RoadVitals

1998 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.
149
Latest Oct 18, 2018
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.
4
Latest Apr 20, 2011
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.
22
29 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 149 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, most frequently naming the suspension, driver assistance and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 88 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

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
11V244000

STEERING:COLUMN; SUSPENSION:FRONT

Apr 20, 2011
195,991 units potentially affected
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
The risk: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
07V435000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Sep 18, 2007
372,250 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.
The risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE11004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Frame/Body Structure Corrosion

Opened Jan 28, 2011
Closed Jun 30, 2011

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

STEERING:COLUMNLed to recall 11V244000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 149
Suspension
Filed Oct 18, 2018

OUR 1998 PATHFINDER HAS WHAT IS DESCRIBED BY MANY PEOPLE AS A "DEATH WOBBLE." IT BEGAN AFTER WE BOUGHT IT IN 2003 AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. IT HAPPENED AS RECENTLY AS 2017 AND I AM BEGINNING TO BE AFRAID TO RIDE IN IT. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IT GRADUALLY GETS WORSE. REDUCING YOUR SPEED DOES HELP. IT APPEARS TO BEGIN BECAUSE OF A SMALL, UNEVEN PLACE IN THE HIGHWAY ROAD, BUT THEN DOESN'T STOP SHAKING BACK AND FORTH, SIDE TO SIDE. IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER HAVING IT SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. EACH TIME WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BE REPAIRED THE SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM CALLLING IT A "DEATH WOBBLE" AND REPLACE THE STRUTS AND OTHER AFFECTED PARTS. IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE. WE'VE DONE THIS 2-3 TIMES BUT AFTER A COUPLE YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP OWNERS OF THE NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH THIS DEFECT? IT'S EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND TERRIFIES BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. PLEASE SEARCH ONLINE: 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER DEATH WOBBLE AND YOU WILL READ HUNDREDS OF POSTS AND UTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US.

NHTSA ID
11141343
Incident
Oct 1, 2003
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 16, 2017

I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO ALMOST BE COMPLETLY GONE FROM RUSTING OUT. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT. SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE. IM CALLING CORPORATE IN THE MORNING. HOPEFULLY THEY DONT TRY TO BEAT AROUND BUSH WITH ME LIKE THEY DO TO ALL THERE CUSTOMERS THEY DO WRONG.

NHTSA ID
11033497
Incident
Sep 8, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 18, 2017
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED DURING A RAINSTORM, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON IMPACT, THE CONTACT AND HER DAUGHTER STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND GLASS WAS INSERTED INTO THE PASSENGER'S HEAD. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PARTIALLY, IN A BALLOON-LIKE FASHION, AND THE POWDER FROM THE AIR BAG ENTERED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TEMPORARILY BLINDED AND SUFFERED NECK PAIN FROM THE IMPACT OF THE WINDSHIELD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR BOTH OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION IN ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11016265
Incident
Feb 8, 1998
Mileage
3,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2017

WE OWN A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE . THE ORDER OF GASOLINE WAS SO STRONG IT FILLED THE FIRST FLOOR OF MY HOME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. HE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL OF FUEL MY RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE FILLER TUBE HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MILEAGE IS 153K.

NHTSA ID
10983153
Incident
May 1, 2017
Mileage
153,600 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed May 2, 2017
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH OR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,548.

NHTSA ID
10983055
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
176,548 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE UNI-BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ID
10970892
Incident
Apr 3, 2017
Mileage
176,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 17, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10725792
Incident
May 18, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN

NHTSA ID
10721847
Incident
May 14, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

NTB08-097L

STEERING

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB23-053

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

NTB23-049

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

NTB13-107F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB16-003C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB09-081J

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

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
1998Viewing1494159.6
19972174157.9
19961595159.3
19951700038.4
1994912156.0
1993490038.1
1992300041.1
1991391150.4
1990382152.4
1989152157.0
1988172145.4
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.