1994 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 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%
- Body & structure2423.5%
- 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.
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
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
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
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
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
REAR EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLES FAILED. ALSO, FRONT BRAKE CABLE DISINTEGRATED. *AK
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.
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
1) SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER BROKEN @ 72500 MILES. 2) EXHAUST STUDS BROKEN, TECH BULLETIN OUT (#94041) BUT DEALER WOULDN'T FIX IT.
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 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
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MOULDING IS COMING OFF. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
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
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
VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 45-50 MPH MOST OF THE TIME WITH ANY SIGNIFICANT INCLINE.
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
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
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.
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
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
FRONT TIRES SHOW EXCESSIVE WEAR AND STEEL BELTS. NISSAN IS OFFERING TO REPLACE TWO TIRES. TT
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING AN ACCIDENT. NLM
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
EXHAUST MANIFOLD (PASSINGER SIDE) CRACKED DUE TO FATIGUE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK BLOWER NOISE IN A/C SINCE THE BEGINING. *YH
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 .