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1996 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 159 owner complaints about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Pathfinder median · #13 of 37 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15937 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage121kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 11, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder has problems

159 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
Suspension643
Steering245
Service brakes, hydraulic144
Engine and engine cooling140
Tires133
Power train121
Structure111
Electrical system110
Air bags118
13 other systems283

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

3 recalls

1996 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

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Recall 96V-031 · Feb 22, 1996 · 1,775 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD INHIBIT A DRIVER FROM APPLYING THE BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Recall 96V-034 · Feb 22, 1996 · 1,775 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE WHEEL, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE…

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.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

121kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 37 suspension complaints. 16% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 33% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles6under 100k miles31100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1996 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 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Frame/Body Structure CorrosionPE11004 · closed Jun 30, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-244
In owners' words

What Pathfinder owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT THE DMV, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR STRUT WAS RUSTING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT…
Complaint 11176224 · Feb 11, 2019 · 293,000 miles
ON A LONG ROAD TRIP FROM INDIANA TO NORTH CAROLINA, THE REAR-END OF MY VEHICLE BEGAN SWAYING OR ROCKING FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AS I WAS GOING 60 MPH OR MORE AND WHENEVER I CHANGED LANES. IT FELT VERY UNSTABLE, AS THOUGH IT MAY ROLLOVER. UPON MY RETURN HOME, I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS INFORMED IT…
Complaint 10766403 · Sep 21, 2015 · 121,000 miles
ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME COMPLAINT, YET NOTHING IS DONE FOR THE CONSUMER OF WHAT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE WHEN NEW EVEN THOUGH IT IS DANGEROUS AND MANY CONSUMERS SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM (OR GIVE UP AND PARK THE VEHICLE), OFTEN SPENDING THE MONEY ON THE WRONG…
Complaint 10701539 · Mar 25, 2015 · 60,000 miles

Own a 1996 Pathfinder?

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