Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1989 Nissan Pathfinder
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seat Belts
421.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
421.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
315.8%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
210.5%
Suspension
210.5%
Steering
210.5%
Brakes
15.3%
Electrical System
15.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1996peak 4Mar 2005
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95007Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995084106,721 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Recall 199011340,564 units in Canada
Suspension
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 120 - TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT LABELLING.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
NEW Town, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE ,WENT IMMEDIATELY INTO HIGH SPEED BACKWARDS, HIT TREE DRIVER. PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL ,JUMPED GEAR INTO DRIVE, BRAKES DID NOT HOLD ,HAD TO HIT ANOTHER TREE IN ORDER TO STOP.THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL, RESUTLING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #824676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VACrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
AFTER CAMPAIGN 95V103002 WAS DONE IN MARCH 1996, EXPERIENCED SHOULDER/LAP BUCKLE FAILURE, WHEN BUCKLE DETACHED, ALLOWING DRIVER TO IMPACT WITH INTERIOR.
NHTSA complaint #985145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochel, NYCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION/LOSS OF CONTROL, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #502208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Reno, NV
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE 1989 NISSAN PATHFINDER HE HAS CONSIDERED PURCHASING HAS ANY RECALLS. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10115556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT CABLE ATTACHMENT JUST BROKE OFF WITH NO LOAD.
NHTSA complaint #754483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Rutherford, NJ
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENT MAYBE BROKEN OR LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #785505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Providence, RI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE DEFECTIVE ON THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THESE THINGS WHEN I GET THE CAR INSPECTED. NISSAN FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THESE THINGS ARE FAULTY PREVIOUS TO 1995. WHAT I FIND INTERESTING IS THAT WHEN THEY DO REPLACE THEM (AT YOUR EXPENSE) THEY USE A MUCH HEAVIER DUTY BOLT! WHY? BECAUSE THEY SCREWED UP THE FIRST TIME. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT'S EXHAUST RELATED AND RI HAS BECOME MUCH TOUGHER ON THESE ISSUES, WHICH COULD FORCE ME TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THESE THINGS!
NHTSA complaint #737126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upperco, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE UP AND STILL IN PARK, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT HALF WAY TO THE FLOORLBOARD. VEHICLE KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #852657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upperco, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE UP AND STILL IN PARK, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE PEDAL WENT HALF WAY TO THE FLOORLBOARD. VEHICLE KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #852657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Islip, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #708687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Islip, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #708687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Islip, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #708687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Islip, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #708687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Town, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE ,WENT IMMEDIATELY INTO HIGH SPEED BACKWARDS, HIT TREE DRIVER. PUT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL ,JUMPED GEAR INTO DRIVE, BRAKES DID NOT HOLD ,HAD TO HIT ANOTHER TREE IN ORDER TO STOP.THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL, RESUTLING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #824676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Onalaska, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST HEADER LEAKED AND CRACKED. THIS IS A NON-MOVING PART AND SHOULD NEVER WEAR OUT.
NHTSA complaint #538277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SEAT BELTS
REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT (REPLACED UNDER RECALL) FAILS. IT WILL OPEN WITH MODERATE FORWARD PRESSURE.
NHTSA complaint #527514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VACrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
AFTER CAMPAIGN 95V103002 WAS DONE IN MARCH 1996, EXPERIENCED SHOULDER/LAP BUCKLE FAILURE, WHEN BUCKLE DETACHED, ALLOWING DRIVER TO IMPACT WITH INTERIOR.
NHTSA complaint #985145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
STEERING:LINKAGES
STEERING TIE ROD BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IN ONE OCCURRENCE OWNER LOST CONTROL. PLEASE DESSCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #984289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochel, NYCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION/LOSS OF CONTROL, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #502208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerset, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
BOLTS HOLDING EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAVE SHEARED AND FELL OFF, CAUSING LEAKING HOT EXHAUST FUMES.
NHTSA complaint #981346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winthrop, MA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #487369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, WV
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH COME LOOSE . TT
NHTSA complaint #978861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.