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
128 reports, newest first.
Power train, Structure, Wheels, Aug 25, 2004
IBOUGHT MY 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER LAST SEPT. 11, 2003 WITH A ODOMETER READING OF 59,000 MILES.I DID REARCH ON THIS CARAND CHOSE THE PATHFINDER FOR ITS REPUTATION AND DEPENDABILITY. I EVEN BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY(GOLD POWERTRAIN)TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR I HAD TO HAVE A SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $670.83, THEN IN JULY I HAD TO HAVE MY BOLT-WHEEL HUB REPLACED AT A COST OF $52.52. NOW THIS MONTH I HAVING TO REPLACE THE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $212.32 THAT'S A TOTAL OF $935.67 IN LESS THAN 9 MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.THREE MONTHS IN A ROW ON REPAIRS.AND TO TOP IT OFF MY WARRANTY COVERS NOTHING.THIS CAR HAS NOT PROVEN TO ME TO BE RELIABLE.I'M A SINGLE MOM WITH A SON IN COLLEGE AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY SON BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION.I WOULD APPRECIATE IF NISSAN WOULD REFUND ME SOME OF MY EXPENSES.I CAN PROVIDE RECEIPTS.THANK YOU.*AK
Tires, Jun 18, 2004, crash
HAD A SEVERE CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE BACK RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT AND DETREADED. SUSTAINED FROM NECK AND BACK PAINS. FIX OF THE NISSAN PATHFINDER COSTS NEAR $10000. UNDER MEDICAL EVALUATION.*AK
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.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 21, 2004
THE ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. IT IS DIFFICULT TO STEP ON THE PEDAL WITHOUT A LOT OF PRESSURE RESULTING IN A SURGE IN THE VEHICLE SPEED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2004
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 20, 2004
THE ACCELERATOR STICKS IN THE IDLE POSITION, DUE TO SLACK IN THE THROTTLE WIRE. AT TIMES IT TAKES A GOOD AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO "UNSTICK" THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
TOOK CAR FOR REGULAR SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE TO PLACE I BROUGHT MY CAR WHICH IS AUTOTECH NISSAN AT 622 WEST 5TH STREET NYC, NY 10019. AFTER LEAVING CAR FOR A DAY, I PICKED IT UP & DROVE THREE BLOCK WHEN IT SHUTTERED, OIL LIGHT CAME ON & CAR SHUT OFF. AFTER HAVING IT FLAT BED TO AUTOTECH NISSAN, IT WAS LEAKING OIL PROFUSELY. SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPLACE OIL DRAIN PLUG THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THEY WOULD REPLACE WITH A NEW ENGINE, AT NO COST TO ME. I ASKED IF I WOULD RECEIVE PAPER WORK AS TO THE ENGINE AND WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME HE ASSURED ME THAT I WOULD. BUT THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME ANY PAPERS CONCERNING THE MOTOR THAT WAS PUT IN THE CAR. THE CORPORATION STATED THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PASSED THE ISSUE ALONG TO THE ARBITRATION DEPT. I FILED A COMPLAINT THE SAME DAY . WHICH WAS 01-31-03.
Tires, Oct 27, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DISINTEGRATED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK *TS
Suspension, Sep 17, 2003
CAR WILL START ROCKING BACK IN FORTH AFTER SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, ENOUGH TO MAKE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *JB
Tires, Jul 14, 2003
WHILE HAVING MICHELIN P255/65 R16 TIRE INSPECTED FOR CAUSE OF TIRE NOISE, DISCOVERED INSIDE TIRE OVER TWO DOZEN IRREGULAR SHAPED BALLS OF RUBBER COMPOUND RANGING FROM 4 TO 10 MM IN SIZE. TIRE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN AND MICHELIN HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY INQUIRY. DOES THIS CONDITION REPRESENT A POTENTIAL TIRE FAILURE PROBLEM?*AK
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
Service brakes, Air, Jan 21, 2003
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ,THERE WERE NO FRONT BRAKES AT ALL. PH
Power train, Dec 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Exterior lighting, Oct 29, 2002, fire
WHILE DRIVING AND MOVING A LOAD OF FURNITURE CONSUMER ENCOUNTERED AN ODD STENCH. SMELL WORSENED AS CONSUMER BEGAN TO SUFFOCATE WITH THE AIRBORN SUSBSTANCE-WITH THE WINDOW OPENED. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION WHERE HE FOUND THAT THE BACK OF VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES, WITH THE FIRE SPREADING INTO DANGEROUS PLACES WITHIN VEHICLE. CONSUMER SUSPECTED THAT LIGHT MIGHT HAVE SWITCHED ON FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, CAUSING THE EXPLOSION OF LIGHT WITH HEAT BUILDUP. *SCC . *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 19, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT "UNIFIED METER" WHICH CONTROLS DASHBOARD FUNCTIONS HAD FAILED. THIS PROBLEM SOMEHOW RESULTED IN SHUT OFF OF GAS FLOW TO ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. OCCURRED ON 9-3-02 AND 9-15-02.*AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 20, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING MY SUV I HEARD A LOUD BANG, INMEDIATELLY AFTER THAT, THE SUV TURNED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT. I TRIED TO MAINTAIN ON MY LANE BUT IT WAS USELESS. THE VEHICLE KEPT TURNING RIGHT. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON THE WET PAVEMENT SLAMMING THE VEHICLE AGAINST THE BRIDGES WALL. THE VEHICLE HIT AGAINST THE WALL WITH THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF IT. THEN IT SLOWED DOWN. THERE WERE NO FLAT TIRES. THE REAR AXLE SHIFTED TO THE LEFT DUE TO THE CRASH. OTHER PARTS WHERE DAMAGED. I GUESS THE CRASH WAS DUE TO THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAUSE IT WAS LOOSE AND BROKEN. I HAD NO PROBLEMS BEFORE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT DID NOT GAVE ANY SIGNS OF WEAR, NEITHER MADE STRANGE SOUNDS SO ONE COULD TAKE IT FOR A PREVENTIVE CHECK. THIS VEHICLE (NISSAN PATHFINDER 2000) IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD!!!*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 9, 2002
WHEN APPLYING ABSBRAKES THEY DO NOT ENGAGE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS YET TO BEE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 12, 2002
CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS EXITING A PARKING LOT AND UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE REQUIRING CONSUMER TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM JUMPING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, AS CONSUMER HELD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE REAR TIRES BEGAN TO SPIN IN A CONTINUOUS ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FOWARD, CONSUMER THEN PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, AND NOTICED THE TACHOMETER WAS INDICATING THE ENGINE SPEED AT OVER 4000 RPMS, AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF PLACING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RETURNED TO A NORMAL IDLE SPEED.*JB
Seat belts, Jan 29, 2002
SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY IN THE REAR-RIGHT OUTBOARD POSITION LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. RETRACTOR CONTINUED TO TIGHTEN ON A CHILD AND BELTS HAD TO BE CUT TO ALLOW CHILD TO EXIT VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS REPLACING SEAT BELT SYSTEM FOR THAT SEATING POSITION UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jan 16, 2002
I HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE AT LOW SPEEDS. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE REAR TIRES SPUN AND WHEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL ENGINE REVED TO 4500 RMPS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL. SECOND INCIDENT RESULTED IN VEHICLE GOING THROUGH RED LIGHT AT INTERSECTION WITH A NEAR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE INSPECTED BY DEALER WHO CLAIMS THEY CANNOT "DUPLICATE PROBLEM." CONSUMER REP. FOR NISSAN SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ELSE UNLESS THE AUTO IS IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2001, crash
WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND RAN UP A CURB AND INTO A BUILDING. *AK DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *TT
Exterior lighting, Sep 13, 2001
DEALER HAS TREATED SYMPTOM; NOT CAUSE OF FAILURE. NO SAFWETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK