Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Nissan Pathfinder
Nissan Pathfinder Models:
Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Erratic Fuel Gauge and/or Check Engine Light
The fuel level sensor can fail causing erratic or inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The Check Engine Light may also illuminate. Nissan has recalled 2006 - 2008 vehicles only for this fuel gauge issue. For more information on the recall, please click here»
Abnormal Noise From Front of Engine
A whining or buzzing type noise may develop from the timing chain area caused by excess slack in the secondary timing chains. Nissan has issued a service bulletin (NTB09-128) regarding this issue. Replacement of both secondary timing chains and their tensioner shoes will be necessary to repair this concern. As part of this repair, the engine oil and filter should also be replaced.
Check Engine Light Due to Failed Intake Valve Timing Sensor
The Check Engine Light may illuminate because the sensor that monitors the engine's intake valve timing stops working (Intake Valve Timing Control Position Sensor). Replacement of the failed sensor will commonly correct this problem.
Ticking Noise When Cold Due to Broken Exhaust Manifold Studs
The exhaust manifold often warps and cracks, breaking off the studs between the cylinder head and the exhaust manifold. The noise may be most noticeable when the engine is cold.
Engine won't crank due to starter relay failure
The engine may not crank when the key is turned to "start" if the starter relay fails. This can be confused with a defective starter motor.
Nissan Pathfinder Recalls (Recent)
Nissan Pathfinder Recall 10V312000
Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Learn more »Nissan Recalls 2008–2010 Vehicles with Garmin Nuvi 750 Nav Systems Due to Overheating
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Nissan is recalling 2008–2010 models equipped with Garmin Nuvi 750 navigation systems because the battery may overheat, which could lead to a fire. Nissan will notify owners and Garmin technicians will replace the unit's battery and insert a spacer to prevent the problem from reoccurring. This will be performed free of charge.
Learn more »Potential Engine Oil Leak
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Some of the bolts that attach the engine oil cooler and filter to the engine may have been manufactured below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point, which can cause an engine oil leak. Loss of too much engine oil can result in loss of oil pressure and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the connector bolts to correct this concern.
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Rust May Form on the Strut Tower Housing
RepairPal Expert Overview:
In areas where winter road salt is used, a mixture of snow/water and salt may enter an assembly location hole in the upper strut housing. This corrosive mixture can collect on the mating surface of the strut housing panel and the inner hood ledge assembly; over time, this can cause rusting of the strut tower housing. The rust can weaken the housing, causing it to crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly. This can lead to grinding noises and increased steering effort, which, if severe enough, can cause the steering column to break. This would result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicles as necessary. An interim notification letter should be mailed to owners prior to May 16, 2011.
Learn more »Nissan Pathfinder Recall 10E019000
Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Learn more »Nissan Pathfinder Questions and Answers
My Pathfinder always smells of gas, and when I look underneath, I can see a puddle of gas. What are the most likely causes of a gas leak?
Can anyone tell me what each of the four fusable links in the top
of the interior fuse box (below & left of steering column) do? There is no description on the chart like there are for the normal ...
i went to start my truck and it has the little black button you have to push to get the key out. the button seems to be stuck but im not sure if it popped out before or just pushed in a bit. the ke...
if my ac is running the idle is worse, i replaced plugs recently w/o good gap tool,
1990 4x4 pathfinder, v6 5speed
problem: runs great up to 3500 rpms all gears but once over 3500rpms starts banging out, already replaced cap, rotor, and fuel filter. Distributor shaft doesnt have...
Nissan Pathfinder Stories
My 1999 Pathfinder has 315,000. Still runs great. i bought it 2 years ago for a measly $500. it had 279k on it. this truck is still nice looking and runs awesome.no major probs.
My 02 Pathfinder has been a bundle of mixed emotions since day one. I have the 5 sp manual with almost all of the offered bells and whistles except leather. I purchased it in 06 with 70k on it. It's gone through oil since day one and has gotten progressively worse over the last 6 yrs. It drove and looked great up until about 6 months ago. It rattles and has developed a shudder which I think might be the clutch finally going. I can't complain about that considering I'm near 140k on the first clutch. The various heat shields have been rattling for the last year or two no matter how many sections I bend and cut off. It still looks good, the paint etc has held up well. I haven't done any maintenance on it because I've always expected the oil issue to become a huge problem but 6 years later it still runs well, I just have to remember to add oil every two fill ups. My major gripes and reasons why I probably won't buy another is the engine oil issue. The exhaust is garbage and I've been patching and repairing leaks etc for the last five years, I've been told that the pipes are stainless so they don't rust but they use carbon steel at all the welds and that's where it leaks. They were right b/c I have a leak at almost every location they welded a hanger. Why Nissan bothers spending the money to use stainless pipe only to have the system need to be replaced almost as often as a conventional system is beyond me. I've never wanted to sink the money into a permanent exhaust fix because of the engine oil situation. All and all it's been a weird relationship. I like it more than almost all of the other vehicles I have owned in the past from a driving perspective and I'm struggling to find something I like more to replace it with but the lurking major problems that have raised their ugly heads from day one of ownership has made it impossible for me to truly enjoy the vehicle as I'm always waiting for that catastrophic failure that luckily has not yet come. Oh yeah, I almost left out the way to common disc changer issue, the disc changer has been a problem since day one as well. Other cars I've owned were 98 Honda CRV (never a problem but a very boring car), 94 Isuzu Trooper (no problems but always felt it would tip over) 88 Acura Integra (my favorite up until I got the Pathfinder,had similar feeling as far as having everything I wanted but without any oil or rediculously expensive exhaust issues). 80 VW Vanagon Westfalia ( fun but lots of issues). A couple other vehs that are not note worthy.
I paid $300 bucks for a 92 SE 4x4 3.0 and have beat it mercilesly as a toy for my property, Everything worked on it before I turned it over in my creek, even then it started and I drove it back to the house. 227K on odometer.
I feel like I stole it as it is extreemly rugged and flies off of my homemade ramp like it has wings, I have had it over 3 feet in the air and it just takes it. I am putting bigger tires on it and turning it into a rock crawler.
how to replace the throw-out bearing for the clutch and the right side steering center link
1987 nissan pathfinder 2dr v-6 automatic
does not have air cond..
added aftermarket cruise control
reliable vehicle..now approaching 200,000kms.
regular maintanance
travelled western canadian provinces..to eastern seaboard states-side
now going thru second child..had suv since 6 months old...NO regrets
body showing rust...34 yrs old..still runs like a top
had sent letters to nissan about underpower of engine...other options which are on all today...)))