1996 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
110 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
121,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 53 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 110 complaints (23.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 17 | 15.5% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 26 |
| Suspension:Rear | 22 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
Suspension: 26; Suspension:Rear: 22; Steering: 11; Tires:Tread/Belt: 6; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Power Train: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 13
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 57 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 14; 2001: 10; 2002: 8; 2003: 8; 2004: 6; 2005: 2; 2006: 7; 2007: 6; 2008: 6; 2009: 7; 2010: 6; 2011: 10; 2012: 2; 2013: 5; 2014: 2; 2015: 5; 2017: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10033240 · 2003-08-21 (August 21, 2003)
THIS CAR IS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH A SLEW OF PROBLEMS RANGING FROM: TICKING GAS, AND BRAKE PEDAL, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS/ VIBRATING, HEAT SHIELD, UNEVEN WEAR OF TIRE,LEAKING SUNROOF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110751 · 2005-02-18 (February 18, 2005)
TRIED CALLING NISSAN RE: RECALL FOR BRAKES AND STEERING, AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10110751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001415 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATION PEDAL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004243 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING SHE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD ABOUT IT. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004243 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802863 · 1996-09-24 (September 24, 1996)
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM THE STARTING POSITION, THE VEHICLE STALLS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 883335 · 2001-03-19 (March 19, 2001)
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 883335 at NHTSA ↗