RoadVitals

1988 Nissan Pathfinder

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Oct 2, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts741.2%
  • Engine529.4%
  • Tires & wheels317.6%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%
  • Steering15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103002

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
2,730,462 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V072000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Apr 17, 1990
750,000 units potentially affected
The defect: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
The risk: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95007ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 2, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103002

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 17
Seat belts
Filed Oct 2, 2008

MY DAUGHTER, SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WENT TO PUT ON SEAT BELT AND THE BUCKLE SIDE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ANCHORED DOWN TO FRAME CAME OFF IN HER HAND. THANKFULLY IT WAS BEFORE WE STARTED DRIVING. 1ST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I BOLTED IT BACK DOWN TO FLOOR FRAME. I CALLED NISSAN AND REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED. THE LADY SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME AFTER TAKING ALL THE INFORMATION ON WHAT HAPPENED. I NEVER HEARD BACK. DATE BELOW IS VERY APPROXIMATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244223
Incident
Apr 20, 2008
Mileage
148,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 21, 2001

TIRE TREAD CAME OOF WHILE FREEWAY DRIVING, STILL INFLATED TO 30PSI (DOT NUMBER: 08/93 TIRESIZE: 31X10.50)

NHTSA ID
748880
Incident
Jul 18, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 1, 2001

WHEN DRIVING HOME A 18" SECTION OF TIRE TREAD CAME OFF. COOPER TIRES HAD PROBLEMS WITH TREAD SEPARATION UNDER WET CONDITIONS. THEY WOULD FIX THIS BY POKING A HOLE THROUGH THE TREAD TO RELEASE THE AIR BUBBLE. IN MY OPPINION THIS IS UNEXEPTABLE! WHEN I ASKED PEP BOYS FOR HELP THEY SAID BUY A NEW ONE, AGAIN AN UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER. TWO MACHANICES BOTH SAY IT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. IT JUST SO HAPPENNED TO BE RAINING IN VEGAS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE TIRE PROBLEMS. PLEAS HELP. THANK YOU. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 30HH/86K35 TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)

NHTSA ID
741757
Incident
Feb 28, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 2, 2000

I BROUGHT MY TIRE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T THE TIRES THAT GOT RECALLED. BUT WHEN I BROUGHT MY TIRES TO BIG O TO HAVE THE DAMAGED TIRE AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE REPLACED, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRES WERE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. ALTHOUGH THE TIRES HAD THE LEMANS BRAND NAME ON THEM, THEY ARE FIRESTONE MADE TIRES AND HAVE THE SAME DOT NUMBER AS THE TIRES THAT WERE RECALLED. AS OF TODAY, FIRESTONE IS NOT RECALLING ANY TIRES THAT DO NOT HAVE THE FIRESTONE BRAND NAME ON THEM. I FELT THAT YOU SHOULD BE INFORMED THAT THE TIRES MADE UNDER FIRESTONE'S PRIVATE SECTOR ARE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AND JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE FIRESTONE NAME ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT DEFECTIVE AND HAVE NO NEED OF RECALL. THANKYOU( DOT NUMBER: VDHL TIRE SIZE: P835/75R15 )

NHTSA ID
729977
Incident
Aug 27, 2000
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 13, 2000

I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE PATHFINDER AND MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 3, 2000. WE WERE TRAVELING ON A BLACKTOP SECONDARY ROAD WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. MY SON WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT. WE SOON REALIZED THAT THE LOW BEAMS WOULD STILL WORK AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY HOME. THE LOW BEAMS STILL WORK AND WE ARE STILL ABLE TO USE THE PATHFINDER EVEN AT NIGHT, BUT THE HIGH BEAMS STILL DON'T WORK. MY CONCERN IS FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE OPERATING THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN PATHFINDER AS WELL AS THOSE WHO COULD BE IN THE VICINTY IF THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN IN THEIR VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
720067
Seat belts
Filed Oct 15, 1999

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO REMAIN LOCKED WHEN IN USE. DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK

NHTSA ID
850805
Steering
Filed Sep 14, 1999

REPORTING LOCKING PIN BROKE, PREVENTING STEERING WHEEL FROM UNLOCKING. SEEKING HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. ALSO DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID
847730
Incident
Sep 9, 1999
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 1999

LEFT FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS AND WARPED MANIFOLD. YH

NHTSA ID
782012
Incident
Sep 1, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB-09-101

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB

NTB-09-129

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

NISSAN: VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT. WHEN REPLACING THE EVAP CANISTER VENT CONTROL VALVE FOR REASON: USE THE ONE LISTED ON PAGE 2; FOR VENT CONTROL VALVE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE, REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE SECTION OF THE ELECTRONIC SERVICE MANUALS (ESM; WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW VALVE, DO NOT ADD ANY LUBE TO ITS O RING; FOR FRONTIER (D40 SERIES) ONLY, INSTALL THE PROTECTOR LISTED IN PARTS INFORMATION. *PE INCLUDES 2005-09 FRONTIER. UPDATED 12/8/10. *PE

NTB-09-030

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

NISSAN: THE 12 VOLT BATTERY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND IS REQUIRED TO STAY CONNECTED WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS/CAUTIONS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

99022

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT

NTB99022C

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT

NTB01031

SUBJECT REGARDING ESSENTIAL TOOL - REAR AXLE BEARING REMOVAL KIT. *TTTHE KIT IS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL AND AND WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SENT TO ALL NISSAN DEALERS.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan Pathfinder by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026800—
2025471049.7
2024732052.2
20231011046.8
20221335054.1
2021000—
2020470041.9
2019742053.4
2018773053.3
20171842048.8
20161052156.1
20153195154.6
201457411361.4
201389011458.3
2012232053.1
2011452040.3
2010405150.8
2009374150.8
20083285151.5
20075612148.5
20068375151.0
20051,0504150.9
2004677454.6
20031107461.8
20021569259.8
20012307156.9
20001126156.4
19991045160.2
19981494159.6
19972174157.9
19961595159.3
19951700038.4
1994912156.0
1993490038.1
1992300041.1
1991391150.4
1990382152.4
1989152157.0
1988Viewing172145.4
1987192149.6
1986100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.