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1999 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 104 owner complaints about the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year21% below the Pathfinder median · #18 of 37 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10427 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage145kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 6, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder has problems

104 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
Suspension351
Steering207
Structure180
Air bags1110
Tires92
Power train80
Engine and engine cooling60
Fuel system, gasoline51
Vehicle speed control32
9 other systems198

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

2 recalls

1999 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?

145kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 25 suspension complaints. 16% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles4under 100k miles21100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1999 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

1999 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings

1999 Nissan Pathfinder4-DR.4x4 (1999.5) w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1999 Nissan Pathfinder frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
1999 Nissan Pathfinder side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 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.

1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUT TOWER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR STATING THE WORK WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT AND CONSIDERS IT TO BE BEYOND WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. *JS
Complaint 11231318 · Jul 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER BRACE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BYRELY NISSAN (4027 DIXIE HIGHWAY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40216) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIN WAS OLD AND NO LONGER IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
Complaint 11129969 · Sep 17, 2018 · 180,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING. IN ADDITION, THERE HAD BEEN RUST PROGRESSING OVER TIME ON THE UNDERBODY/FRAMING. THE DEALER (MOUNT HOLLY…
Complaint 11123231 · Aug 29, 2018

Own a 1999 Pathfinder?

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