Owners have filed 49 complaints
about the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between 1995 and 2013.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Transmission
1240.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
516.7%
Tread/Belt
310.0%
Buckle Assembly
310.0%
Recliner
26.7%
Manual Transmission
26.7%
Tank Assembly
26.7%
Underbody Shields
13.3%
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.
Jan 1995peak 7Aug 2013
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 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 1991 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.
United States — NHTSA
95V103002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
NHTSA complaint #961115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 152,031 milesWilliamston, SC
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
REAR FRAME ON THESE SUV RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WAS PULL A SMALL TRAILER AND THE FRAME AT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL COME APART AND WENT TO MANY JUNKYARDS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDER FROM 89-95 THEY RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT GIVING NO WARNING THAT IT IS FAILING, SOME THAT I CHECK WITH A HAMMER AT THE JUNKYARD THE HAMMER WENT THREW THE FRAMES, NISSAN HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK IF THE FRAME IS WEAK ,WITH NO WARNING !!!!
NHTSA complaint #10537107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
TIRES
1991 NISSAN PATHFINDER DEVELOPING PROBLEMS WITH THE GOODYEAR FORTERA TIRE EQUIPMENT. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ONE OF THE VEHICEL' S FRONT TIRES WAS CUPPED SEVERELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WANDER WHEN DRIVEN (GOODYEAR FORTERA H1).
NHTSA complaint #10128066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,000 milesLouisville, KY
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK, DOT BB604RB307.
NHTSA complaint #10079356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Mccoy, FL
STEERING
STEERING MECHNISM HAS FAILED, CAUSING UNVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10030150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Mccoy, FL
SUSPENSION
STEERING MECHNISM HAS FAILED, CAUSING UNVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10030150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ABNORMAL TREAD SEPARATION.
NHTSA complaint #10025872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Media, PA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR 4 P235/75R15 FIRESTONE ATX STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES HE PURCHASED WHICH WERE PART OF SAFETY RECALL 00T005.
NHTSA complaint #564224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Media, PA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR 4 P235/75R15 FIRESTONE ATX STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES HE PURCHASED WHICH WERE PART OF SAFETY RECALL 00T005.
NHTSA complaint #564224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheaton, MDCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE IN A CAR CRASH REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS RECLINED UPON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #897194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
RECALL 95V103002 REPAIRS WERE PREVIOUSLY DONE. HOWEVER, SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE FAILING TO REMAIN LOCKED, PREVENTING PASSENGERS FROM BEING PROPERLY RESTRAINED. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #896732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UNKNOWN TO ME AS EXPLAINED TO ME BY TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DISINTEGRATING OVER TIME PUTTING DEBRIS INTO TRANSMISSION COOLER LOCATED INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THIS CLOGGED UP THE RADIATOR THUS PREVENTING COOLING OF TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION GEARS THUS WORE OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE MECHANIC WHOSE SPECIALTY IS TRANSMISSIONS HAS RECEIVED BULLETINS FROM HIS TRADE ASSOCIATION AND NISSAN ON THIS MATTER BUT AT THE TIME COULD ONLY SHOW ME BULLETIN FROM THE "INFINITY Q45 "MODEL WHO HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND PROBLEMS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT NISSAN ADVICE WAS TO ADD AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH WOULD ALLOW A LITTLE LONGER LIFE, BUT EVENTUALLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL GO. I HAD ONLY 62K MILES AND CONSIDER THIS NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS THUS WILL NOT HELP OUT ON EXPENSES. I FEEL THEY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING SINCE THEY KNOWINGLY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS A POORLY MANUFACTURED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #724127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
UNKNOWN TO ME AS EXPLAINED TO ME BY TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DISINTEGRATING OVER TIME PUTTING DEBRIS INTO TRANSMISSION COOLER LOCATED INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THIS CLOGGED UP THE RADIATOR THUS PREVENTING COOLING OF TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION GEARS THUS WORE OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE MECHANIC WHOSE SPECIALTY IS TRANSMISSIONS HAS RECEIVED BULLETINS FROM HIS TRADE ASSOCIATION AND NISSAN ON THIS MATTER BUT AT THE TIME COULD ONLY SHOW ME BULLETIN FROM THE "INFINITY Q45 "MODEL WHO HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND PROBLEMS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT NISSAN ADVICE WAS TO ADD AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH WOULD ALLOW A LITTLE LONGER LIFE, BUT EVENTUALLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL GO. I HAD ONLY 62K MILES AND CONSIDER THIS NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS THUS WILL NOT HELP OUT ON EXPENSES. I FEEL THEY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING SINCE THEY KNOWINGLY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS A POORLY MANUFACTURED TORQUE CONVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #724127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
LH AND RH EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #712813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Everett, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #711575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #524481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL REPLACED DUE TO DISTORTION (ONE SIDE WAS LIKE A PLIABLE RUBBER HOSE).
NHTSA complaint #524481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL STUCK WHEN ACCELERATING ON AN INCLINE.
NHTSA complaint #524481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MUFFLER ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO LEAK, REPLACEMENT FAILED ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #524481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL/TEMP GAUGE FAILED TWO TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #524481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAN MOTOR VERY LOUD.
NHTSA complaint #524481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FUEL/TEMP GAUGE FAILED TWO TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #524481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Idaho City, ID
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP UNTIL VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. TRANSMISSION IS BEING REBUILT BY AAMCO. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #703594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilmington, DE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE FUEL TANK WAS NEITHER DAMAGED OR RUSTY, YET AT ONLY 65K MILES IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THE TANK FAILED THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED PRESSURE TEST IN DE WHEN UNDERGOING ITS 2 YEARLY INSPECTION. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TANK HAD WARPED JUST ENOUGH WHERE THE PUMP SEALS TO THE TANK THAT IT WAS BUBBLING AND AS THE TANKS WERE MADE OUT OF TOO THIN A METAL AT THAT POINT, AND AS THIS WAS THE 4TH ONE TO GO THIS YEAR AND THEY HAD ALREADY TRIED 2 SEALS, AND LIQUID SEALANT, ALL TO NO EFFECT, THAT I THEREFORE NEEDED A NEW TANK. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE AN ITEM THAT SHOULD LAST A VEHICLES LIFETIME. ALSO, AS ONLY A FEW STATES HAVE THE PRESSURE TEST, JUST HOW MANY OF THESE OLDER PATHFINDERS ARE IN USE THAT HAVE DEFECTIVE SEALS, POLLUTING THE ATMOSPHERE AND POSING A FIRE HAZARD, THAT ARE CURRENTLY GOING UNNOTICED? IS THIS SOMETHING THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL AND RESOLVE AS A MATTER OF SAFETY. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED AS TO THE OUTCOME. THANKYOU,
NHTSA complaint #701799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mokena, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR DRUM AUTOMATIC BRAKE ADJUSTERS ARE INOPERATIVE, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKE CAPABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #830591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Payson, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #533627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.