1991 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission1430.4%
- Engine817.4%
- Tires & wheels48.7%
- Steering36.5%
- Fuel system36.5%
- Seat belts36.5%
- Interior & seats24.3%
- Electrical24.3%
- Driver assistance24.3%
- Visibility12.2%
- Brakes12.2%
- Heating & air conditioning12.2%
- Suspension12.2%
- Body & structure12.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNKNOWN TO ME AS EXPLAINED TO ME BY TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DISINTEGRATING OVER TIME PUTTING DEBRIS INTO TRANSMISSION COOLER LOCATED INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THIS CLOGGED UP THE RADIATOR THUS PREVENTING COOLING OF TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION GEARS THUS WORE OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE MECHANIC WHOSE SPECIALTY IS TRANSMISSIONS HAS RECEIVED BULLETINS FROM HIS TRADE ASSOCIATION AND NISSAN ON THIS MATTER BUT AT THE TIME COULD ONLY SHOW ME BULLETIN FROM THE "INFINITY Q45 "MODEL WHO HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND PROBLEMS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT NISSAN ADVICE WAS TO ADD AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH WOULD ALLOW A LITTLE LONGER LIFE, BUT EVENTUALLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL GO. I HAD ONLY 62K MILES AND CONSIDER THIS NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS THUS WILL NOT HELP OUT ON EXPENSES. I FEEL THEY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING SINCE THEY KNOWINGLY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS A POORLY MANUFACTURED TORQUE CONVERTER. *AK
NO SUMMARY
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
LH AND RH EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS FAILED.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS CAME APART. *AK
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1991 NISSAN PATHFINDER DEVELOPING PROBLEMS WITH THE GOODYEAR FORTERA TIRE EQUIPMENT. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ONE OF THE VEHICEL' S FRONT TIRES WAS CUPPED SEVERELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WANDER WHEN DRIVEN (GOODYEAR FORTERA H1). *NM
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK, DOT BB604RB307. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING MECHNISM HAS FAILED, CAUSING UNVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL STUCK WHEN ACCELERATING ON AN INCLINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL TANK WAS NEITHER DAMAGED OR RUSTY, YET AT ONLY 65K MILES IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THE TANK FAILED THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED PRESSURE TEST IN DE WHEN UNDERGOING ITS 2 YEARLY INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TANK HAD WARPED JUST ENOUGH WHERE THE PUMP SEALS TO THE TANK THAT IT WAS BUBBLING AND AS THE TANKS WERE MADE OUT OF TOO THIN A METAL AT THAT POINT, AND AS THIS WAS THE 4TH ONE TO GO THIS YEAR AND THEY HAD ALREADY TRIED 2 SEALS, AND LIQUID SEALANT, ALL TO NO EFFECT, THAT I THEREFORE NEEDED A NEW TANK. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE AN ITEM THAT SHOULD LAST A VEHICLES LIFETIME. ALSO, AS ONLY A FEW STATES HAVE THE PRESSURE TEST, JUST HOW MANY OF THESE OLDER PATHFINDERS ARE IN USE THAT HAVE DEFECTIVE SEALS, POLLUTING THE ATMOSPHERE AND POSING A FIRE HAZARD, THAT ARE CURRENTLY GOING UNNOTICED? IS THIS SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL AND RESOLVE AS A MATTER OF SAFETY. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED AS TO THE OUTCOME. THANKYOU,
AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL STUCK WHEN ACCELERATING ON AN INCLINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL 95V103002 REPAIRS WERE PREVIOUSLY DONE. HOWEVER, SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE FAILING TO REMAIN LOCKED, PREVENTING PASSENGERS FROM BEING PROPERLY RESTRAINED. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
THE FRONT PASSENGER TAKATA SEAT BELT COMES LOOSE AT ANYTIME. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE IN A CAR CRASH REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS RECLINED UPON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
SEAT BACK COLLAPSED INTO BACK SEAT, WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING INJURY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED ON HOT DAYS AFTER RUNNING HEATER ON HIGH FOR AN HOUR OR LONGER. *AK
ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL STUCK WHEN ACCELERATING ON AN INCLINE.
STARTING VEHICLE, POUNDED ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL MUST SHIFT GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER WINDOWS INOPERATIVE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR DRUM AUTOMATIC BRAKE ADJUSTERS ARE INOPERATIVE, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE CAPABILITY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL STUCK WHEN ACCELERATING ON AN INCLINE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING MECHNISM HAS FAILED, CAUSING UNVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR FRAME ON THESE SUV RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WAS PULL A SMALL TRAILER AND THE FRAME AT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL COME APART AND WENT TO MANY JUNKYARDS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDER FROM 89-95 THEY RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT GIVING NO WARNING THAT IT IS FAILING, SOME THAT I CHECK WITH A HAMMER AT THE JUNKYARD THE HAMMER WENT THREW THE FRAMES, NISSAN HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK IF THE FRAME IS WEAK ,WITH NO WARNING !!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .