RoadVitals

1996 Nissan Pathfinder Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
12
Latest Dec 28, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 159 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Dec 28, 2017

CAR HAS MANY AFTER MARKET PARTS WHICH ARE OLD AND RUSTED WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN EVEN AFTER REPLACING MANY PARTS ALSO WHEN SEARCHING GOR PARTS ITS HARD TO FIND I HAVE TO GET PARTS FOR A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHEN MY VEHICLE IS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER

NHTSA ID
11057162
Incident
Dec 28, 2017
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 26, 2005

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE STARTER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK INTERMITTENTLY AND JOLT FORWARD. *SC

NHTSA ID
10105578
Incident
Nov 9, 2004
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 18, 2003

I HAVE HAD THE ECU ON MY 1996 PATHFINDER XE REPLACED TWO TIMES WITHIN THE 1 YEAR OF OWNING IT. AT THIS RATE I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. NLM

NHTSA ID
10016178
Incident
May 3, 2003
Electrical
Filed Jan 10, 2001

TRUCK WILL NOT START AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND COLD TEMPERATURE, THEREFORE LEAVING YOU STRANDED IN COLD WEATHER. NISSAN IS AWARE OF DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
739137
Incident
Dec 22, 1999
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2000

VEHICLE FAILS TO START AT LOW TEMPERATURES/ HIGH ALTITUTE UPON COLD STARTUP. VERY DANGEROUS IN REMOTE AREAS OF COLORADO IN THE WINTER AS TEMPERATURES BEGIN TO DROP. *AK

NHTSA ID
737757
Incident
Dec 8, 2000
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 15, 2000

EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM CD PLAYER, CAUSED PREMATURE FAILURE OF DASH LIGHTS (AC & OTHER). *AK

NHTSA ID
724058
Incident
Jan 15, 2000
ElectricalSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 4, 1999

THERE IS A LEAKAGE COMING FROM STRUTS. ALSO, STEERING LOCKS UP AND VEHICLE WON'T START UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
849758
Incident
Nov 1, 1996
AirbagsElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Apr 21, 1999

MOTOR REPLACED. MJS

NHTSA ID
545111
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 15, 1997

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
519441
Incident
May 22, 1996
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Jun 13, 1997

ECU SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO SURGE.

NHTSA ID
518544
Incident
Feb 27, 1997
Electrical
Filed Sep 24, 1996

DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM THE STARTING POSITION, THE VEHICLE STALLS.*AK

NHTSA ID
802863
Incident
Sep 20, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jun 3, 1996

DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON, DEALER SAID THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
985136
Incident
Jun 1, 1996

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Suspension64Steering24Brakes15Tires & wheels14Engine14Body & structure11Airbags11Driver assistance9Powertrain (other)8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .