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1990 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 97.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 2 of 38 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. 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.

1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO FAILURE OF INTERNAL COMPONENETS. THERE SEEM TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AROUND THE TRANSMISSION OF THE 1990 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. I HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 10 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO FAILURE OF INTERNAL COMPONENETS. THERE SEEM TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AROUND THE TRANSMISSION OF THE 1990 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. I HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 10 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE PRIMARY DRIVER FOR THE SECOND FIVE YEARS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. IN ADDITION MY DEALER INFORMED ME THAT NISSAN DID REDESIGN THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THI IS A HUGE PROBLEM. IS THERE A WAY TO BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION INTO NISSAN SURROUNDING THIS VEHICLE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #746898

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THERE ARE 2 RECURRING PROBLEMS THAT APPEAR TO BE PATENT DEFECTS WITH MOST EARLY 90'S PATHFINDERS. THEY DESERVE INVESTIGATION BY DOT. FIRST IS PREMATURE AND REPEATED FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, PROBABLY (BUT NOT CERTAINLY) DUE TO INADEQUATE OIL COOLING. I NOTE THAT IN THE YOUR DATABASE THERE ARE 30+ REPORTS OF TRANSMIS…

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THERE ARE 2 RECURRING PROBLEMS THAT APPEAR TO BE PATENT DEFECTS WITH MOST EARLY 90'S PATHFINDERS. THEY DESERVE INVESTIGATION BY DOT. FIRST IS PREMATURE AND REPEATED FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, PROBABLY (BUT NOT CERTAINLY) DUE TO INADEQUATE OIL COOLING. I NOTE THAT IN THE YOUR DATABASE THERE ARE 30+ REPORTS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES (SEVERAL OF THEM INDICATING MULTIPLE FAILURES) FOR MODEL YEARS 1989-1991. THERE ARE ALSO A DOZEN OR MORE REPORTS OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUD FAILURE - MOST INDICATING MULTIPLE FAILURES - AND NISSAN DEALERS REPORT THAT THIS HAPPENS TO VIRTUALLY EVERY EARLY 90'S PATHFINDER. AT $300-400 A POP, THIS IS AN OUTRAGE...AND IF YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD (WHICH MAY WARP WHEN THE STUD BREAKS), IT'S $1,300 PLUS! I'VE SPENT OVER $8,000 ON REPAIRS FOR THESE 2 TYPES OF PROBLEMS, AND NISSAN IS UNRESPONSIVE. I'D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THEIR OWN RECORDS SHOW IN TERMS OF # AND $ VOLUME OF DEALER SERVICE INCIDENTS RELATING JUST TO THESE PATENT DEFECTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707774

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1998
Power Train

REPEATED TRANSMISSION PLANETARY GEAR FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #537009

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 1997
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #525231

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1997
Power Train

WAS DRIVING AND TRUCK STALLED ( CUT OFF) WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, TOOK TO MECHANIC, HE SAID IT THAT THE REAR THRUST WASHER IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #808801

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 1996
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #507444

Mileage unknown · May 31, 1996
Power Train

TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985079

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1995
Power Train

PURCHASE CAR NEW AT 77,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED . TT

NHTSA ODI #977144

Mileage unknown · May 4, 1995
Power Train

METAL PARTICALS CIRCULATING FROM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE COOLING LINES, CAUSING RADIATOR CORE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #486270

Mileage unknown · May 4, 1995
Power Train

PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE FOR 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHEN TRAVELING ON BEACHES NEAR OCEAN TIDE POOLS. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #486269

Official recalls

2

95V103002 · 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

1

EA95007 · 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