2000 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
112 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
124,697 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 70 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 112 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 35 | 31.3% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 13.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 24 |
| Suspension | 24 |
| Structure:Body | 13 |
| Suspension:Front | 13 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
Steering: 24; Suspension: 24; Structure:Body: 13; Suspension:Front: 13; Structure:Frame And Members: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 6; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 32 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 19
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 42 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 9; 2003: 5; 2004: 10; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 10; 2009: 2; 2010: 10; 2011: 20; 2012: 15; 2013: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 10065873 · 2004-04-10 (April 10, 2004)
2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS IN PARK AND THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY ISN'T STUCK IT JUST WON'T TURN. HAVE TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND HAVE TRIED A DIFFERENT KEY. IT STILL WON'T BUDGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10234237 · 2008-07-14 (July 14, 2008)
I HAVE A NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 2000 THAT IN THE PAST 8 MO HAVE ROCKING OR WOBBLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE (OR LEFT TO RIGHT) WHEN DRIVEN AT FREEWAY SPEED (55-75). IF YOU DO NOT LET OFF THE GAS OR MAKE A SLIGHT CORRECTION WITH STEERING WHEEL, IT WILL GET REALLY BAD TO A POINT THE IT MIGHT FISHTAIL. IT'S BEEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING EVEN AT LOWER SPEED, IT'S BEEN HAPPENING. ASIDE FROM SPEED, IT CAN BE TRIGGERED BY SLIGHT UNEVEN ROAD OR BUMPS. I HAVE HAD MY ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCED, FRONT END STRUTS REPLACED WHICH HELPED A LITTLE. I STILL HAVE TO GE…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004324 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ,THERE WERE NO FRONT BRAKES AT ALL. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099194 · 2004-12-01 (December 1, 2004)
THE REAR END LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. FIRST THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING POPPING NOISE, FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE SHAKING. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS IT, CAUSING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALERSHIP. *JB *TC
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236211 · 2008-07-29 (July 29, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AFTER THE CONTACT TURNED A CORNER A FEW BLOCKS FROM HER HOUSE, SHE HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTINUED TO HER RESIDENCE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD; THEREFORE, THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 127,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249295 · 2008-11-19 (November 19, 2008)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE PATHFINDER AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE AND UPON INSPECTION BY REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, WERE TOLD TWICE BY TWO DIFFERENT INSPECTION SHOPS THAT THE COOLER THAT COOLS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS 1) DEFECTIVE AND 2) STOPPED UP AND PREVENTED THE TRANSMISSION FROM GETTING PROPER FLUID FLOW. THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS STATED THAT THEY HAVE ADVISED NISSAN OF THIS ISSUE NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE REPAIRED THIS ISSUE ON …
Owner-reported narrative. 123,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221690 · 2008-03-18 (March 18, 2008)
2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH MULTIPLE FRONT END PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND DID NOT REPACK THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THEN THE FUEL INJECTOR MADE THE VEHICLE SHAKE. *KB THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS LOOSE AND THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOOSE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10221690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231329 · 2008-06-17 (June 17, 2008)
I OWN A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER FOR WHICH A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR A DEFECTIVE FUEL FILLER TUBE. PRIOR TO THE TIME I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION, I HAD DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK AND THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AND PAID FOR BY ME. ON APRIL 9, 2008 I MAILED ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (FILE NO. 6110921) TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA IN FRANKLIN, TN. AT THE DIRECTION OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT. SUBSEQUENTLY, I HAVE MADE AT LEAST NINE (9) TELEPHONE CALLS AT VARIOUS TIMES SEEKING TO FIND THE STATUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,186 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8019061 · 2002-09-19 (September 19, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT "UNIFIED METER" WHICH CONTROLS DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS HAD FAILED. THIS PROBLEM SOMEHOW RESULTED IN SHUT OFF OF GAS FLOW TO ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. OCCURRED ON 9-3-02 AND 9-15-02.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8019061 at NHTSA ↗