2003 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems

Buying a used vehicle checking on issues

NHTSA ID

11697084

Incident

Nov 2, 2025

WE WERE DRIVING OUR PATHFINDER HOME IN THE WINTER THE ECSESSIVE AMOUNT OF SALT ON THE ROAD CAUSED OUR MAIN WATER FLOW TO CORRODE AND STALL THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE RADIATORS THERMOSTAT TO BREAK AND THE CAR OVERHEATED.

NHTSA ID

11279151

Incident

Oct 20, 2018

Mileage

108,250 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH MUFFLERS WERE RUSTED OUT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE REAR MUFFLER AND REAR TAIL PIPE WERE DETACHED DUE TO THE RUST. IN ADDITION, FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11278458

Incident

Nov 5, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE TO LEVEL INDICATED. ON EMPTY INDICATES FULL TANK. ONCE FILLED IT WILL REMAIN ACCURATE UNTIL 1/2 EMPTY THEN BEGINS TO CHANGE LEVELS EACH TIME VEHICLE IS STARTED. AT TIMES IT READS FULL, OTHER TIMES 1/2 FULL AND THEN JUMPING TO FULL. MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL SENDER UNIT WITH NISSAN PARTS FROM DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM REMAINS. PRESENTING A PO462 CODE BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER REPLACING OF FLOAT AND SENDER UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10562265

Incident

Jan 9, 2014

Mileage

108,015 mi

ENGINE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS RUSTED THROUGH BETWEEN THE RESONATOR AND MUFFLER. THE FLANGE CONNECTING THE 2 EXHAUST COMPONENTS IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND THE OEM EXHAUST COMPONENTS WHERE MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. HOWEVER, THE FLANGES AND CONNECTORS TO THE WHOLE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHERE DESIGNED WITH STEEL COMPONENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10524438

Incident

Jul 1, 2013

Mileage

140,580 mi

THE PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST SYSTEM SEPARATED (RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH) AT THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY. THIS WILL BE THE 3RD EXHAUST SYSTEM ON THE CAR. THE FIRST ONE WAS REPLACED WHILE UNDER WARRANTEE BECAUSE OF A CO2 CANISTER FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509294

Incident

Apr 8, 2013

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON FREEWAY WITH 1/4 TANK OF FUEL - ENGINE STALLED IN FAST LANE AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I WAS STUCK IN THE TRAFFIC LANE FOR 40 MINS UNTIL THE STATE POLICE HAD A TOW TRUCK TOW ME AWAY. TURNS OUT, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INACCURATE BECAUSE MY TANK WAS EMPTY. MY GAUGE GOES ABOVE THE F WHEN I FILL UP AND IT IS EMPTY AT JUST ABOVE A THE 1/4 MARK. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OVER A FAULTY GAS GAUGE THAT SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM AFTER SEEING ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. WHEN THE GAUGE GOES BAD - THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON SO I WAS COMPLETELY CAUGHT OFF GUARD. I WAS A SITTING DUCK ON THE FREEWAY WITH CARS SLAMMING ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME EVEN WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10488758

Incident

Oct 29, 2010

Mileage

73,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10410829

Incident

Jul 6, 2011

Mileage

175,000 mi

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID THE PASSENGER SIDE RESONATOR WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE OUTBOARD SEAM. THE DRIVER SIDE RESONATOR WAS LEAKING OUT OF BOTH THE OUTBOARD AND INBOARD SEAM. THE EXHAUST COULD BE VERY EASILY FELT WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THERE IS EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE MUFFLER WAS FREELY SWINGING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE MUFFLER. THE RESONATORS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY NISSAN AS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HOPE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING OR THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS FILED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10311834

Incident

Nov 1, 2009

Mileage

75,000 mi

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE IN JULY 03. IN 2007, THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED US THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE PIPE AND THE 02 SENSOR WAS MAKING THE LIGHT COME ON. THEY NEVER INFORMED US OF A PATCH KIT AVAILABLE. WE DID HAVE THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED IN 2008. WE LATER CAME TO FIND OUT THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING FOR MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. WE ARE DOUBLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AFFECT THAT THIS HAS HAD ON MY 3 YEAR OLD'S ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY ISSUES (CONSIDERING THE EMISSIONS ISSUES AND WHAT I AM HEARING FROM OTHER'S WHO'S SMALL CHILDREN HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES AND WHO ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR 03 PATHFINDER). I WOULD HOPE THAT A RECALL IS REQUIRED AND THAT THOSE OF US AFFECTED WILL BE DULY COMPENSATED FOR NISSAN'S SAFETY FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10278049

Incident

Aug 23, 2007

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RESIGNATOR, WHICH QUIETS THE ENGINE AND IS LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE MUFFLER, IS COMING APART. IN ADDITION, FUMES WERE NOTICED COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE A REPLACEMENT KIT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT WANT THE KIT. HE WOULD LIKE THE FAILURE TO BE REPAIRED INSTEAD. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA ID

10264062

Incident

Oct 9, 2008

Mileage

73,000 mi

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH CRACKED EXHAUST PIPES. THESE PIPES ARE CRACKING ON 02-04 PATHFINDERS, AND THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM. NISSAN PROVIDES (FOR $200 PER SIDE) A PATCH THAT INCLUDES A BRACKET FILLED WITH FOAM AND SOME HOSE CLAMPS. THIS PATCH LASTED ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. NISSAN WILL RE-PATCH FOR ANOTHER $400, OR REPLACE THE PARTS (PRESUMABLY WITH MORE DEFECTIVE PARTS) FOR UPWARDS OF $1500. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR A DISCUSSION AMONG THE DOZENS OF OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM : HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/NISSAN/TTG7L43U0AKTKACBF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10255537

Incident

Aug 1, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

EMISSIONS CODE FOR A LOOSE GAS CAP CONTINUALLY WENT OFF. TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AFTER SEEING SELLING DEALER 3 TIMES THERE IS A CRACKED VENT CONTROL VALVE CAUSING A VAPOR LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10254305

Incident

Jun 13, 2008

Mileage

51,000 mi

FAULTY EXHAUST RESONATORS FROM MANUFACTURER RESULTING IN SERIOUS EXHAUST EMISSION LEAKS DIRECTLY UNDER CABIN OF VEHICLE IN DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER POSITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253752

Incident

Nov 1, 2008

Mileage

52,000 mi

2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CRACKED RESONATORS/CATALYTIC CONVERTERS UNDER VEHICLE ALLOWING EXHAUST GAS TO ENTER VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002/2003 PATHFINDER OWNERS AND NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. NO PAYMENT ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN OFFERED BY NISSAN TO HELP WITH THE COST OF THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253052

Incident

Dec 29, 2008

Mileage

65,000 mi

1.) THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS THAT LED TO THE FAILURE OF MY VEHICLE PART. 2.) MY 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 50K MILES ON IT HAS A CRACKED RESONATOR PIPE WHICH ARE THE FRONT PIPES THAT ATTACH IN TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE ARE OVER 200 PEOPLE ON THIS WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/NISSAN/TTG7L43U0AKTKACBF THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I DO. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED DUE TO SAFETY AND EMISSION ISSUES. 3.) I PATCHED THE CRACKED PIPE BUT THE PATCH HAS SINCE FAILED. I AM LOOKING AT $1200 TO PUT NEW EXHAUST PIPES ON A VEHICLE WITH 50K MILES. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER THE 8/80 LAW DUE TO IT NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTING THE RESONATOR PIPES AS PART OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10251459

Incident

Dec 10, 2008

Mileage

50,000 mi

2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT SIDE SEAMS AND WAS PATCHED ONCE PER NISSAN OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION. ORIGINAL PATCH HAS WORN OUT AND SIDE SEAMS ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL AGAIN. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO COVER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO 8 YEAR/80000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10249987

Incident

Nov 26, 2008

Mileage

48,054 mi

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. IT HAS A CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT HAS LESS THAN 45,000 MILES . NISSAN WILL NOT COMPLY TO THE 8/80 LAW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10246805

Incident

Oct 20, 2008

Mileage

45,000 mi

THE CAR LOST POWER AND THEN THERE WAS HIGH HEAT FROM UNDER THE CAR FOLLOWED BY A SMALL EXPLOSION WHEN TWO CATALYTIC CONVERTS BURST SIDE SEAMS AND BEGAN TO LEAK. BENNETT NISSAN IN WILTON CONNECTICUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THEY CLAIM THAT THESE ARE RESONATORS AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE EIGHT YEAR OR 80,000 WARRANTY. THEY ALSO CLAIM THAT IF THERE IS NO "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" THAT THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE EPA SYSTEM. THEY OFFER A "FIX" THAT SEALS THE DEFECT OF THIS EQUIPMENT AND CHARGE ABOUT $250. REPLACEMENT WITH NEW PARTS COSTS ABOUT $1500. I THINK: 1) THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE EPA SYSTEM; 2) THERE IS DANGER FROM FIRE OR EXCESSIVE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAR. THE DEALER AND NISSAN ARE OBVIOUSLY WORKING TO CONCERT TO AVOID THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AND PUSHING THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE CONSUMER AFTER THEY HAVE NO THEY BEYOND THE 8/80000 MILE COVERAGE. THIS IS WRONG. THIS ISSUE IS ON A 2003 PATHFINDER LE THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE IT WAS NEW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245229

Incident

Oct 8, 2008

Mileage

63,500 mi

EXHAUST TUBES ON 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER CRACKED BEFORE REACHED THE 24,000 WARRANTY EXPIRATION. NISSAN "PATCHED" TUBES RATHER THAN REPLACED THEM. THE PATCH FAILED THIS YEAR AND I AM FIGHTING WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY SHOULD HAVE USED NEW PARTS IN THE FIRST PLACE. I CAN NOT TELL IF THIS IS ENDANGERING THE ENVIRONMENT, HOWEVER, I KNOW THAT MANY PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING EARLY FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND NISSAN IS NOT OWNING UP TO THEIR DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10241919

Incident

May 13, 2005

Mileage

22,000 mi

2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH EXHAUST LEAK. CONSUMER STATES THAT TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS A CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MANUFACTURER STATED THE DEFECTED PART WAS RESONATORS NOT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *KB

NHTSA ID

10230651

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER EXHAUST SYSTEM DISINTEGRATED AT CONNECTION POINT (VEHICLE HAS 85,000 MI.). HAVE HAD THE DEALERSHIP ADVISE AND COST WILL BE $1200.00 TO FIX. HAVE SEARCHED ON-LINE AND FOUND PROBLEM TO BE WIDESPREAD WITH 2002-2003 PATHFINDERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10229914

Incident

Jun 2, 2008

Mileage

84,500 mi

SEPTEMBER 2007- WENT TO REPAIR SHOP FOR OIL CHANGE, WAS MADE AWARE OF CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOVEMBER 2007- REAR EXHAUST PIPE FELL OFF JANUARY 2008- WENT TO MUFFLER SHOP, WAS TOLD THAT 2 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND ENTIRE EXHAUST PIPE NEED REPLACING. MAY 2008- WENT TO NISSAN DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, BUT MY "DOWN PIPES" THAT HAVE SEVERE CRACKS IN THEM. QUOTED OVER $600 FOR REPAIR KIT, AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY CLAIM TO HAVE SEEN OFTEN ENOUGH TO CREATE A PATCH KIT FOR. QUOTED $1300 FOR NEW PARTS. SEVERE EXHAUST IN THE VEHICLE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, BOTH WITH WINDOWS OPENED AND CLOSED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, WHICH 2 OTHER REPAIR SHOP HAVE IDENTIFIED AS THE PROBLEM, ARE COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT THE DOWN PIPES, WHICH ONLY NISSAN CLAIMS TO BE THE PROBLEM, ARE NOT. THIS IS NOW A VERY EXPENSIVE SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE EXHAUST IS UNBEARABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10226738

Incident

Sep 30, 2007

Mileage

65,000 mi

MY AAA LIGHT DUTY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED MY 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH A CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HE TOLD ME IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND UNDER 8 YEARS, 80,000 MILES EMISSIONS LAW. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND ASKED, THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T BECAUSE IT WAS ACTUALLY THE TUBES AND CHARGED ME $700 NOT INCLUDING LABOR TO REPLACE. SEEMS LIKE THE TUBES SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE SAME ACT SINCE THE CAT CONVERTER CAN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY WITHOUT THE PROPER TUBING. I THINK THIS DEALERSHIP FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE WARRANTY AGREEMENT AND FROM THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I'VE FOUND, I BELIEVE NISSAN HAS SHOWN NO ACCOUNTABILITY TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10215926

Incident

Oct 27, 2007

I TOOK MY 2003 PATHFINDER IN FOR AN UNRELATED MATTER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED THE CRACKED EXHAUST PIPES AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ANY EXHAUST SYSTEM SHOULD LAST AT LEAST FOUR YEARS ON A NORMALLY USED VEHICLE. I HAVE 84,000 MILES ON MINE SO I GUESS IT STANDS OUTSIDE OF ANY MANDATED WARRANTIES, BUT I DO HAVE A NISSAN GOLD PLUS WARRANTY WHICH SHOULD COVER EVERYTHING UP TO 100K MILES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID NO AND WANTED $246 FOR THE PATCH. DO I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE? I LIVE IN VIRGINIA AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T PASS THE NEXT INSPECTION WITHOUT THE PATCH. I NOTICED IN AN ON LINE FORUM THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE 2002-03 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. DOESN'T THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WARRANT A HEALTH HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE RECONCILED BY THE COMPANY? COULDN'T THE CRACKS SUBJECT PASSENGERS TO LETHAL EXPOSURE TO CARBON MONOXIDE GASES? SINCE IT AFFECTS SO MANY CONSUMERS, DOESN'T THE PROBLEM POSE A PUBLIC HEALTH RISK? *TR

NHTSA ID

10209269

Incident

Nov 8, 2007