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: suspension
41 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Apr 13, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO ANOTHER LANE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE APRON HAD CRACKED NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT. THE MECHANIC WELDED IT BACK TOGETHER. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING, THE SAME WHEEL WOULD NOT REPOSITION ITSELF AFTER MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME LOCAL MECHANIC AGAIN AND HE ADVISED HER THAT THE FRONT STRUT WOULD GO THROUGH THE TOWER AND THE WHEEL WOULD COME OFF; THEREFORE, IT WOULD BE BEST TO JUNK THE VEHICLE UNLESS SHE WANTED TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A JUNK FACILITY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Suspension, Mar 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER ROTTED AND THE WELDS WERE FRACTURING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN DRIVING 10 MPH AND OVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE STEERING AND FOUND THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTING AGAINST THE STEERING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/26/11
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Mar 9, 2011
2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER MAJOR FRONT DRIVERS STRUT TOWER CORROSION, CAUSED STEERING COLUMN TO SNAP. *TR
Suspension, Mar 8, 2011
THE STRUT TOWER ON MY 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER BROKE LOOSE FROM THE VEHICLE AND PRESSED UP ON THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING SEVER STRESS ON THAT UNIT. I WAS ABLE TO NOTICE IT PRIOR TO BREAKING THE STEERING COLUMN JOINTS AND FOUND A QUALIFIED BODY SHOP TO PRESS THE UNIT BACK TOGETHER AND WELD SUPPORT BRACKETS TO HOLD THE STRUT TOWER IN PLACE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2011
ALSO AFTER HAVING THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED PROBLEM FIXED, 1 WEEK LATER I NOTICED THE FOLLOWING: MY 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER SEEMED EXCESSIVELY BUMPY AND THE STEERING SEEMED VERY STIFF AT TIMES AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE. I TOOK IT INTO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE WHEEL WELL IS ATTACHED TO A STRUT MOUNT. THE STRUT IS LOOSE (CAUSING THE BUMPY RIDE) AND THE STRUT IS PRESSING AGAINST THE STEERING SYSTEM CAUSING THE STEERING TO BE STIFF. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT AND WENT OVER A BUMP, THE STRUT COULD PLUNGE THROUGH THE HOOD. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT IF I WERE TO HIT A POTHOLE AT ON A HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT FURTHER, I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT ISSUE WITH PATHFINDERS AND THE AND THE CAUSE WAS THAT THE FRAME RUSTED THROUGH.
Steering, Suspension, Jan 10, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER WELD WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE STEERING ABILITIES. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL RUBBING NOISE HEARD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 09/16/11 *JB
Suspension, Nov 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT FRAME HAD RUSTED AND CRACKED. A MECHANIC AT A BODY SHOP STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Suspension, Structure, Oct 24, 2010
I OWN A 2000 PATHFINDER. THE FRONT STRUT TOWER HAS SEPARATED FROM THE CAR'S FRAME DUE TO RUST. THIS REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL IT OCCURRED AFTER I HIT A POTHOLE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Aug 16, 2010
MY 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE STARTED MAKING STRANGE NOISES IN THE FRONT END ABOUT A WEEK AGO. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE STRUT TOWER HAD TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TAPPED IT WITH A HAMMER, IT CREATED A HUGE HOLE, AND THE FRAME JUST DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND MUST BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. HAVING IT REPAIRED IS NOT FEASIBLE. AS A MECHANIC, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE. IT'S MAINTAINED AND WASHED REGULARLY. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE PATHFINDER, AND SHOULD WARRANT A PRODUCT RECALL. DRIVING THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS WOULD BE RISKING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. *TR
Suspension, Jul 27, 2010
I HAVE A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER . JULY 24,2010 I HIT A POTHOLE ON I95 NORTH,SHORTLY AFTER THAT I STARTED HEARING SQUEAKING NOISES,TRUCK WAS PULLING, STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING VERY BAD, I COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 55 MPH. WHEN I GOT HOME MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT OUT AND THAT'S WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THE SHOCK TOWER SEPARATED (CRACKED) FROM THE FRAME RAIL. SHOCK TOWER DOES HAVE SOME RUST CORROSION BUT HITTING A POTHOLE SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS TO CRACK,THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE. MY TRUCK IS MECHANICALLY EXCELLENT AS WELL AS COSMETIC. I CALLED NISSAN DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY TRUCK AND HE WAS VERY SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS ISSUE, AND SAID IT WAS VERY RARE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH PATHFINDERS. MY TRUCK DID NOT START SHOWING SIGNS THAT SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG UNTIL THIS DAY 7-24-201. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MUCH MORE DAMAGES OR EVEN POSSIBLY A BAD ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM IS SOMETHING THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF ....ITS LIKE DRIVING A DEATH TRAP AND A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB TO FIX. BUYERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE AND NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL BULLETIN ON THE SHOCK TOWER RUST CORROSION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED DUE TO THEIR LACK OF PERFORMANCE. MY TRUCK IS IN MY BODY SHOP AS I AM TYPING THIS..I AM AWAITING AN ESTIMATE..HE DID TELL ME ITS AN EXPENSIVE JOB..12-13 HRS LABOR ALONE,PLUS PARTS. NISSAN NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS!! BIG QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THE SHOCK TOWER RUST, SHOULDN'T IT BE RUST PROOFED? TRUCK CAN'T POSSIBLE BE THAT SAFE IF SOMETHING LIKE HITTING A POTHOLE WOULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
Suspension, Jul 14, 2008
I HAVE A NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 2000 THAT IN THE PAST 8 MO HAVE ROCKING OR WOBBLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE (OR LEFT TO RIGHT) WHEN DRIVEN AT FREEWAY SPEED (55-75). IF YOU DO NOT LET OFF THE GAS OR MAKE A SLIGHT CORRECTION WITH STEERING WHEEL, IT WILL GET REALLY BAD TO A POINT THE IT MIGHT FISHTAIL. IT'S BEEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING EVEN AT LOWER SPEED, IT'S BEEN HAPPENING. ASIDE FROM SPEED, IT CAN BE TRIGGERED BY SLIGHT UNEVEN ROAD OR BUMPS. I HAVE HAD MY ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCED, FRONT END STRUTS REPLACED WHICH HELPED A LITTLE. I STILL HAVE TO GET REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THERE AR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOM OF MY CARE. IT SEEMED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE PATHFINDER (HIGH MILEAGE-- MINE IS 121,000) AND IT APPEARS THAT THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ON REAR SUSPENSION IS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF THERE HAVE BEEN FATALITY INVOLVED. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH ALL NISSAN PATHFINDER TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL FLAW IN THEIR SUSPENSION DESIGN. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Mar 18, 2008
2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH MULTIPLE FRONT END PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND DID NOT REPACK THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THEN THE FUEL INJECTOR MADE THE VEHICLE SHAKE. *KB THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING, THE CRANK SHAFT PULLEY WAS LOOSE AND THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOOSE.
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 1, 2004
THE REAR END LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. FIRST THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING POPPING NOISE, FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE SHAKING. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS IT, CAUSING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALERSHIP. *JB *TC
Suspension, Sep 17, 2003
CAR WILL START ROCKING BACK IN FORTH AFTER SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, ENOUGH TO MAKE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *JB
Suspension, Sep 11, 2002
ORIGINAL TIRES, TOYO, TRAMPATH, 255/65R16. VEHICLE SHAKES AT 60 MPH. NISSAN REBALANCED, AND PLACED 4 WEIGHTS ON TIRES, AND VEHICLE STILL IS NOT BALANCED, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK
Suspension, Air bags, Apr 5, 2002, crash
MY SIXTEEN YEAR OLD SON ALONG WITH MY SEVEN YEAR OLD SON WERE DRIVING MY CAR WHEN CAR STARTED WOBBLING, HE LOST CONTROL GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES AN HOUR, OVER CORRECTED AND WENT HEAD FIRST INTO TREES AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY MY SONS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY MAJOR INJURIES, JUST BUMPS AND BRUISES. THE CAR THEN HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AFTER THE FRONTAL IMPACT THEN HIT ON THE REAR. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. AT NO TIME DID THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DEPLOY. IF NOT FOR THE SEAT BELTS, MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AND MY SON DRIVING DID HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS HAD IT DEPLOYED. I WOULD SAY THIS WAS DEFINITELY A DEFECT WITH THE CAR. *AK