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 39 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.
Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
39 reports
152,031 miles · Aug 25, 2013
Structure
REAR FRAME ON THESE SUV RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WAS PULL A SMALL TRAILER AND THE FRAME AT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL COME APART AND WENT TO MANY JUNKYARDS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDER FROM 89-95 THEY RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT GIVING NO WARNING THAT IT IS FAILING, SOME THAT I CHECK WITH A HAMMER AT TH…
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REAR FRAME ON THESE SUV RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WAS PULL A SMALL TRAILER AND THE FRAME AT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL COME APART AND WENT TO MANY JUNKYARDS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDER FROM 89-95 THEY RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT GIVING NO WARNING THAT IT IS FAILING, SOME THAT I CHECK WITH A HAMMER AT THE JUNKYARD THE HAMMER WENT THREW THE FRAMES, NISSAN HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK IF THE FRAME IS WEAK ,WITH NO WARNING !!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10537107
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2005
Tires
1991 NISSAN PATHFINDER DEVELOPING PROBLEMS WITH THE GOODYEAR FORTERA TIRE EQUIPMENT. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ONE OF THE VEHICEL' S FRONT TIRES WAS CUPPED SEVERELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WANDER WHEN DRIVEN (GOODYEAR FORTERA H1). *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128066
162,000 miles · Jun 16, 2004
Tires
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK, DOT BB604RB307. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10079356
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2003
SteeringSuspension
STEERING MECHNISM HAS FAILED, CAUSING UNVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10030150
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2003
Tires
ABNORMAL TREAD SEPARATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025872
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Tires
CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR 4 P235/75R15 FIRESTONE ATX STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES HE PURCHASED WHICH WERE PART OF SAFETY RECALL 00T005. *TT
NHTSA ODI #564224
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2001
SeatsCrash
WHILE IN A CAR CRASH REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS RECLINED UPON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #897194
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2001
Seat Belts
RECALL 95V103002 REPAIRS WERE PREVIOUSLY DONE. HOWEVER, SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE FAILING TO REMAIN LOCKED, PREVENTING PASSENGERS FROM BEING PROPERLY RESTRAINED. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #896732
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2000
Power Train
UNKNOWN TO ME AS EXPLAINED TO ME BY TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DISINTEGRATING OVER TIME PUTTING DEBRIS INTO TRANSMISSION COOLER LOCATED INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THIS CLOGGED UP THE RADIATOR THUS PREVENTING COOLING OF TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION GEARS THUS WORE OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE MECHANIC WHOSE SPECIALT…
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UNKNOWN TO ME AS EXPLAINED TO ME BY TRANSMISSION MECHANIC THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DISINTEGRATING OVER TIME PUTTING DEBRIS INTO TRANSMISSION COOLER LOCATED INSIDE THE RADIATOR. THIS CLOGGED UP THE RADIATOR THUS PREVENTING COOLING OF TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION GEARS THUS WORE OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE MECHANIC WHOSE SPECIALTY IS TRANSMISSIONS HAS RECEIVED BULLETINS FROM HIS TRADE ASSOCIATION AND NISSAN ON THIS MATTER BUT AT THE TIME COULD ONLY SHOW ME BULLETIN FROM THE "INFINITY Q45 "MODEL WHO HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND PROBLEMS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT NISSAN ADVICE WAS TO ADD AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH WOULD ALLOW A LITTLE LONGER LIFE, BUT EVENTUALLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL GO. I HAD ONLY 62K MILES AND CONSIDER THIS NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS THUS WILL NOT HELP OUT ON EXPENSES. I FEEL THEY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING SINCE THEY KNOWINGLY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS A POORLY MANUFACTURED TORQUE CONVERTER. *AK
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.
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
1991 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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