EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 125000 MILES. THE MANIFOLD STUDS WERE PUT ON TOO TIGHT, CAUSING THEM TO BREAK. THE MANIFOLD BECAME WARPED, CAUSING CARBON MONOXIDE TO LEAK INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
1988 Nissan Pathfinder
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pathfinder years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
17 reportsONE STUD LOOSENED/SHEARED FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO TIGHTEN IT. *AK
ONE STUD ON EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD LOOSENED AND SHEARED OFF WHEN MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO TIGHTEN. THIS COULD POSSIBLY ALLOW CARBON MONOXIDE TO LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CREATING A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT.
RECEIVCED RECALL # 95V103002 ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, AFTER REPAIRS, REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES AREN'T WORKING . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
TAKATA BUCKLES NHTSA RECALL 95V103002; PUENTE HILLS NISSAN CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA., WILL NOT ACCEPT APPOINTMENTS UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL 1996. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
TAKATA SEAT BELTS; DRIVER FRONT LAP/SHOULDER SEAT BELT WILL NOT REMAIN LATCHED TOGETHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
TK#521 SEAT BELT LOCK JAMS WITH A PIECE THAT HAS FALLEN OFF, PREVENTING FASTENING. TT
Official recalls
295V103002 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
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 & remedy
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.
90V072000 · Equipment:other:labels
Apr 17, 1990
INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA95007 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 2, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
Illustration