1998 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
124 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
112,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 71 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 124 complaints (16.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 15.3% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 8.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.8% |
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 | 20 |
| Suspension:Rear | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 9 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Suspension:Front | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
Suspension: 20; Suspension:Rear: 15; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 9; Steering: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Structure:Body: 6; Suspension:Front: 6; Tires: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 23
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 53 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 11; 2001: 9; 2002: 9; 2003: 12; 2004: 5; 2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 14; 2009: 7; 2010: 8; 2011: 16; 2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 5; 2017: 5; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 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 10036981 · 2003-09-01 (September 1, 2003)
ON MARCH 11, 2003, MY NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT OF UNEXPLAINED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR A RED LIGHT TO CHANGE. SUDDENLY, THE PATHFINDER LURCHED FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED. ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING OUT OF THE MOTOR. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE THE ONE PRODUCED BY AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MOTOR REVOLUTIONS. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WHEN I REALIZED THAT THAT I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEP…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,149 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036987 · 2003-09-01 (September 1, 2003)
MY PATHFINDER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN A SPAN OF 5 MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MARCH 11,2003 (PLEASE SEE ODI NUMBER 10036981).IT IS MY OPINION THAT A VEHICLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED BOTH INCIDENTS.IT IS A FACT THAT REPAIRS ORDERED BY THE DEALER (BG FUEL INDUCTION SERVICE) ON MARCH 12,2003 DID NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. SECOND INCIDENT: ON AUG. 21,2003, AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00 AM, I DROVE THE PATHFINDER TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF MY SCHOOL PARKING GARAGE.THE PARKING SPACES ARE AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE BUILDING OUTSIDE WALL; TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,107 miles reported. Look up ODI 10036987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10374112 · 2011-01-04 (January 4, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN APPLIED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF.THE CONTACT HAD TO JUMP FROM THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE BYPASS AND DOWN ANOTHER STREET INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT DID NOT CRASH INTO ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 207,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10374112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006460 · 2001-12-22 (December 22, 2001)
TRANSMISSION DRIVE CAUSES A BIG CLUNKING NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE POSITION, IT HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING OR STARTING. NISSAN DEALER INDICATED THAT REPAIR IS ONLY DONE TO VEHICLES UNDER 60K MILES EVEN THOUGH THEY RECOGNIZED IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. ****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****755943. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019003 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WITH NO WARNING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN BUCKING AND STALLING UNTIL IT WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY, WE RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPT WHO INFORMED US THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS DAMAGED. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL DEFECT ON THE PART AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS VERY UNCOMMON. THE TRANSFER CASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON THE PATHFINDER - WHICH IS SOMETHING WE HAVE PROBABLY USED LESS THAN 10 TIMES IN THE 4 1…
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721308 · 2000-04-11 (April 11, 2000)
BATTERY WENT DEAD (7 VOLTS). SUN ROOF STUCK IN OPEN POSITION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731364 · 2000-09-13 (September 13, 2000)
MY VEHICLE A NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER BEING DRIVEN APPROX 1 HOUR . APPROX 1 HOUR LATER AFTER RETUNING HOME THE PARKED VEHICLE STARTED TO BURN UP. THE FIRE DEPATMENT REPORTED THAT THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. IF THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MY GARAGE MY HOME WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED OR WORST. I FIND IT VERY UPSETTING THAT THE CAR WAS NOT IN OPERATION AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST TO OTHER PATHFINDERS BUT I CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO WARN ANYONE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218224 · 2008-02-17 (February 17, 2008)
WHILE ON MY WAY TO VIRGINIA FROM FLORIDA, MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER BEGAN TO JERK, SPUTTER, AND CUT OFF ON INTERSTATE 95. SO I TOOK IT TO ALL TUNE & LUBE ON FRIDAY MORNING FOR A TUNE-UP, AFTER THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, FUEL FILTER, AIR FILTER, OIL CHANGE, NEW BELTS, RESET TIMING, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANING. IT STILL DID THE SAME THING, SO DAVE AT ALL-TUNE KEPT MY TRUCK FOUR DAYS RUNNING ALL KINDS OF TEST AND STILL COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM, HE CALLED A FRIEND AT NISSAN AND HE KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. IT WAS A CASTING FLAW ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,989 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443291 · 2012-01-10 (January 10, 2012)
I AM HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER DUE TO CORROSION. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY MUFFLER FELL OFF. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WHEN THEY RAISED THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD CORROSION AND HOLES FROM IT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY LAST YEARS STRUT HOUSING CORROSION WHICH BROKE OFF THE STRUT FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOST BRAKES AND HAD TO STEP ON PEDAL ALL THE WAY, AND THEN THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE RECALL NOTICE CAME AFTER THE INCIDENT. THIS WAS FOLLOW…
Owner-reported narrative. 185,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443291 at NHTSA ↗