no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY.
1998 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 149 owner complaints about the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 18, 2018. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder has problems
149 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
47Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
20Power train2 crash/fire/injury
16Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
14Structure2 crash/fire/injury
13Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
11Steering3 crash/fire/injury
10Air bags
9Fuel system, gasoline
9Tires
269 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 47 | 1 |
| Power train | 20 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 4 |
| Structure | 14 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 13 | 3 |
| Steering | 11 | 3 |
| Air bags | 10 | 8 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 | 1 |
| Tires | 9 | 5 |
| 9 other systems | 26 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1998 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
Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE.
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?
135kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 26 suspension complaints. 23% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 48% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
0under 30k miles6under 100k miles20100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1998 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
1917153839304991170159217149104112230156110671,05083756132837404523891577321105188787648137107876415
'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 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, and the recalls they led to.
- Frame/Body Structure CorrosionLed to recall 11V-244
In owners' words
What Pathfinder owners report
Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
OUR 1998 PATHFINDER HAS WHAT IS DESCRIBED BY MANY PEOPLE AS A "DEATH WOBBLE." IT BEGAN AFTER WE BOUGHT IT IN 2003 AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. IT HAPPENED AS RECENTLY AS 2017 AND I AM BEGINNING TO BE AFRAID TO RIDE IN IT. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE FROM…
I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO ALMOST BE COMPLETLY GONE FROM RUSTING OUT. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT.…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE UNI-BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
Own a 1998 Pathfinder?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.