Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Nissan Pathfinder

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 293 owner complaints on file.

Nissan Pathfinder, 1996–2004 generation
Pictured: the 1996–2004 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V244000

Suspension: front

Component
Suspension: front
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
195,991
Reported to NHTSA
2011-04-20
Owners notified
2011-08-25

Defect description

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Safety risk

THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V435000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
372,250
Reported to NHTSA
2007-09-18
Owners notified
2007-11-26

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

Safety risk

THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension42128,000 mi
Suspension: front28130,000 mi
Suspension: rear2897,000 mi
Steering20130,000 mi
Tires14180,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1090,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut975,000 mi
Air bags: frontal8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip8—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe775,000 mi
Unknown or other794,249 mi
Structure: body6108,000 mi
Vehicle speed control642,840 mi
Air bags562,615 mi
Power train: automatic transmission5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4—
Power train4115,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit4—
Service brakes, hydraulic490,000 mi
Structure: frame and members4157,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Structure3—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields370,003 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber352,000 mi
Wheels3136,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2175,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2128,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2124,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2110,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system291,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Fuel/propulsion system260,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: clutch assembly292,500 mi
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Suspension: multiple axle2—
Tires: tread/belt2—
Child seat1—
Electrical system1190,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors190,000 mi
Fuel system, other1143,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)161,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting185,000 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1167,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Nissan Pathfinder model years

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All Nissan Pathfinder recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.