FaultScore

1997 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems

17 of the 293 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder are about the engine — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 107,297 miles.

A

17

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 7 41.2%
Exhaust System 4 23.5%
Emission Control 2 11.8%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 2 11.8%
Gasoline 1 5.9%
Cooling System 1 5.9%

Engine & Cooling across every Nissan Pathfinder year

1990 17 0.9%
1993 27 1.5%
1994 36 2.0%
1995 54 2.9%
1996 16 0.9%
1997 17 0.9%
2001 18 1.0%
2002 43 2.3%
2003 32 1.7%
2005 438 23.8%
2006 333 18.1%
2007 243 13.2%
2008 84 4.6%
2009 11 0.6%
2011 10 0.5%
2013 110 6.0%
2014 67 3.6%
2015 75 4.1%
2016 28 1.5%
2017 85 4.6%
2018 14 0.8%
2019 16 0.9%
2020 16 0.9%
2022 18 1.0%
2023 15 0.8%
2024 18 1.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 128,000 miles Trenton, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETECTED AN EMISSION TROUBLE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA complaint #10425404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles SAN Marcos, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND SOMETIMES SLOWER THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN 4 -5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED NORMALLY. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS, THE RPMS INCREASE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS, BUT THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN FOR THE 1996-1999 MODELS REGARDING IDLE SPEED FAILURES. THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS PERTAINED TO HER VEHICLE AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 124,196. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND IT WOULD ACT AS IF THE GAS WAS NOT BEING APPLIED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE CONSUEMR HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. UPDATED 03/25/09.

NHTSA complaint #10260713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,595 miles Newbury, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH NISSAN (AS HAS MY REGULAR MECHANIC FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS) REGARDING CHRONIC & PERVASIVE EMISSIONS PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV. MY VEHICLE IS REGISTERED WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS CASE #5283891. AFTER THE LATEST REJECT STICKER DUE TO EMISSIONS SAFETY, A DIFFERENT MECHANIC BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION FE98-001A/REFERENCE NTB98-062A ADDRESSING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THREE MECHANICS (INCLUDING A NISSAN DEALER) VERIFIED THAT THIS WAS THE LATEST PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I WAS SEVERAL WEEKS PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, I WAS WAY UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT & THE MECHANIC FELT I SHOULD PUSH THE ISSUE WITH NISSAN, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE REPEATED PROBLEMS. NISSAN WOULD NOT HONOR IT SO I PAID FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF. WHEN I DID, THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS MOST LIKELY A RECALL & ADVISED ME TO GO BACK TO NISSAN & PUSH. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM NISSAN ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTIES OR RECALLS. I FOUND THIS ADDRESS ON THE WEB & THOUGHT I SHOULD SHARE THIS WITH YOU. I AM ADDITIONALLY LOOKING FOR OTHER CONSUMER AGENCIES TO HELP PURSUE THIS WITH NISSAN.

NHTSA complaint #10156678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I HAVE NOTICED A DIFFERENT SOOUND COMMING FROM THE EXHAUST. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACK. THIS IS WHY I WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS A SAFETY OR MANUFACTURE DEFECT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THE MANIFOLD WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER OR WHAT SHOULD I DO. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10086230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Claysville, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BUT THE CRACK RECURRED. *AK THE FIRST MANIFOLD CRACKED AFTER 75000 MILES. THE SECOND MANIFOLD CRACKED AFTER 30000 MILES. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IF THE MANIFOLDS CONTINUE TO CRACK THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES COULD ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10073685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD CRACKED. NISSAN JUST MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MY VIN NUMBER ON THAT PART TILL 2006. BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED!! MR

NHTSA complaint #767919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin Square, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #786053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Victoria, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

SUSPENSION CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY VIOLENTLY WHEN GOING 50MPH.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THE TIRES WORE OUT AT 20,000 MILES, THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED AT 42,000 MILES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE VEHICLE SWAYING, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER SHOP AND THE TRAILING ARMS WERE REPLACED WHICH THEN CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, ALSO THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING, THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED DUE TO STRESS, THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING, THE CENTER CAP THAT GOES ON THE STOCK WHEELS ON THE FRONT SEAT WAS INSTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #8007455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami Beach, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

MY CAR HAD A NOISE ON THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. HE REPLACED THE MANIFOLD. HE SAID THAT THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD CHANGED THE DESIGN DUE TO DEFECT. THE OLD PART NUMBER WAS 14004-0W000 U40 MANIFOLD - E. THE REPLACEMENT PART USED WAS 14004-2W600 WITH NO COVER AVAILABLE. THE COVER WAS NOT REPLACED . THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. NOW I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT MANIFOLDS. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN BECOME VERY HOT AND START A FIRE. NOW I AM AFRAID OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MANIFOLD CRACKS AND START A FIRE OR FUMES GET INTO THE CAR. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD CHECK ON THIS AND LET ME KNOW THE OUTCOME.

NHTSA complaint #755378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingston, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #753846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicopee, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

THE STRUTS WENT AT 52,000 MILES $800 TO REPLACE, EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED(WARRANTY). TODAY THE NEWS THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS JUST"WORN OUT " $235, THE REAR SUSPENSION LINCS WERE "WORN OUT" $350, THE INTAKE PINIUM(SP?) WAS LEAKING $660. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT NISSAN AND THEIR "WORN OUT" VEHICLES. IT'S NOT EVEN PAID FOR YET!

NHTSA complaint #743265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

DRIVER'S SEATBELT REPLACED 4 TIMES DUE TO LOCKING UP TOO TIGHTLY, WON'T RELEASE ONCE TIGHTENED. CONSUMER HAS NO MOVEMENT, DEALER KEPT REPLACING BELTS WITH SAME TYPE. ALSO, PROBLEM WITH FILLER TUBE, IT OVERFLOWS WHEN GETTING GAS, IT FILLS RESERVOIR. MECHANIC SAID IT WOULD CAUSE PROBLEM. CANISTER WAS REPLACED. *AK ACCELERATOR STUCK.

NHTSA complaint #874989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chester, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED. REPAIRED BY NISSAN AT NO CHARGE.

NHTSA complaint #871374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Torrance, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE GAUGE SENSOR FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #606143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rosemead, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

THE NISSAN DEALER CREATS ALL KIND OF TACTICS TO DELAY TO FIX ALL THE KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NISSAN PATHFINDER MODEL. I HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCES AND WITNESSES TO PROVE THAT THEY UNDERMINE CUSTOMER 'S TRUST. THEY DOCTORED THE PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF RECOGNIZING THEM AND FIX THEM.

NHTSA complaint #714452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Highlands Ranch, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

EMISSIONS TANK AND SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #544071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simi Valley, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIRS AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THEY SAID THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN BOTH THE 1996 AND 1997 MODEL YEARS. NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT PLANNING AN "FIX" FOR THIS PROBLEM NOW OR IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THEY SAID WE WOULD JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE NOISE AND INCONVENIENCE. NOISE CLUNK/SURGE WHEN STOPPING

NHTSA complaint #536165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Nissan Pathfinder problems

← Full 1997 Nissan Pathfinder report