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1988 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints170 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage148kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 2, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder has problems

17 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts70
Engine and engine cooling50
Tires30
Exterior lighting10
Steering10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Nissan Pathfinder recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 95V-103 · May 24, 1995 · 2,730,462 vehicles

Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Pathfinder year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Pathfinder median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95007 · closed Aug 2, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
In owners' words

What Pathfinder owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY DAUGHTER, SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WENT TO PUT ON SEAT BELT AND THE BUCKLE SIDE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ANCHORED DOWN TO FRAME CAME OFF IN HER HAND. THANKFULLY IT WAS BEFORE WE STARTED DRIVING. 1ST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I BOLTED IT BACK DOWN TO FLOOR FRAME. I CALLED NISSAN AND REPORTED…
Complaint 10244223 · Oct 2, 2008 · 148,000 miles
TAKATA BUCKLES NHTSA RECALL 95V103002; PUENTE HILLS NISSAN CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA., WILL NOT ACCEPT APPOINTMENTS UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL 1996. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Complaint 977275 · Jan 3, 1996
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO REMAIN LOCKED WHEN IN USE. DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
Complaint 850805 · Oct 15, 1999

Own a 1988 Pathfinder?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.