2000 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 128 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2000 reports, 11 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 13 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, columnApr 20, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and capSep 18, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.
THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2009, crash
MISCONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 26, 2007
GAUGES (TEMPERATURE, GAS, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM) ALL GO DEAD WHILE DRIVING. THE ERROR HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE MY CAR WAS ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD. I HAVE READ OTHER NISSAN CUSTOMERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2000 YEAR MODELS, HOWEVER NO RESOLUTION HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION. THE DIGITAL ODOMETER ALSO DOES NOT REGISTER MILES AS THEY ARE ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING. LUCKILY I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A SPEEDING TICKET YET. IF I DO, NISSAN SHOULD PAY! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 5, 2007
ROUGH IDLE PROMPTED ME TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A MECHANIC. AFTER IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER I WAS TOLD THE O2 SENSORS WERE TELLING MY COMPUTER TO RUN THE GAS LEAN AND THE COMPUTER WAS TELLING MY O2 SENSORS TO RUN LEANER. AT THAT TIME MY CAR HAD ONLY 52,000 MILES AND I KNOW THE O2 SENSORS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR UP TO ABOUT 80,000. NOTING WAS DONE AND THE CARE CONTINUES TO HAVE THE ROUGH IDLE AS IF IT WANTS TO DIE. I HAVE PUT ABOUT $2K INTO IT TRYING TO FIX POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND FEEL IF IT IS AN O2 SENSOR PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS UNDER 80,000 MILES IT IS A DEFECT. *NM
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, May 6, 2006, crash
MY 2000 MAXIMA IS HORRIBLE I HAVE THE NOTORIOUS COIL PROBLEM PLUS I SMASHED INTO A POLE AND THE CAR'S AIR BAGS AND THE SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK YOU MUST HIT THE BRAKE FOR THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK AND YOU NEED TO REALLY HIT SOMETHING REAL HARD BUT AT THAT POINT YOU MAY ALREADY BE DEAD THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS ,THEY CAN BE SUED AND I AM GOING TO CONGRESS WITH THIS,THEY ARE NOT SENSITIVE TO ANYONE'S LIVES THEY SHOULD BAN NISSAN COMPANY THEY ARE CROOKS HUGE LAW SUIT THEY CAN GO DOWN. *NM
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2005
MULTIPLE TIMES IN 2004 (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY) STATING ROUGH IDLE-CANNOT FIGURE OUT. SAFETY CHECKS SHOW NO PROBLEMS. 2 AUG 05 CODE P1320 (PLUG #3 CLEANED); P 0303/GAS CAP. CODES CLEARED $112.00; DIDN'T EVEN GET CAR IN GEAR OFF DEALER'S LOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. SVC REP STATED WAS OFF AFTER WORK PERFORMED MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE. KEPT 2 DAYS, REFUSED TO PUT SR. TECH ON MY CAR WHO HAS WORKED ON THE CAR. TOOK TO ANOTHER SHOP, REPLACED ALL 6 IGNITION COILS. NEW CODE TO REPLACE TORQUE COVERTOR MALFUNCTION = TRANSMISSION. EST FROM 300-$3,000.00!
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2005
CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON 2 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 1 WEEK.
Electrical system, Apr 12, 2005
MY FIRST PROBLEM IS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DASHBOARD. WHEN DRIVING AT LOW OR HI GH SPEED THE ENTIRE CLUSTER WOULD STOP WORKING FOR A FEW MINUTES OR HOURS, AND THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER, AND SUDDENLY IT WOULD START WORKING AGAIN. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ALMOST CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT ON TURNPIKE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THA CIRCUIT BOARD WAS REPLACED. MY LATEST PROBLEM IS THE SECURITY/DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. MY DOORS KEEP UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN AS I'M DRIVING ( CHILD ON BOARD). I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS ARE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS AMONG XTERRA OWNERS.*AK
Electrical system, Feb 13, 2005
2000 NISSAN MAXIMA WITH BAD IGNITION COILS - OVER 1200 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED AN ON-LINE PETITION. CONSUMERS ARE GETTING SCREWED BECAUSE OF FAULTY COILS SUPPLIED BY NISSAN. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2005
IGNITION LOCK REFUSED TO TURN WITH CODED, CORRECT KEY INSERTED. SECOND KEY ALSO FAILED TO TURN IGNITION. DEALER REMOVED SWITCH, SENT LOCK OUT AND REINSTALLED REPAIRED IGNITION LOCK. COST $300. ON JAN. 21, 2005, VEHICLE AGAIN WOULD NOT START. DEALER REMOVED IGNITION LOCK AND ORDERED NEW. PART ON BACKORDER UNTIL FEB. 18. VEHICLE STILL AT DEALERS. $350 PLUS IS THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Electrical system, Dec 27, 2004
ON COLD MORNINGS WHEN DRIVER APPLIES BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND PULSES RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP AND CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ASLO IGNITION COILS ON 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA ARE DEFECTIVE BASED ON INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. CHECK ENGINE SOON COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND VIBRATES.*AK
Electrical system, Nov 18, 2004
ON FIRST COOL DAY (MID-50S) OF NOVEMBER (IN HOUSTON, TX), THE ENGINE ON MY 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA GLE BEGAN SHUDDERING OCCASIONALLY AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LAMP LIT. I TOOK VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF ALL SIX IGNITION COILS AT A COST OF $660 (INCLUDING LABOR, PARTS, AND SALES TAX), WHICH I DECLINED. MY FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM AMONG 2000-01 MAXIMAS, AND THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED TSB NTB01-059 WHICH ADDRESSES THE ISSUE.*AK
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2004
(1) I WAS EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS WITH MY 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA TO THE EXTENT THAT WHEN I ACCELERATED THE ENGINE BOGGED DOWN AND PLACED ME IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. (2) THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS INTERMITTENT IGNITION COIL FAILURE BUT IT WAS UNDETERMINED AS TO WHICH COILS AND WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE ALL 6. (3) I HAVE SINCE READ MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE VERY SAME FAILURE TO THE EXTENT THAT NISSAN HAS BEGUN USING AN UPGRADED COIL. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IS DEFECTIVE. I NOTE THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN INSTITUTED ON THE IGNITION COILS AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE THAT PROVES VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. *JB
Electrical system, Jun 4, 2004
IGNITION KEY SWITCH FAILS TO TURN. A NEW KEY WAS PURCHASED AT THE COST OF $100 AND IT ALSO DOES NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS APPROXIMATELY 75K MILES. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE MODE WITH NISSAN. THE COST FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR A NEW IGNITION KEY SWITCH IS AROUND $300. BUT HOW LONG WILL THIS PART TAKE TO ALSO FAIL.? I HAVE HAD VEHICLES WITH OVER 200K MILES AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A KEY SWITCH. WHY DOES THIS PART FAIL ABNORMALLY? THE VEHICLE IS USED NORMALLY, NO EXCESSIVE RESTARTING TO CAUSE EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE SWITCH. ONLY 2 OTHER KEYS ARE ATTACHED TO THE KEY RING, SO COULD NOT WEAR DUE TO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT ON THE TUMBLERS INTERNAL TO THE KEY SWITCH.*AK
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2004
2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS IN PARK AND THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE KEY ISN'T STUCK IT JUST WON'T TURN. HAVE TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND HAVE TRIED A DIFFERENT KEY. IT STILL WON'T BUDGE.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2003, fire
WHILE DRIVING A SMELL BEGAN TO SUFFOCATE THE CONSUMER, AND IMPAIRED HIS/HER VISION AS THE SMOKE DIFFUSED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. MR THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND THEN NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DISTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INSPECTED THE AREA AND NOTICED THE INTERIOR LIGHT WAS DAMAGED. MR SCC *JB