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1997 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 217 owner complaints about the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.4× the Pathfinder median · #12 of 37 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21733 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage113kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 22, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder has problems

217 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
Suspension1054
Steering260
Power train190
Structure170
Engine and engine cooling170
Tires164
Vehicle speed control163
Service brakes, hydraulic143
Air bags139
11 other systems302

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

2 recalls

1997 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.

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?

113kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 59 suspension complaints. 41% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 41% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles24under 100k miles35100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Suspension

11 owners mentioned a cost

$1,000median

Middle half: $635 – $1,450

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1997 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
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings

1997 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Nissan Pathfinder frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 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.

The vehicle swings left to right when cruising at about any speed. When the vehicle is pulling it does not swing or sway, however once the vehicle has got up to a desired speed and you try to maintain a steady speed it starts a “death wobble” which nearly cannot hold it on correct side of the road.…
Complaint 11441345 · Nov 22, 2021
VEHICLE HAS A SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR, EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON DRY PAVEMENT ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY: AT AROUND 55-60 MPH, THE BACK END OF VEHICLE SWAYS VIOLENTLY, WITH NO WARNING OR APPARENT CAUSE. DRIVER FEELS THAT IF SPEED IS NOT IMMEDIATELY…
Complaint 11172183 · Jan 25, 2019 · 237,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND…
Complaint 10948749 · Jan 31, 2017 · 229,000 miles

Own a 1997 Pathfinder?

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