1996 Model Year

Nissan Pathfinder

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
159
Recalls
2
Crashes
19
Severe
38

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

96V031000 Feb 1996

Other

No consequence data available

96V034000 Feb 1996

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

STEERING,SUSPENSION
Nov 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT THE DMV, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR STRUT...

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 2017

CAR HAS MANY AFTER MARKET PARTS WHICH ARE OLD AND RUSTED WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN EVEN AFTER REPLACING MANY PARTS ALSO WHEN SEARC...

Air Bags
Oct 2017

I TRIED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE NISSAN DEALER AND AFTER FINDING MY VEHICLE RETURN A POSITIVE AIRBAG RECALL ON AIRBAGRECALL.COM. THE LOCAL DEAL SAID...

Suspension
Sep 2015

ON A LONG ROAD TRIP FROM INDIANA TO NORTH CAROLINA, THE REAR-END OF MY VEHICLE BEGAN SWAYING OR ROCKING FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AS I WAS GOING 60 MPH OR MOR...

STEERING,STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Jul 2015

I BOUGHT THIS CAR A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND COULDN'T DRIVE IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT A LITTLE BEFORE I GOT MY LICENSE. SO EVENTUALLY WHEN I GOT I...

STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES
Jun 2015

WHENEVER I REACH AN EXCESS SPEED OF 40+ AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THE CAR ROCKS BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLE. I AM A MOTHER OF FOUR AND THE IS A...

Suspension
Mar 2015

ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME COMPLAINT, YET NOTHING IS DONE FOR THE CONSUMER OF WHAT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE WHEN NEW EVEN THOUGH IT IS D...

STEERING,SUSPENSION
Mar 2015

AS VEHICLE APPROACHED 50MPH IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE FORCING ME TO LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE SHAKING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT T...

Suspension
Apr 2014

THE NISSAN PATHFINDER I DRIVE SWAYS VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT VARYING SPEEDS. THIS SEEMS TO STEM FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SEEMS AS IF THE...

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Mar 2014

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2009, AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY START TO WOBBLE AT 60 MPH SO WE TOOK IT IN FOR INSP...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1996 Nissan Pathfinder has 159 complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Suspension. 19 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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