME LOOSE AND FELL INSIDE ENGINE. DESTROYED ENGINE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 16, 201355,000 milesPA

I RECENTLY BROUGHT UP TO THE ATTENTION OF NISSAN A PROBLEM I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY CAR. THE "CHECK ENGINE SERVICE" LIGHT IS ON AND IT JUST DOESN'T TURN OFF. LET ME EXPLAIN. WHEN I FIRST NOTICE THE PROBLEM, AROUND 6 MONTHS AGO, I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER. HOWEVER, JUST TO HOOK UP THE CAR TO THE COMPUTER OF THE DEALERSHIP IS OVER $100. NOT TO GET FIXED, JUST TO HOOK UP. I THINK THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS. SO I TOOK IT TO 2 DIFFERENT PLACES, A LOCAL MECHANIC AND AUTOZONE, BOTH EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTER HOOK UPS, CAPABLE OF "READING" NISSAN CODES. AT FIRST, THE CODE INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE "R" VALVE TIMING SOLENOID, WHICH I PROCEEDED TO CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT CONTINUED ON. I TOOK IT BACK, AND NOW IT WAS THE "L" SIDE, WHICH I ALSO CHANGED. THESE TWO CHANGES COST ME $500. BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUES ON. NOW IS GIVING CODES FOR THE CAM/CRANK SENSOR, DIRT BUILD UP, THE IVT CONTROL SOLENOID OPEN OR SHORTED. AT THIS POINT IS WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN. I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER (11149465) AND EVENTUALLY TALKED TO A [XXX], 800/343-6913, EXT 458103. SHE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD IF I DID NOT TAKE THE CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER. THEY STILL WOULD CHARGE OVER $100 JUST TO CONNECT TO THE COMPUTER. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE MONIES ALREADY SPENT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OTHER OWNERS OF NISSAN VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST (PATHFINDER, 2002) AND PROBLEM. THAT I HAD BEEN TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECK UP SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW, WHICH COULD BE

Suspension
Filed Jan 3, 2013120,000 milesMN

SHORTLY AFTER ENTERING FREEWAY I HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THE STEERING WHEEL GRABBED TO THE RIGHT. DUE TO LIGHT SNOW AND ICY CONDITIONS AT THE TIME I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING OVER I NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AT ABOUT THE FIRST COIL UP FROM THE BOTTOM. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 31, 2012115,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V244000 (STEERING: COLUMN). HOWEVER, AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE BE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Suspension
Filed Oct 24, 2012CA

WHILE DRIVING TO TEXAS LAST OCTOBER WITH THE WIFE MY VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO WOBBLE LEFT TO RIGHT. THERE WAS A CERTAIN SPEED IN WHICH VEHICLE DID NOT DO IT AND IT WAS 60 MPH. SINCE I AM DISABLED I HAD MY YOUNG BROTHER LOOK INTO IT.SO HE TOOK IT TO A SHOP IN HOUSTON TX AND HAD HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS PUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NEW TIRES. WHEN WE HEADED BACK TO CALIFORNIA THE CAR RAN FINE. MARCH OF THIS YEAR THE WOBBLING PROBLEM CAME BACK. OUR SON CHECKED IT OUT AND SAYS THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDS ALL THE BUSHINGS REPLACED BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THE DEALER OR A PRO SHOP REPAIR IT SOMETHING WHICH WILL COST AN ARM AND A LEG. CAN I GET ANY KIND OF HELP? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed May 10, 2012109,000 milesMT

WE WERE DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON 395 ABOUT 30 MILES SOUTH OF RITZVILLE, AT 3:30 ON SATURDAY, MAY 5TH. CLEAR SKIES, CLEAR ROAD CONDITIONS. SPARSE TRAFFIC, WE WERE IN THE OUTER MOST LANE. KIDS WERE QUIETLY WATCHING DVD IN BACKSEAT, WIFE AND I WERE CASUALLY TALKING. NO MUSIC ON, NO CELLPHONES, NO DISTRACTIONS. ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE HERD A THUNK AND THE REAR TIRES LOCKED UP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND DROPPED THE CLUTCH (MANUAL TRANSMISSION), HOWEVER THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. ESSENTIALLY IT WAS AS IF I HAD SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS. AFTER A SECOND OF SKIDDING, WE STARTED A SLOW SPIN TO THE LEFT, CROSSING THE 'FAST' LANE. WE ENDED UP DOING A 360, THEN HIT THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ROLLED, FINALLY LANDING DRIVER SIDE DOWN. SOMETHING ON THE PATHFINDER MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. I AM HOPING THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, BUT WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT IN CASE THIS IS A MUCH BIGGER ISSUE. *TR

Suspension
Filed May 3, 2012152,348 milesTX

DRIVING AT 65 MPH., THE PATHFINDER ROCKS (WOBBLES) SIDE TO SIDE AND THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER FOR THE DRIVER TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE DRIVER MUST RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE'S SPEED TO SLOW DOWN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PATHFINDER'S RUBBER BUSHINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT PUTS MANY DRIVERS AT RISK. THERE'S NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 27, 2012154,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SHE PASSED OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH HER FOOT STEADILY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.

Suspension
Filed Jan 14, 2012FL

MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL DUE TO RUST. 3 MECHANICS FROM NISSAN DEEMED IT UNREPAIRABLE BECAUSE THE RECALL PROCEDURE. THEY SAID IT WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF A BUYBACK PROGRAM. AFTER WAITING FOR 2 MONTHS THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS FIXED. THE DEALER WAS VERY ELUSIVE WHEN I ASKED HIM WHY THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND, SAYING SOMEONE CAME AND TOLD THEM TO JUST FIX IT FROM NISSAN CORPORATE. HE WOULD NOT CONFIRM TO ME THAT IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT A PROPER FIX. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Dec 6, 2011DC

EMAIL MESSAGE FORWARDED FROM FHWA-WROTE REGARDING THE SAFETY RECALL OF HIS 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW DOES HE NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR HIS VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS NO LONGER REGISTERED IN A SALT STATE. *JB

Suspension
Filed Oct 21, 2011100,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FRAME AND SHOCKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Suspension
Filed Oct 4, 2011IN

THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN TENNESSEE AND MOVED TO INDIANA LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER. SAID VEHICLE HAS ALSO MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO MICHIGAN. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN STATING THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT HOUSING WHICH IN TURN CAN AFFECT THE STEERING. THEY MADE THIS TO SOUND LIKE A MINOR PROBLEM AND TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT IF YOU HEAR NOISE OR HAVE DIFFICULTY STEERING. A CONCERN WOULD BE IF YOU ARE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT SEEMS TO STEER CORRECTLY, HOWEVER HAS A HOUSING THAT IS CRACKED, CORRODED AND CLOSE TO FAILING. WHY WOULD NISSAN NOT RECALL ALL THE VEHICLES TO HAVE THEM CHECKED INSTEAD OF MAKING IT SOUND LIKE THE PROBLEM IS NOT THAT SIGNIFICANT. NISSAN'S NOTE STATES THEY ARE CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A REMEDY FOR THIS CONDITION AND WHEN THE REMEDY IS AVAILABLE THEY WILL SEND A SECOND LETTER ASKING OWNER'S TO BRING IN VEHICLE'S FOR AN INSPECTION AND A REMEDY. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM NISSAN SINCE MY FIRST NOTICE AND THAT WAS MONTHS AGO. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 3, 2011170,000 milesRI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000(STEERING:COLUMN). A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STARTED TO NOTICE PULLING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

Suspension
Filed Sep 18, 201160,000 milesNY

I HAVE BEEN HEARING NOISES IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, FOR MONTHS.THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED RECENTLY,WHICH IS WHEN WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM.WE DISCOVERED A ROTTED FRAME RAIL WHERE THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING MOUNTS TO A PLATE BUILT INTO THE FRAME. THE ROT IS ON BOTH SIDES, BUT MUCH WORSE ON THE PASSENGER REAR. THE SPRING IS ABOUT TO COME THROUGH.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! AND IT'''S OUR CAR,AND WE DON'''T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT. THIS MUST BE HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS AS WELL. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN TO A KEPT UP, BEAUTIFUL 2002 PATHFINDER?? IT MUST HAVE STARTED ROTTING YEARS AGO,PROBABLY WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES, AND THE CAR IS NOW ONLY 9 YRS OLD. THERE IS APPARENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT STRUT HOUSINGS FOR ROT BUT NOT THE REARS. TO KEEP THE CAR, THE OBVIOUS, IS A COSTLY REPAIR. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING-THEY INSPECTED THE CAR IN 2007 WHEN THE CORROSION WARRANTY WAS ACTIVE ON THE FRAME.THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT AND I FEEL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE.THEY ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ME SINCE I WAS TOLD "I DIDN'T SPEND ENOUGH MONEY" AT THE DEALER OVER THE YEARS FOR SERVICE.IT IS 35 MILES FROM MY HOUSE.NISSAN SAYS IT'S AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE" HOW?? THERE IS NO ROT ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR ,INCLUDING THE RECALLED FRONT STRUT TOWERS. THE CAR IS ROTTING AWAY FROM BENEATH ME.I THREATENED TO SUE THEM AND THEY SAID THEY ARE "NOT OBLIGATED" TO REPAIR IT.THEY DON'T CARE.THIS R

Suspension › Front
Filed Sep 12, 2011NH

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER HOUSINGS FOR NISSAN PATHFINDERS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING BECAME SO CORRODED IT BROKE AND MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN APRIL 2011 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

Equipment
Filed Aug 17, 2011GA

I HAVE HAD THE PULLEY REPAIRED ON MY 2002 PATHFINDER REPAIR TWICE, IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN 2008 I BELIEVE. AND IT IS STILL GIVING ME A PROBLEM. THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, AND IN EXTREME HOT WEATHER, MY MOTOR DRAGS, AND IT IS HARD TO START THE ENGINE. THE CD PLAYER NEVER WORK RIGHT. *KB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2011143,123 milesTX

RECENTLY, OUR 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD TO HAVE AN ENGINE REPLACED. THE CAUSE WAS A SET OF VERY SMALL BOLTS IN THE BUTTERFLY VALVE ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NOW A PART OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ENGINE SHOP TECH NOW PERFORMING THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT MENTIONED THAT HE IS SEEING A LOT OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THESE SPECIFIC ENGINES. ALSO, THIS IS THE SECOND 2002 PATHFINDER WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO. THE OTHER ONE WAS MY DAUGHTER'S. I AM AN OPERATIONS RESEARCH SYSTEMS ENGINEER AND KNOW THAT THE PROBABILITY OF THIS OCCURRING TO TWO VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR WITHIN THE SAME FAMILY; BOTH PURCHASED FROM THE SAME LOCATION IS A PRIME INDICATOR OF A SYSTEMIC ENGINEERING PROBLEM. THE FACTORS ARE THAT THE BOLTS WORK LOOSE AND DROP INTO THE CYLINDERS. IF THEY DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN THE CYLINDER, THEY ARE BLOWN OUT THE EXHAUST. IF THEY DO GET CAUGHT BY THE PISTON, THEY SCRATCH THE WALLS OF THE CYLINDERS ALLOWING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OIL TO BE FORCED INTO THE CHAMBER WHERE IT IGNITES AND IS EXHAUSTED. THE SUBSEQUENT REPAIR IS COSTING $5200. IN BOTH OF THESE SITUATIONS, THE OIL RESERVOIR WAS EMPTIED WITHIN 2-3 DAYS. I KNOW THIS AS I CONSTANTLY CHECK VEHICLE FLUIDS (I WAS AN ARMY OFFICER AND HAD A MOTOR POOL). I CAUGHT A LOW OIL QUANTITY IN BOTH VEHICLES; REFILLED THE RESERVOIR; AND CHECKED IN A FEW DAYS TO FIND THEM NEAR EMPTY AGAIN. I ALSO KNOW THAT HAD THE OIL RUN OUT WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AN ENGINE SEIZING COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE A

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 19, 2011167,000 milesIL

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER, 4WD, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS 167000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER PREVIOUSLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 7 MAY 2011. I WAS DOING 35 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SLOWING AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I TAPPED AND RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STILL THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND, ALTHOUGH LACKING POWER, STOPPED THE VEHICLE. I STARTED THE ENGINE AFTER MY STOP. THE ENGINE REVVED TO 6000 RPM PLUS. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN. IT AGAIN REVVED TO 6000 RPM PLUS. I WORKED THE THROTTLE CABLE BY HAND, PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. IT STARTED NORMALLY AND RPM WAS NORMAL - APPROX. 800 RPM. I DROVE HOME WITHOUT MISHAP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER ON 9 MAY 2011. WAS TOLD THAT PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH MECHANIC DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND THROTTLE CABLE WERE REPLACED. DEALER STATES THAT HE IS 90% CERTAIN THAT THIS WILL HAVE RESOLVED/FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 26, 2011152,000 milesWI

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP AND MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE STRUT TOWER CAME LOOSE FROM THE WELDS IN THE WHEEL HOUSING AND PUSHED UP THE STRUT HOUSING INTO THE BRAKE CYLINDER AND BURST THE BRAKE FLUID LINE CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IN WISCONSIN THE WINTER WEATHER IS BAD AND THE RUST AND CORROSION IS NOT UNUSUAL. THE DEALERSHIPS BODY DEPARTMENT SAID IT WOULD COST $2,800 TO REPAIR SO SINCE THE CAR WAS 9 YEARS OLD AND HAD 152,000 MILES ON IT I PURCHASED A NEW CAR. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 26, 2011GA

RECALL ISSUED FOR NISSAN PATHFINDER -1996-2004- STEERING COLUMN- CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON SOME LISTS, WELL IT DOES FALL WITHIN THE MODEL YEARS AND I WANT IT CHECKED. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WAS NOT HELPFUL, ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER, HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. RECALL ISSUED FOR NISSAN PATHFINDER-1996-2004- FRONT SUSPENSION-CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON SOME LISTS, WELL IT DOES FALL WITHIN THE MODEL YEARS AND I WANT IT CHECKED. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WAS NOT HELPFUL, ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER, HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. THE INTERIOR PANEL LIGHTS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, NOT SAFE IF DRIVING AT NIGHT, THIS OCCURS VERY OFTEN AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS REPORTED ISSUE BY NISSAN. *TR

Interior Lighting
Filed Mar 11, 2011GA

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, NO PATTERN. THE LIGHTS BEHIND THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES WILL NOT OPERATE ON OCCASION. TURNING THE LIGHTS ON AND OFF, TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURNING IT BACK ON DOESN'T HELP. BUMPS, TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE, ETC. SEEM TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE ISSUE. IT MAKES IT UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AS YOU CANNOT TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Feb 25, 201191,120 milesCA

ON 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER THE BACK WINDOW ABOVE THE TAIL GATE WILL UNLOCK BY USE OF THE REMOTE. THE WINDOW IS ONLY TO UNLOCK BY USE OF THE KEY. WHEN LOCKING BY REMOTE OR UNLOCKING THE WINDOW POPS OPEN. WHEN DRIVING AN OPEN DOOR LIGHT SHOWS UP AND ALL "DOORS" ARE CLOSED, JUST THE WINDOW UNLOCKED ITSELF. NOTE THAT OVER THE YEARS I HAVE ONLY UNLOCKED THIS WINDOW BY KEY MAYBE 20 TIMES. WHEN UNLOCKING AND LOCKING I MUST NOW CHECK THE WINDOW EACH TIME. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 22, 2010150,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ACCUMULATED EXCESSIVE RUST DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF SALT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE CONTACT SHOULD DISPOSE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN BUT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FRAME RUST AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/7/11 *CN

Structure › Body
Filed May 28, 2010106,000 milesNY

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INNER WHEEL MET THE FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER BY A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RUST SHOULD NOT BE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 106,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

Suspension › Rear
Filed May 10, 201052,000 milesAR

2002 PATHFINDER STARTED SWAYING ALL OVER THE PLACE ON FREEWAY. TAKE FOOT OFF GAS AND IT CALMS. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND IT WAS THE BUSHINGS/BEARINGS. REPLACED THEM FOR A TOTAL OF $380. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTORS...TWICE!! *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 20, 2010120,000 milesGA

OVER 40 MPH, I GET A REAR END SWAY OR WOBBLE WHEN ACCELERATING IN MY '02 NISSAN PATHFINDER . SWAY REVERSES WHEN I LET UP ON THE GAS. FEELS LIKE I'M LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY AN ONLINE MECHANIC THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE REAR SUSPENSION LINKS FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE BUSHINGS ARE TORN OR BROKEN. WHEN BROKEN WILL CAUSE THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK TO FEEL LOOSE. INSPECT ALL 4 REAR LINKS AND REPLACE WHICH EVER LINKS YOU FIND BAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Mar 16, 201065,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 97,000. MILES ON IT. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS AND RECENTLY I HAVE BEGUN TO SMELL EXHAUST INSIDE THE CAR. THIS APPARENTLY IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY NISSAN. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Dec 3, 2009100,000 milesID

CAR DEVELOPS A VIOLENT WOBBLE AT 55-75 MPH WHEN YOU ENGAGE OR RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL NISSAN PATHFINDERS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES. THE REAR TRAILING ARM LINK BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 100K MILES IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE COST TO DO THIS FOR ALL 8 BUSHINGS IS $650-$1000, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GET IT DONE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE JUST THE BUSHINGS AND ONLY SELLS THE ENTIRE TRAILING ARM LINK. THUS, THE COST AT THE DEALERSHIP CAN EXCEED THIS ESTIMATE. MANY SAVVY OWNERS HAVE SOUGHT AFTERMARKET POLYURETHANE BUSHINGS TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM AND AVOID HAVING TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS EVERY 100K MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WOBBLE. I WOULD EXPECT THAT MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THIS CONDITION AND IT IS OFTEN REPORTED AS "DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE." UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NOT THE DRIVER'S FAULT WHEN THE VEHICLE BECOME HIGHLY UNSTABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE SUSPENSION FROM THIS DESIGN. THERE ARE TSBS REGARDING THIS CONDITION, YET NISSAN HAS FAILED TO FIX IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 19, 200971,000 milesTX

1: EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER, 71,000 MILES. LOUD EXHAUST SOUNDS. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT CAR (CHARGED $50 TO LOOK) AND REPORTED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM PIPES GOING INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE CRACKED - AGAIN - ALREADY REPAIRED ONCE. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR/REPLACE WITHOUT CHARGE. THIS IS A RECURRING DEFECT AND POSSIBLY AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM. THE PIPES CARRY EXHAUST FROM ENGINE INTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER AND THEY ARE LEAKING AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE OR MANY OTHERS ONLINE. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SPECIFICALLY TOLD ME, "WE SEE THIS ALOT" ?!?! DEFECTIVE! NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT, I NEED ASSISTANCE ENSURING THAT THE DEALERSHIP TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECURRING ISSUE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 5, 200960,000 milesKY

1. EXHAUST LEAK SOUNDS, EXHAUST INTO CAB OF VEHICLE, LOUD RATTLING SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING. 2. NOTICED AROUND 60,000 MILES, PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE! 3. TAKEN TO NISSAN, NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY FOR DEFECT. NISSAN CLAIMED CRACKED PIPES, NO RECALL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jul 21, 200935,000 milesWA

EXHAUST SYSTEM PROBLEM ON 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. JUST PAID $645.00 TO HAVE TWO CO2 OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACE ON VEHICLE AND THEN WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY RESONATORS REPLACE IN ORDER TO PASS THE EMISSION CONTROL TEST. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EMISSION FROM THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS CO2 SENSORS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Apr 28, 200970,000 milesLA

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK ABOUT 2 YEARS AND 30,000 MILES AGO. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. YOU COULD SMELL THE EXHAUST LEAK AND HEAR THE EXHAUST LEAK. THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE RESONATORS OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.FIGURING THAT MY WARRANTY WAS UP, I HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED AT MY OWN COST. RECENT INVESTIGATION INTO WEBSITE COMPLAINT FORUMS MADE ME REALIZE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR 02-03 NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE 8/80 RULE TO BE FIXED BY NISSAN AT NO COST. THE FAILURE OF NISSAN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES THAT THERE IS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH MANUFACTURING IS AN OUTRAGE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Mar 20, 200928,000 milesMA

THE EXHAUST "RESONATORS" ON MY 2002 PATHFINDER BEGAN TO LEAK AT A WELDED SEAM AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES. THE NISSAN DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST PIPES AND INSISTED ON INSTALLING A PATCH KIT. THIS KIT ONLY LASTS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES AND THEY BEGIN TO LEAK AGAIN. THIS REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED 4 TIMES THUS FAR AND IT IS LEAKING AGAIN. TRUCK NOW HAS 103,000 MILES. NISSAN NOW REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE PATCH. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON SO I SUSPECT THIS IS TIED TO THE EXHAUST LEAK. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT ALLOWS EXHAUST GASES TO COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND ENTER THE CABIN WHEN SITTING IDLE. BASED ON LOCAL DEALERS OWN ADMISSIONS, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 2, 200970 milesVA

DETAILS: WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMERS SINCE 1987 AND MY 2002 PATHFINDER STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD US THAT 2 SCREWS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE POWER VALVE AND WERE BOUNCING AROUND IN THE CYLINDER, AND THERE WAS NOTHING WE HAD DONE WRONG. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NISSAN REFUSE TO CORRECT. I AM TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED FOR $150.00. THE COST OF REPAIR THE PATHFINDER IS $7,899.99 WHICH NISSAN NORTH AMERICAN HAS REFUSE TO PAY. WE HAVE TALKED TO THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST AND SHE REFUSE TO AUTHORIZE THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING A LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMER SINCE 1987, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY REFUSES TO HELP US. I HAVE A 1994 WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. I WENT ON LINE AND FIND OUT THAT MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE KEPT THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 2,000-2,500 MILES. I NEED HELP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Dec 5, 2008MA

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I HAD A LEAK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIPE AT WHAT LOOKS LIKE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I PAID NISSAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A YEAR LATER IT IS LEAKING AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO BE REPAIRED. THEY TOLD ME THE PART ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PIPE IS NOT A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC IT WAS. EITHER WAY THIS SEEMS TO BE A LARGE PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY NISSAN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 12, 2008VA

WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMERS SINCE 1987 AND MY 2002 PATHFINER STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD US THAT 2 SCREWS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE POWER VALVE AND WERE BOUNCING AROUND IN THE CYLINDER, AND THERE WAS NOTHING WE HAD DONE WRONG. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NISSAN REFUSE TO CORRECT. I AM TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED FOR $150.00. THE COST OF REPAIR THE PATHFINDER IS $7,899.99 WHICH NISSAN NORTH AMERICAN HAS REFUSE TO PAY. WE HAVE TALKED TO THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST AND SHE REFUSE TO AUTHORIZE THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING A LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMER SINCE 1987, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY REFUSES TO HELP US. I HAVE A 1994 WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. I WENT ON LINE AND FIND OUT THAT MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE KEPT THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 2,000-2,500 MILES. I NEED HELP. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Nov 6, 2008NY

I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 67,000 MILES. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, MY TWO REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE LEAKING CO2 FROM THEIR SEAMS. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE MANUAL, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL WARRANTY 8/80. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE WHITE PLAINS NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S THE EXHAUST TUBES THAT ARE LEAKING. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT COULD BE REPAIRED BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING AND FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH 2002-2003 PATHFINDERS AND THAT THE EPA HAS NOTIFIED NISSAN IN THE PAST THAT THIS PRODUCTION DEFECT COULD CAUSE HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. I DON'T SEE WHY THEY CAN CALL THESE PARTS "EXHAUST TUBES" WHEN THEY ARE REALLY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND HAVE THEM NOT SUBJECT TO THE FEDERAL WARRANTY. I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH A PRODUCT RECALL. CAN YOU HELP ME IN THIS MATTER? THANK YOU, DORRINE LIVSON *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 23, 200858,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SPLIT IN THE MIDDLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE RESONATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED INSTEAD OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $1,500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECENTLY SMELLED VAPORS COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 11/07/08. *LJ THE FRONT EXHAUST TUBES WERE LEAKING AND VENT CONTROL VALVE WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/07/08. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 28, 200865,000 milesMA

CRACKED RESONATOR/CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT 60K MILES. WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NO COVERED BY NISSAN, THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL, BUT TO PURCHASE A 'FIX' KIT. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE PATHFINDER AND NISSAN WILL NOT RECALL THE ITEMS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 19, 200833,927 milesIL

WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN SEPT 2007, IT HAD 24,509 MILES ON IT. THE EXHAUST SOUNDED SOMEWHAT LOUD BUT NOT TOO ABNORMAL. JUST UNDER A YEAR LATER, THE EXHAUST WAS VERY LOUD AND RATTLING. WE TOOK IT IN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THE FRONT EXHAUST TUBES WERE RUSTED AND LEAK. THEY SAID NISSAN SUPPLIES A 'REPAIR KIT' TO PUT A PATCH ON THESE TUBES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE MANY ENTRIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS. ONE SUCH FORUM CAN BE FOUND AT TOPIX.COM. JUST THE FACT THAT NISSAN SUPPLIES A 'REPAIR KIT' TO FIX THIS EXACT PROBLEM SHOWS THESE EXHAUST TUBES ARE FAULTY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 17, 200864,365 milesIL

RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM EXHAUST. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS A LEAKING CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A CRACKED TUBE IN THE EXHAUST AND THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION FE04-002. REFERENCE NTB04-092. ISSUED 9-1-2004. THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. MY SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, MOSTLY SAFETY RELATED, SEVERAL PEOPLE SUFFERED DIZZINESS WHILE IDLING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEIR FIX IS TO CLAMP A PATCH ON TO THE LEAKING AREA. MANY OF THE REPORTS I READ SAID THAT THIS ALSO FAILS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THEIR SOLUTION IS A FAILURE ALSO. *TR

Seats
Filed Aug 5, 2008TN

THE MOTOR IN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT THAT ALLOWS THE SEAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK HAS FAILED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jul 29, 2008102,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND IT BEGAN SMOKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OVERHEATING AND NOT TO WORRY. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND THE FIRE MARSHALL HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jul 24, 2008CA

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH A SEATBELT DEFECT. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WROTE NISSAN IN APRIL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HE STATES THAT HE HAS THE SAME FAILURE STILL. MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR DIDN'T WORK. *KB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 24, 200885,000 milesKS

MY 2002 PATHFINDER HAS A OVERHEATING PROBLEM. IT BEGAN APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO. WHILE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE TEMP. ROSE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. A LOCAL MECHANIC NOTICED THE A/C COMPRESSOR GOING BAD, REPLACED THIS AND PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED AND BECAME MORE FREQUENT. MECHANIC PRESSURE TESTED RADIATOR, IT SEEMED FINE, FOUND TWO VERY TINY LEAKS, SEALED THEM, PUT ON A NEW RADIATOR CAP. PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER. THEY REPLACED FAN CLUTCH. STILL SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALER TRIED FLUSHING RADIATOR. STILL OVERHEATING. DEALERSHIP THINKS THERE IS SOME KIND OF BLOCKAGE IN THE RADIATOR THAT THEY CANNOT FLUSH OUT. THEY CANNOT CREATE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO FLUSH IT PROPERLY. THEY RECOMMEND A NEW RADIATOR. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO INSTALL IT IN 2 DAYS. HOPEFULLY THIS FIXES MY PROBLEM. I'VE REPLACED THE WHOLE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM? I'VE READ A SERVICE BULLETIN OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANOTHER PERSON. NISSAN CAN'T EXPLAIN CAUSE. CHECK OUT CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10191259. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE WHEN PROBLEMS AROSE: 85,000 MILES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Apr 9, 200815,000 milesCT

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER - SPLIT SEAMS IN RESONATORS / CATALYTIC CONVERTER THE EXHAUST ON THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN A BIT NOISY SINCE IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD. RECENTLY WHEN IT WENT TO A SHOP FOR SOME UNDERCAR WORK, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE BOTH SPLIT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND REQUESTED REPLACEMENT UNDER THE 8 YEAR 80,000 MILE WARRANTY MANDATED ON EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THOSE PARTS WERE INDEED LEAKING BADLY, AND THAT NISSAN HAD SO MANY FAILURES THAT THEY HAD DEVELOPED A SPECIAL PATCH KIT FOR THEM. I DECLINED THE PATCH DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE COST FOR A FEW LARGE CLAMPS AND SOME EXHAUST CEMENT. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH INDICATES THAT NUMEROUS OTHER PATHFINDERS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THUS THERE IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE WELDING OF THE SEAMS OF THIS PART WHICH ACCORDING TO MIDAS IS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ACCORDING TO NISSAN IS A RESONATOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS CARBON MONOXIDE IS BEING RELEASED DIRECTLY UNDER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH NISSAN AND THEY CLAIM IT IS PART OF STANDARD WARRANTY AND THUS NOT COVERED, AND THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I INFORMED THEM OF MY INTENT TO PROCEED WITH COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IF NECESSARY TO FORCE A RECALL OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES FOR ALL OWNERS OF NISSAN PATHFINDERS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder → · Every Pathfinder year → · How the figures are calculated →