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 Llight 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.
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.
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.
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)
Infiniti QX4 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.
Learn more »
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 »Infiniti QX56 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
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...)))
Bought my 02 pathfinder used in Salt Lake City in 2007 with 60k miles. Lucked out that this had 2 owners, both times considered a "fleet vehicle". I LOVE THIS CAR! literally I'm at 137,000 in 2011, I'm about to change a spark plugs for the first time, I just had the brakes replaced, the "original" brakes that were still at 40%. I also just rplaced the struts and shocks (preventive). Had to get a computer software upgrade for the timing and idling once, which nissan didn't charge me for. I've had no problems other than what would fly off the road to hit me somewhere. Has timing chain instead of belt, and have never had to change it. Nissan rocks.
Only problems- tires expensive, service to change plugs expensive $300, so I'm doing it myself today, interior arm rest upholstry cracked and broke in sun.
Other than those, I am the happiest I've ever been with a car with my pathfinder!
158,000 bad original weld gave way and Nissan woudl do nothing. Dealer estimate was over $1,000.00 to repair.
Passenger front window is difficult to go up and down
corrosion starting at top center of windshield
wife's 99 Honda Accord - same mileage - is STILL close to perfect
lesson learned - BUY A HONDA
I bought a 93 pathfinder as my second car to be more winter capable than the 1st. I bought it a few months ago with 201,4xxx miles on it and it now has 202,100. I was not thrilled or even comfortable with buying a foreign car, but these older Nissans were practically the only cars on the market at the time with the standard option being a V6, stick, and 4x4. And this was the only car in my area in my price range with these options, so I snagged it up. Besides all the electrical issues caused by the previous owner screwing with everything, it is a good car. The body is solid and any small rust spots I sanded and repainted. I did however, a couple weeks into owning the truck find a hole in the driver's floorboard, which I was not happy about.I have seen though that the bumpers on these cars are very good at rusting out, which mine has already started to do. In contrast to the 91 s10 I had before, which was full of body rust but had near new condition bumpers. The engine also seems underpowered and not as strong as I would expect for a SEFI 3.0 v6.(everything on my engine runs as good as it should) This car also has a horribly geared 5th gear. At 70 mph, the engine is running near 3500 rpm. Not much of an overdrive. Overall, it is a reliable car and that is why I bought it because I will most likely be putting over 400k miles on it by the next 6 years. However, I have also experienced that if you have to replace ANYTHING on this truck, don't make other plans for a day or so. For ex. most of the sparkplugs are burried and almost unreachable or grabable. If you have electrical issues to sort out, Nissan did a wonderful job sticking tons of relays all over the car and hidden too. I would recomend buying one. But do an inspection on it like you work for a jail. Check every and any control, feature or button this truck has and make sure they all work. Check the frame and test it, looks can be deceiving as I found out. As I have heard before, Nissans are great, long lasting and running vehicles, but when parts break, have fun!