1998 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 1998 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
- Suspension4726.6%
- Driver assistance169.0%
- Brakes158.5%
- Body & structure147.9%
- Transmission147.9%
- Fuel system126.8%
- Steering116.2%
- Airbags105.6%
- Tires & wheels105.6%
- Powertrain (other)63.4%
- Engine63.4%
- Other / unspecified52.8%
- Electrical52.8%
- Seat belts42.3%
- Visibility21.1%
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND SUV STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE SEVERELY..I HAD TO BRAKE FAST ..THEN WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOBBLED WORSE...I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL...COULD NOT GO OVER 30...VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY...I LOOKED IT UP ON FORUMS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM....EVERYBODY THAT OWNS THEM HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE AT ALL DIFFERENT MILEAGES..THEY REFER TO IT AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ONLINE...MILLIONS OF VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM FAULTY BUSHINGS AND TRAILING ARMS....YET THEY "NISSAN" REFUSE TO RECALL OR PAY TO FIX IT...HERE IS "NISSANS" BULLETIN I FOUND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE....THEY SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL...I HOPE THAT THIS GETS SOME ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION: RA97-002 REFERENCE: NTB98-001 DATE: APRIL 1, 1998 PATHFINDER VEHICLE PULL AND FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION EXCESSIVE PLAY APPLIED VEHICLE: 1996-98 PATHFINDER (R50) APPLIED VIN: VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE JN8AR05Y*WW256932 SERVICE INFORMATION IF A 1996-98 PATHFINDER EXHIBITS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS, THE CAUSE MAY BE FROM WORN BUSHING(S) IN THE REAR SUSPENSION UPPER AND/OR LOWER LINKS. * EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE REAR AXLE ESPECIALLY DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. * VEHICLE PULLING AT A CONSTANT SPEED * EXCESSIVE SWAY AND ROCKING MOTION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S EYES AND HER HAND. A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MORLEY VEHICLE SERVICES (HEREINAFTER "MVS") & NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. (HEREINAFTER "NNAI") IMPROPERLY HANDLING A RECENT RECALL ON HIS 1998 NISAN PATHFINDER (HEREINAFTER "VEHICLE"). 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WE DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO AUTONATION NISSAN ARAPAHOE (HEREINAFTER "AN") ON MARCH 7, 2014 FOR INSPECTION DUE TO SAFETY RECALLS, AT LEAST 1 OF WHICH AFFECTS STEERING & BREAKS, & COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE WE MADE SURE AN WAS AWARE OF ALL THE PUBLICLY REPORTED RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE & ABNORMAL PERFORMANCE RELATED TO THE BREAKS & STEERING. [XXX], AN EMPLOYEE AT AN THAT "HE DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IN ITS CONDITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR INSPECTION." [XXX] OF MVS ON MARCH 21, 2014. STATED, "THE 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD BEEN SUBMITTED FOR INSPECTION FOR THE NISSAN CORROSION RECALL." AFTER THIS CALL, NEITHER HER, NOR MVS GAVE PROACTIVE UPDATES ON THE STATUS OF HIS VEHICLE. WHEN CONTACTING AN ABOUT HIS VEHICLE, THEY INFORMED THAT MVS HAS INSTRUCTED THEM TO "KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF THE VEHICLE. " AFTER WEEKS OF NOT HEARING BACK FROM MVS, WE REACHED OUT TO AN & WAS ADVISED BY [XXX], OF AN ON APRIL 14, 2014 THAT "HIS TEAM WAS NOT CONVINCED THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTORED TO ITS SAFE CONDITION & HE HAS ADVISED MVS OF THEIR CONCERN, HOWEVER, MVS DISREGARDED THEIR CONCERN & INSISTED AUTONATION FIX THE VEHICLE." ON APRIL 15, 2014, AN STATED THEIR INTENT TO DELIVER THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. WE'RE VERY ALARMED THAT MVS & NNAI CHOSE TO SEND THE VEHICLE TO A BODY-SHOP. BODY SHOPS DO NOT SPECIALIZE IN STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY & SAFETY OF VEHICLES. WE'RE CONCERNED HIS VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE & OUR CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S EYES AND HER HAND. A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I AM HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER DUE TO CORROSION. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY MUFFLER FELL OFF. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WHEN THEY RAISED THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD CORROSION AND HOLES FROM IT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY LAST YEARS STRUT HOUSING CORROSION WHICH BROKE OFF THE STRUT FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOST BRAKES AND HAD TO STEP ON PEDAL ALL THE WAY, AND THEN THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE RECALL NOTICE CAME AFTER THE INCIDENT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S GAS TANK CORROSION WHICH CAUSED GAS TO DRIP. ALSO A RECALL NOTICE CAME IN AND NISSAN DEALER FIXED ISSUE. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
RPM'S JUMP FROM 2.5K TO 4K RANDOMLY AND REPEATEDLY WHEN DRIVING ON A LEVEL AND SMOOTH ROAD AT 65 MPH. SOMETIMES RPM'S STAY AT 4K AT 50 MPH WHEN IT SHOULD BE 2K. *JB
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK MILEAGE AT 88000 ON THE PATHFINDER WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE PLANETARIUM ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT NOW I NEED TO REBUILD OR GET A NEW ONE AND THIS IS NOT THE ONLY 1998 VEHICLE I BEEN HEARING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR PATHFINDER TRANSMISSION. *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT REAR TIRE BLOWOUT ON AUGUST 21, 2005, A BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T, BRAND, OF 4 TIRES BOUGHT AND INSTALLED ON AUGUST 2, 2005 IN A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER AT A COSTCO STORE IN CAGUAS, PR. THIS TIRE BLOWOUT CAUSED SUV DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND HIT A MEDIAN STEEL FENCE ON EXPRESSWAY PR 22. VEHICLE DECLARED TOTAL LOSS BY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIM ADJUSTOR.*JB
WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN BUCKING AND STALLING UNTIL IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY, WE RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPT WHO INFORMED US THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS DAMAGED. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL DEFECT ON THE PART AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS VERY UNCOMMON. THE TRANSFER CASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON THE PATHFINDER - WHICH IS SOMETHING WE HAVE PROBABLY USED LESS THAN 10 TIMES IN THE 4 1/2 YEARS THAT WE HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR. PARTS AND LABOR ON THIS REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $2,500. I ASKED FOR NISSAN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND CONTACTED THEM IMMEDIATELY. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE PART HAD TO BE SPECIALLY ORDERED AND WOULD NOT BE FIXED FOR 4-5 DAYS. ON THE 4TH DAY, WE WERE CONTACTED BY THE SERVICE DEPT TO INFORM US THAT THEY HAD REPLACED THE PART, BUT THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD APPARENTLY DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WOULD BE THE TOTAL OF REPAIRS TO APPROX $5,000. AGAIN, I CONTACTED THE NISSAN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE BECAUSE I HAD NOT GOTTEN A TELEPHONE CALL FROM MY ORIGINAL CALL. WHEN WE FINALLY REACHED SOMEONE AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT WE EXPLAINED THAT WE HAD GOTTEN ALL THE RECOMMENDED PREVENTATIVE MAINTENACE ON THE PATHFINDER. THIS WAS ALSO THE 3RD NISSAN WE HAD PURCHASED AND UP UNTIL NOW HAD BEEN VERY SATISFIED WITH THEIR RELIABILITY. GIVEN OUR PURCHASE AND MAINTENANCE HISTORY,WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE FROM THE SERVICE DEPT THAT NISSAN WOULD GIVE US A BREAK ON THE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE DEFECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DETECTED DURING OUR REGULAR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE (WHICH TOTALS IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) AND THAT WHAT WAS AN OTHERWISE WELL MAINTAINED TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED BY A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. NISSAN'S FINAL RESPONSE WAS THAT WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING FOR US. WHY WAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT NOT RECALLED? *NLM
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER DUE TO CORROSION. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY MUFFLER FELL OFF. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WHEN THEY RAISED THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD CORROSION AND HOLES FROM IT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY LAST YEARS STRUT HOUSING CORROSION WHICH BROKE OFF THE STRUT FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOST BRAKES AND HAD TO STEP ON PEDAL ALL THE WAY, AND THEN THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE RECALL NOTICE CAME AFTER THE INCIDENT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S GAS TANK CORROSION WHICH CAUSED GAS TO DRIP. ALSO A RECALL NOTICE CAME IN AND NISSAN DEALER FIXED ISSUE. *TR
1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER TRUCK SPUTTERING AND SHUTS OFF AS IM DRIVING UP INTERSTATE 95...INTAKE FLAW AFTER YOUR TRUCK REACHES 140,000 MILES A MIXTURE OF GAS,ANTI-FREEZE, AND AIR SPILLS INTO THE INTAKE SYSTEM....THOUGHT IT NEEDED A FULL TUNE UP HAD IT TOWED TO ALL TUNE AND LUBE PAID $700.00 FOR FULL TUNE UP , REPLACED INTAKE AND DISTRIBUTOR...NISSAN WOULD NOT REIMBURSE MY MONEY KNOWING IT HAD A PRODUCTION LINE FLAW ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 10/10/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRUT CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER BOTH STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/31/2015 *JS
VEHICLE STRUT HOUSING AND STRUT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE ,FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT. ALL SERVICES WAS DONE BY A MECHANIC AND CHARGED FOR LABOR AND PARTS. PLEASE EMAIL ME ABOUT THIS @[XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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
ENGINE LOSES RPM'S AND STOPS RUNNING RANDOMLY. AFTER DISTRIBUTOR COOLS DOWN ENGINGE RUNS FINE FOR A WHILE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR 30 MINUTES. AT NEXT START UP BATTERY EXPLODED.*AK ACID WAS SPRAYED IN ENGINE AREA AND DAMAGED HEADLINER. *SLC
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
DRIVERS SIDE SAFETY BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTS SOMETIMES.
WITHOUT WARNING CHILD SAFETY SEAT HANDLE BROKE OFF WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING THE SEAT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *MR
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
NO SUMMARY LIASTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
BATTERY WENT DEAD (7 VOLTS). SUN ROOF STUCK IN OPEN POSITION. *AK
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 .