RoadVitals

1994 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
91
Latest May 14, 2014
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
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.
10

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 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

  • Engine3534.3%
  • Driver assistance76.9%
  • Transmission76.9%
  • Electrical54.9%
  • Tires & wheels54.9%
  • Brakes54.9%
  • Powertrain (other)32.9%
  • Visibility32.9%
  • Fuel system22.0%
  • Interior & seats22.0%
  • Suspension22.0%
  • Airbags11.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning11.0%

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

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

35
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS VERY LOUD, AND THE EXHAUST SOUNDED AS IF T MARBLES WERE RATTLING AROUND. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR VEHICLES OF SAME MAKE/MODEL AND CERTAIN YEARS, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE BOLTS TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OVERHEATED AND BROKE OFF INTO THE MANIFOLD COVER. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10050251 · filed Dec 8, 2003

UPON TAKING IN THE VEHCILE FOR ROUTINE MAINETENCE, OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, & WINETRISE SPECIAL. WAS INFORMED THAT MY EXAUSHT MANIFOLD BOLTS WERE BROKEN AND NEEDED REPLACING, AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH TWO MAJOR INSPECTIONS NOT OVER A YEAR AGO. 1) FOR PURCHASEING A USED VEHICLE AND 2) FOR OUT OF PROVINCE INSPECTION. NISSAN CANADA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10045435 · filed Nov 4, 2003
All 35 reports naming engine

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TOOK VEHICLE INTO REPAIR SHOP GETTING IT READY FOR INSPECTION. WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS RUSTED OUT AND IS NON-REPAIRABLE. IT NEEDLESS TO SAY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH LOOSING THE REAR WHEELS AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. (TOYOTA HAD SAME ISSUE WITH FRAMES SAME YEARS AND ISSUED A RECALL) LIVES ARE AT STAKE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT ISSUE OR COMPENSATE OWNERS. DOING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS ISSUE I FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON SAME YEARS. WHAT CAN BE DONE. I NOW HAVE A WORTHLESS VEHICLE. NOTE: I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WILL BE SUICIDAL DRIVING THE CAR, AND HE CAN'T REPAIR IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10402138 · filed May 19, 2011

NOTICED SAGGING BUMPER AND TOOK 1994 PATHFINDER IN FOR REPAIRS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. POKED HIS FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME WITH NO EFFORT. CAR HAS BEEN CARED FOR AND HAD UNDERCOATING APPLIED. MECHANICS SAY THEY SEE THIS EXACT PROBLEM QUITE OFTEN. INTERNET SEARCH WILL REVEAL HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES, INCLUDING CAR FALLING APART WHILE MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10344323 · filed Jul 21, 2010
All 24 reports naming body & structure

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN IN FORWARD GEAR AT IDLE THE ENGINE ACCELERATED UP TO 5000 RPM. I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT STOP THE AUTO FROM CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF MY GARAGE CAUSING DAMAGE TO SEVERAL ITEMS IN THE GARAGE. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ABOUT TEN TIMES APPROXIMATELY TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER (PUYALLUP NISSAN, PUYALLUP, WA.) STATE "THIS HAPPENS" WITH PATHFINDERS AND THEY STATED THERE IS NO KNOWN CORRECTION FOR IT. IN ANOTHER CIRCUMSTANCE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED.*AK

NHTSA ID 754841 · filed Nov 24, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, CONSUMER RELEASED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, AND CONSUMER FELT THROTTLE STICKING, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN EVEN AFTER CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, CONSUMER USED BOTH FEET TO APPLY BRAKES, WITNESS STATED REAR WHEELS WERE SPINNING, VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, DEALER CLEANED CARBON BUILD UP IN THROTTLE CHAMBER HOUSING, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE, THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE IN SEPTEMBER 1997, SAME REMEDY APPLIED. *AK THE VEHICLES BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA ID 897691 · filed Oct 12, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION BLEW. THESE CARS ARE SOLD AS CARS WHO HAVE A VERY LONG ENGINE LIFE. I JUST LOVE MY CAR AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I ONLY GOT 125K OUT OF IT. THE BODY AND ALL OTHER PARTS ARE IN GREAT SHAPE. I SERVICE THIS CAR RELIGIOUSLY. I SEE ON YOUR SITE A FAIR AMOUNT OF OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. I LOVE THE CAR SO MUCH, I ALMOST WANTED TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND KEEP DRIVING IT UNTIL I READ ON YOUR SITE THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL. WILL MOST LIKELY PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THANKS

NHTSA ID 10004904 · filed Jan 29, 2003

TRANSMISSION WOULD STICK. WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. WOULD HAVE NO PRIOR WARNING WHEN TRANSMISSION STICKS. WOULD STICK IN 2ND GEAR & ONLY GOING 25MPH. ALSO, DOOR LOCKS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN WHEN KEY IS NOT IN IGNITION. WOULD WORK FINE IF KEY IN IGNITION. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID 865447 · filed Jul 14, 2000

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE I AM DRIVING. "CLICK" "CLICK-CLICK" WHEN I AM DRIVING ALONE AND NOT TOUCHING ANY DOOR CONTROLS. DRIVER DOOR LOCK JAMS EASILY. CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS. GASOLINE DOOR KNOB BY DRIVER'S SEAT. BROKEN QUICKLY. HINGE TO THE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEAT.. BROKEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. INTERIOR PLASTIC LOCKS ON DOORS FELL OFF.

NHTSA ID 10201111 · filed Aug 29, 2007

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, CONSUMER RELEASED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN, AND CONSUMER FELT THROTTLE STICKING, THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN EVEN AFTER CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, CONSUMER USED BOTH FEET TO APPLY BRAKES, WITNESS STATED REAR WHEELS WERE SPINNING, VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, DEALER CLEANED CARBON BUILD UP IN THROTTLE CHAMBER HOUSING, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE, THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE IN SEPTEMBER 1997, SAME REMEDY APPLIED. *AK THE VEHICLES BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA ID 897691 · filed Oct 12, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BRIDGESTONE SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE ATTACHED TO THE TIRE CARRIER ON THE BACK OF TH 1994 NISSAN PATTHFINDER. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NO-ONE WAS NEARBY. THE TIRE WAS RUINED, AND THE TIRE COVER WAS DESTROYED. *AK

NHTSA ID 10194126 · filed Jun 25, 2007

WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH, CONSUMER HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE RAIN AND FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, AND HIT A MERIDIAN. CONSUMER FELT THAT TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE MASTERCRAFT M/S P23575R15. *AK

NHTSA ID 10022550 · filed Jun 6, 2003

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TOOK MY 1994 PATHFINDER FOR FRONT BRAKE SERVICES. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED MY TRUCK AND FOUND THE FRAME COMPLETED RUSTED AND COULD NOT PLACE ON REGULAR LIFT. I WAS TOLD THAT ENTIRE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN HAS RECALL ON PATHFINDER. I FOLLOWED UP WITH NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT 1994 WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST, BUT RECALL ARE FOR 1996 TO 2003 PATHFINDER. I TRY TO AVOID HIGHWAY RATTLER AND SHAKE TOO MUCH, SO I TRY TO DO CITY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10514889 · filed Jun 3, 2013

REAR EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES FAILED. ALSO, FRONT BRAKE CABLE DISINTEGRATED. *AK

NHTSA ID 544675 · filed Oct 21, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON 1994 PATHFINDER VEHICLE. * BF SINCE THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK 5 TIMES FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID 10098940 · filed Oct 28, 2004

1) SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER BROKEN @ 72500 MILES. 2) EXHAUST STUDS BROKEN, TECH BULLETIN OUT (#94041) BUT DEALER WOULDN'T FIX IT.

NHTSA ID 719146 · filed Feb 23, 2000

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE I AM DRIVING. "CLICK" "CLICK-CLICK" WHEN I AM DRIVING ALONE AND NOT TOUCHING ANY DOOR CONTROLS. DRIVER DOOR LOCK JAMS EASILY. CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS. GASOLINE DOOR KNOB BY DRIVER'S SEAT. BROKEN QUICKLY. HINGE TO THE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEAT.. BROKEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. INTERIOR PLASTIC LOCKS ON DOORS FELL OFF. *TR UPDATED 11/1/07 *TR

NHTSA ID 10201112 · filed Aug 29, 2007

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MOULDING IS COMING OFF. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

NHTSA ID 826720 · filed Aug 14, 1998

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MECHANIC STATED UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO GAS LEAK FROM INJECTORS AND PARTS ARE ON NATIONWIDE BACK ORDER FROM JAPAN...I'M WITHOUT A VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 717947 · filed Jan 27, 2000

VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 45-50 MPH MOST OF THE TIME WITH ANY SIGNIFICANT INCLINE.

NHTSA ID 524479 · filed Nov 5, 1997

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE I AM DRIVING. "CLICK" "CLICK-CLICK" WHEN I AM DRIVING ALONE AND NOT TOUCHING ANY DOOR CONTROLS. DRIVER DOOR LOCK JAMS EASILY. CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS. GASOLINE DOOR KNOB BY DRIVER'S SEAT. BROKEN QUICKLY. HINGE TO THE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEAT.. BROKEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. INTERIOR PLASTIC LOCKS ON DOORS FELL OFF. *TR UPDATED 11/1/07 *TR

NHTSA ID 10201112 · filed Aug 29, 2007

POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE I AM DRIVING. "CLICK" "CLICK-CLICK" WHEN I AM DRIVING ALONE AND NOT TOUCHING ANY DOOR CONTROLS. DRIVER DOOR LOCK JAMS EASILY. CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS. GASOLINE DOOR KNOB BY DRIVER'S SEAT. BROKEN QUICKLY. HINGE TO THE COMPARTMENT BETWEEN DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEAT.. BROKEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. INTERIOR PLASTIC LOCKS ON DOORS FELL OFF.

NHTSA ID 10201111 · filed Aug 29, 2007

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WENT TO REPLACE FRONT STRUT ROD BUSHINGS AND FOUND NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH STRUT/TENSION ROD THAT CONNECTS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE ARM WAS BENT AT THE RUSTED SECTION AND WAS NEAR FAILURE. THIS POTENTIAL FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST RUSTED STRUT/TENSION ROD I HAVE FOUND ON PATHFINDERS. WE HAVE A 1992 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM WHEN THEY REPLACE THE BUSHINGS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10588378 · filed May 14, 2014

FRONT TIRES SHOW EXCESSIVE WEAR AND STEEL BELTS. NISSAN IS OFFERING TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. TT

NHTSA ID 958247 · filed Jan 3, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING AN ACCIDENT. NLM

NHTSA ID 784072 · filed Jun 16, 2000

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

EXHAUST MANIFOLD (PASSINGER SIDE) CRACKED DUE TO FATIGUE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK BLOWER NOISE IN A/C SINCE THE BEGINING. *YH

NHTSA ID 865527 · filed Jul 17, 2000

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

Data on this page last refreshed .