1990 Nissan PATHFINDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
192,413 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 23 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 26.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 2; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 9; 1996: 4; 2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004963 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
MULTIPLE STUDS BROKEN ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD MULTIPLE TIMES. RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE TWICE. LEFT SIDE ONCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 157,921 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060326 · 2004-03-04 (March 4, 2004)
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS HAVE BROKEN ON BOTH MANIFOLDS AT AN ESTIMATED REPAIR BILL OF $800. WE HAVE NO CHOICE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS WE CANNOT RECEIVE OUR EMMISSION TEST APPROVAL TO GET OUR VEHICLE REGISTERED (1990 PATHFINDER) THERE IS NO WARNING FOR THIS DEFECT AND IT WAS NOT DETECTED LAST MAY BECAUSE IT DID PASS THE INSPECTION AT THAT TIME. THE BOLTS ON THE VALVE COVERS WORK THEMSELVES LOOSE AND I AM ABLE TO MOVE THEM WITH MY BARE FINGERS. ALSO, WE CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE HIGH-BEAM OF THE LEFT FRONT HEADLIGHT WON'T WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. 226,904 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064994 · 2004-03-26 (March 26, 2004)
INQUIRY WHETHER NISSAN IS OBLIGATED TO REPAIR OR COVER THE COST OF REPAIR FOR BROKE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS WHICH COULD CAUSE CARBON MONOXIDE PROBLEMS. *PH *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064994 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 472602 · 1995-08-11 (August 11, 1995)
THREE FIRESTONE TIRES CRACKED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 472602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481390 · 1995-03-17 (March 17, 1995)
TRANMISSION LURCHED/REVED THEN STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICANT AND SIZE OF ORFACE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486269 · 1995-05-04 (May 4, 1995)
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE FOR 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHEN TRAVELING ON BEACHES NEAR OCEAN TIDE POOLS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486270 · 1995-05-04 (May 4, 1995)
METAL PARTICALS CIRCULATING FROM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE COOLING LINES, CAUSING RADIATOR CORE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486270 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489820 · 1995-03-17 (March 17, 1995)
TRANSMISSION LUBRICATION PASSAGE TOO SMALL, RESULTING IN LACK OF LUBRICANT/SLIPPING OF TRANSMISSION. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489820 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V072000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 1990-04-17 (April 17, 1990)
INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V103002 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗