NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
170 reports147,000 miles · Nov 25, 2012
Structure
I PURCHASED A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE IN JUNE, 2007 FOR $3000. IN 2010 I HAD TO HAVE THE STARTER REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS LOADED ONTO A TRAILER TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FRIEND OF MINE TO HAVE THE NEW STARTER PUT ON. WHEN HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME, AFTER THE STARTER WAS PUT ON, HE HAD ME LOOK AT THE FRAME. IT WAS SO …
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I PURCHASED A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE IN JUNE, 2007 FOR $3000. IN 2010 I HAD TO HAVE THE STARTER REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS LOADED ONTO A TRAILER TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A FRIEND OF MINE TO HAVE THE NEW STARTER PUT ON. WHEN HE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME, AFTER THE STARTER WAS PUT ON, HE HAD ME LOOK AT THE FRAME. IT WAS SO RUSTED OUT THAT I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. BUT I HAD TO, ONLY VEHICLE TO DRIVE. YOU COULD PUT YOUR FIST THROUGH THE RUST. AFTER GOING ONLINE AND DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT ALOT OF 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN DONE. I ALSO CONTACTED THE INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE AND GOT THEM INVOLVED. STILL NO SOLUTION SINCE NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE. FINALLY IN JUNE OF 2011, I SOLD IT TO A JUNK YARD FOR $250. YES, I COULD HAVE SOLD IT TO A PRIVATE PARTY, BUT DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE IF THEY DROVE IT AND THE FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE CAN BE AN INVESTIGATION IN THIS. TOYOTA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND REIMBURSED THOSE PEOPLE AT 150% OF BOOK VALUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485939
162,000 miles · Nov 8, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY BEFORE PROGRESSING TO A PERMANENT OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY BEFORE PROGRESSING TO A PERMANENT OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.
NHTSA ODI #10483717
200,000 miles · Jun 16, 2012
StructureSuspension
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO HANDLE REAL BAD AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A SHOP. INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTED, THE SECTION OF FRAME THAT HOLDS THE UPPER 2 REAR CONTROL ARMS IN PLACE HAD TORN AWAY …
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VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO HANDLE REAL BAD AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A SHOP. INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRAME IS ROTTED, THE SECTION OF FRAME THAT HOLDS THE UPPER 2 REAR CONTROL ARMS IN PLACE HAD TORN AWAY FROM THE FRAME CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10461940
100,800 miles · Jun 6, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructureSuspension
GAS LEAKS AFTER ENGINE TURNING OFF ENGINE; AFRAID OF EXPLOSION (MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE). [XXX] FROM KOEPPEL NISSAN, QUEENS, NY HAS ASKED TRUCK TO BE TAKEN BACK FROM DEALERSHIP WITHOUT FIXING SINCE "IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED". THE UNIT ALSO HAS SEVERE FRAME AND RAIL CORROSION WHICH CAN CONTRIBUTE TO FATALITY. SUSPENSION/STEERING G…
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GAS LEAKS AFTER ENGINE TURNING OFF ENGINE; AFRAID OF EXPLOSION (MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE). [XXX] FROM KOEPPEL NISSAN, QUEENS, NY HAS ASKED TRUCK TO BE TAKEN BACK FROM DEALERSHIP WITHOUT FIXING SINCE "IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED". THE UNIT ALSO HAS SEVERE FRAME AND RAIL CORROSION WHICH CAN CONTRIBUTE TO FATALITY. SUSPENSION/STEERING GIVING EXCESSIVE FEEDBACK. HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN THE PAST WEEK (OUTSIDE THE DEALERSHIP) TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. PLS HELP IMMEDIATELY. THANKS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460780
102,537 miles · Mar 29, 2012
SteeringStructure
MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE FRAME ON MY 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS ROTTED OUT AND WAY BEYOND SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. THE EXTREME RUST PROBLEM IS AT THE STRUT ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD EASILY BREAK AND THE VEHICLE LOOSE STEERING FUNCTION. THE REAR FRAME AREA IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY…
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MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE FRAME ON MY 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS ROTTED OUT AND WAY BEYOND SAFE TO DRIVE AT ALL. THE EXTREME RUST PROBLEM IS AT THE STRUT ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD EASILY BREAK AND THE VEHICLE LOOSE STEERING FUNCTION. THE REAR FRAME AREA IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN NISSAN PATHFINDERS. ALTHOUGH IT'S AN OLDER TRUCK, IT'S A DESIGN FLAW AND MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. TOYOTA HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND TOOK CARE OF IT, I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY SEEM UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453486
110,000 miles · Oct 25, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, HE WAS INFORMED THAT PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CORRODED PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON VARIOUS OTHER PORTIONS OF THE FRAME. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, HE WAS INFORMED THAT PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CORRODED PORTIONS OF THE FRAME WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED ON VARIOUS OTHER PORTIONS OF THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10432755
96,567 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Structure
THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE IS SO ROTTED THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT. NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA HAD ME BRING IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT IT. THEY TOOK PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS UNFIXABLE. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ON LINE AND…
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THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE IS SO ROTTED THAT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT. NISSAN OF NORTH AMERICA HAD ME BRING IT TO ONE OF THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT IT. THEY TOOK PHOTOS OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS UNFIXABLE. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT ON LINE AND READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT PATHFINDER FRAME ROT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428882
144,800 miles · Oct 1, 2011
StructureSuspension
I HAVE A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I DISCOVERED SEVERE FRAME RUST A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO BOTH BELOW MY REAR SEAT WHICH COVERS TWO AREAS. JUST YESTERDAY I ALSO DISCOVERED FROM RUST BEHIND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. WHY IS IT THAT VISUALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE THE CAR LOOKS GREAT, IT RUNS GREAT, BUT THE THING IS FALLING APART WHERE YOU CAN'…
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I HAVE A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I DISCOVERED SEVERE FRAME RUST A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO BOTH BELOW MY REAR SEAT WHICH COVERS TWO AREAS. JUST YESTERDAY I ALSO DISCOVERED FROM RUST BEHIND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. WHY IS IT THAT VISUALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE THE CAR LOOKS GREAT, IT RUNS GREAT, BUT THE THING IS FALLING APART WHERE YOU CAN'T SEE IT? THAT TO ME IS DANGEROUS AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME NISSAN TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428111
89,000 miles · Sep 22, 2011
Structure
I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE FRAME ON MY CAR HAS RUSTING AWAY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. NOW, THE REAR OF THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES IS 50% GONE! THE FRONT FRAME ON BOTH SIDES HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE WHEEL WELL. THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND I HAVE KEPT IT IN THE GARAGE IT'S E…
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I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE FRAME ON MY CAR HAS RUSTING AWAY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. NOW, THE REAR OF THE FRAME ON BOTH SIDES IS 50% GONE! THE FRONT FRAME ON BOTH SIDES HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE WHEEL WELL. THERE IS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND I HAVE KEPT IT IN THE GARAGE IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. I HAD IT DETAILED EVERY SPRING AND EVERY FALL. I CALLED NISSAN TO COMPLAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO NOTHING SINCE MY CAR WAS SO OLD. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. IT HAS LESS THAN 94,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I FEEL THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I STRONGLY FEEL NISSAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT AND SHOULD MAKE SOME EFFORT TO RECTIFY THIS MATTER WITH ME. THE FIRST MUFFLER ON THIS CAR OUTLASTED THE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10426773
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicStructure
WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE MY BRAKES ON OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER I SAW THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND FULL OF HOLES, THE GAS TANK AND REAR END HAVE FALLEN DOWN AND ARE HANGING ON BY THE FRAME. THIS VEHICLE WAS USED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF MY FAMILY, AND I WAS TOLD BY AN ENGINEER THAT WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE AL…
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WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE MY BRAKES ON OUR NISSAN PATHFINDER I SAW THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND FULL OF HOLES, THE GAS TANK AND REAR END HAVE FALLEN DOWN AND ARE HANGING ON BY THE FRAME. THIS VEHICLE WAS USED FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF MY FAMILY, AND I WAS TOLD BY AN ENGINEER THAT WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE, AND VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE DID NOT KILL ANY INNOCENT PEOPLE. THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. WHAT KIND OF COUNTRY DO WE LIVE IN THAT PUTS THE LIVES OF ITS CITIZENS IN DANGER FOR A CAR COMPANY? I PRAY NOT THIS ONE, PLEASE ACT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425192