2002 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 171 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 16 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Campaign 20V008000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 2, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March, 31, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 17V068000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 15, 2015
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Campaign 15V287000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Air bags, frontalJul 6, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
THE INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE AND PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE FORTY-SIX AFFECTED VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 10V312000 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
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: engine and engine cooling
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Seats, Equipment, Aug 17, 2011
I HAVE HAD THE PULLEY REPAIRED ON MY 2002 PATHFINDER REPAIR TWICE, IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN 2008 I BELIEVE. AND IT IS STILL GIVING ME A PROBLEM. THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, AND IN EXTREME HOT WEATHER, MY MOTOR DRAGS, AND IT IS HARD TO START THE ENGINE. THE CD PLAYER NEVER WORK RIGHT. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2011
RECENTLY, OUR 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD TO HAVE AN ENGINE REPLACED. THE CAUSE WAS A SET OF VERY SMALL BOLTS IN THE BUTTERFLY VALVE ASSEMBLY WHICH IS NOW A PART OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ENGINE SHOP TECH NOW PERFORMING THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT MENTIONED THAT HE IS SEEING A LOT OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THESE SPECIFIC ENGINES. ALSO, THIS IS THE SECOND 2002 PATHFINDER WE HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO. THE OTHER ONE WAS MY DAUGHTER'S. I AM AN OPERATIONS RESEARCH SYSTEMS ENGINEER AND KNOW THAT THE PROBABILITY OF THIS OCCURRING TO TWO VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR WITHIN THE SAME FAMILY; BOTH PURCHASED FROM THE SAME LOCATION IS A PRIME INDICATOR OF A SYSTEMIC ENGINEERING PROBLEM. THE FACTORS ARE THAT THE BOLTS WORK LOOSE AND DROP INTO THE CYLINDERS. IF THEY DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN THE CYLINDER, THEY ARE BLOWN OUT THE EXHAUST. IF THEY DO GET CAUGHT BY THE PISTON, THEY SCRATCH THE WALLS OF THE CYLINDERS ALLOWING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OIL TO BE FORCED INTO THE CHAMBER WHERE IT IGNITES AND IS EXHAUSTED. THE SUBSEQUENT REPAIR IS COSTING $5200. IN BOTH OF THESE SITUATIONS, THE OIL RESERVOIR WAS EMPTIED WITHIN 2-3 DAYS. I KNOW THIS AS I CONSTANTLY CHECK VEHICLE FLUIDS (I WAS AN ARMY OFFICER AND HAD A MOTOR POOL). I CAUGHT A LOW OIL QUANTITY IN BOTH VEHICLES; REFILLED THE RESERVOIR; AND CHECKED IN A FEW DAYS TO FIND THEM NEAR EMPTY AGAIN. I ALSO KNOW THAT HAD THE OIL RUN OUT WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AN ENGINE SEIZING COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE AND POTENTIAL SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, ON BOTH VEHICLES, I TOOK THE VEHICLES TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. THEY SEEMED TO BE UNAWARE OF THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED A SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTIC ACTION AT A COST OF $2000 THAT ONLY WOULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND NOT REPAIR IT. A NON-NISSAN TECH RECOMMENDED THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT GIVEN HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE VEHICLES AND THE RECURRING PROBLEM. I REPORTED THIS SITUATION TO NISSAN MOTOR C *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 16, 2010
I OWN A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 97,000. MILES ON IT. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THAT HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS AND RECENTLY I HAVE BEGUN TO SMELL EXHAUST INSIDE THE CAR. THIS APPARENTLY IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY NISSAN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2009
1: EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER, 71,000 MILES. LOUD EXHAUST SOUNDS. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT CAR (CHARGED $50 TO LOOK) AND REPORTED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM PIPES GOING INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE CRACKED - AGAIN - ALREADY REPAIRED ONCE. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR/REPLACE WITHOUT CHARGE. THIS IS A RECURRING DEFECT AND POSSIBLY AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM. THE PIPES CARRY EXHAUST FROM ENGINE INTO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER AND THEY ARE LEAKING AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE OR MANY OTHERS ONLINE. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SPECIFICALLY TOLD ME, "WE SEE THIS ALOT" ?!?! DEFECTIVE! NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT, I NEED ASSISTANCE ENSURING THAT THE DEALERSHIP TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR A RECURRING ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2009
1. EXHAUST LEAK SOUNDS, EXHAUST INTO CAB OF VEHICLE, LOUD RATTLING SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING. 2. NOTICED AROUND 60,000 MILES, PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE! 3. TAKEN TO NISSAN, NISSAN REFUSES TO PAY FOR DEFECT. NISSAN CLAIMED CRACKED PIPES, NO RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 21, 2009
EXHAUST SYSTEM PROBLEM ON 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. JUST PAID $645.00 TO HAVE TWO CO2 OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACE ON VEHICLE AND THEN WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY RESONATORS REPLACE IN ORDER TO PASS THE EMISSION CONTROL TEST. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING EMISSION FROM THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS CO2 SENSORS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 22, 2009
I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 88.000 MILES ON IT THIS CAR IT SHOULD BE JUST GETTING BROKEN IN JUST GOT DONE PAYING THIS CAR OFF IT COST ME AROUND 18,000 DOLLARS IN 2004 PAID IT OFF IN JUNE 2009 THINKING I COULD GET BACK ON MY FEET AGAIN BUT I SEE THAT WONT HAPPEN NOT WITH A BAD DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND A RUINED ENGINE THAT EATS ANTIFREEZE AND DRINKS OIL THAT'S JUST SOME OF THIS CARS ISSUES POOR HEAT OR NO HEAT IN WINTER I CANT BELIEVE WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS ON ALL OF THE NISSAN SIGHT NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY NHTSA THERE ARE MORE THAN A FEW COMPLAINTS OUT THERE ITS UNREAL AND WHEN YOU NEED HELP THEY TELL YOU YOUR VIN# IS NOT THE CORRECT ONE IF ALL THESE CARS COME OFF ASSEMBLY LINE WITH DIFFERENT CONVERTERS AND MANIFOLD SYSTEM THEN AND PRECAST THAN MAY BE ,BUT NOT THE SAME PARTS WITH THE MANIFOLD AND THE SAME CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE FOWLED PRINTS NOWAY!!!ALL THESE 2002 ALTIMAS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ARE BEING TOLD THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT VIN# WELL LETS SEE THESE VIN # BEFORE WE TELL THEM TO YOU THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR 7 YRS KNOW DOESN'T NHTSA HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINT BY KNOW TO REOPEN IT CASECLAIN #03V084000 I SEE THEY HAVE SHORTENED A LITTLE FROM ITS ORIGINAL CLAIM , FIX WHAT YOU MESSED UP IN THE FIRST PLACE BAD DESIGN PRECAST NEXT TO INTAKE SPEND THE MONEY YOU MADE ON ALL OF US AND DO IT RIGHT THEN YOU MAY GET CUSTOMERS BACK PEOPLE ARE NOT STUPID AND WILL NOT FORGET ,THIS CAR IS MY SECOND NISSAN I HAD A PATHFINDER AND AFTER THIS COMPLETE INJUSTICE NEVER AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK ABOUT 2 YEARS AND 30,000 MILES AGO. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. YOU COULD SMELL THE EXHAUST LEAK AND HEAR THE EXHAUST LEAK. THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE RESONATORS OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.FIGURING THAT MY WARRANTY WAS UP, I HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED AT MY OWN COST. RECENT INVESTIGATION INTO WEBSITE COMPLAINT FORUMS MADE ME REALIZE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR 02-03 NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE 8/80 RULE TO BE FIXED BY NISSAN AT NO COST. THE FAILURE OF NISSAN TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES THAT THERE IS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH MANUFACTURING IS AN OUTRAGE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 20, 2009
THE EXHAUST "RESONATORS" ON MY 2002 PATHFINDER BEGAN TO LEAK AT A WELDED SEAM AT ABOUT 28,000 MILES. THE NISSAN DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST PIPES AND INSISTED ON INSTALLING A PATCH KIT. THIS KIT ONLY LASTS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES AND THEY BEGIN TO LEAK AGAIN. THIS REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED 4 TIMES THUS FAR AND IT IS LEAKING AGAIN. TRUCK NOW HAS 103,000 MILES. NISSAN NOW REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE PATCH. MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON SO I SUSPECT THIS IS TIED TO THE EXHAUST LEAK. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT ALLOWS EXHAUST GASES TO COME FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND ENTER THE CABIN WHEN SITTING IDLE. BASED ON LOCAL DEALERS OWN ADMISSIONS, THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 2, 2009
DETAILS: WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMERS SINCE 1987 AND MY 2002 PATHFINDER STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD US THAT 2 SCREWS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE POWER VALVE AND WERE BOUNCING AROUND IN THE CYLINDER, AND THERE WAS NOTHING WE HAD DONE WRONG. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NISSAN REFUSE TO CORRECT. I AM TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED FOR $150.00. THE COST OF REPAIR THE PATHFINDER IS $7,899.99 WHICH NISSAN NORTH AMERICAN HAS REFUSE TO PAY. WE HAVE TALKED TO THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST AND SHE REFUSE TO AUTHORIZE THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING A LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMER SINCE 1987, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY REFUSES TO HELP US. I HAVE A 1994 WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. I WENT ON LINE AND FIND OUT THAT MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE KEPT THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 2,000-2,500 MILES. I NEED HELP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 5, 2008
I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I HAD A LEAK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIPE AT WHAT LOOKS LIKE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I PAID NISSAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A YEAR LATER IT IS LEAKING AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO BE REPAIRED. THEY TOLD ME THE PART ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PIPE IS NOT A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC IT WAS. EITHER WAY THIS SEEMS TO BE A LARGE PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY NISSAN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 13, 2008
NISSAN ALTIMA - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NOVEMBER 2006. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR COULD BE BAD AND NOT NECESSARILY THE PART. THEY SHUT THE LIGHT OFF AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO GO OFF AND ON OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR YET PASSED A STATE EMISSIONS TEST. NO OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS OCCURRED. NOVEMBER, 2008 VEHICLE FAILED STATE EMISSIONS TEST - TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATES THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 80K MILES - THE CAR HAS 83K MILES. HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY DEALERSHIP MECHANIC YET FOR FEAR THE ESTIMATED $1000 REPAIR COULD TURN INTO AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT A MUCH HIGHER COST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2008
WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMERS SINCE 1987 AND MY 2002 PATHFINER STARTED MAKING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD US THAT 2 SCREWS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE POWER VALVE AND WERE BOUNCING AROUND IN THE CYLINDER, AND THERE WAS NOTHING WE HAD DONE WRONG. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT NISSAN REFUSE TO CORRECT. I AM TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED FOR $150.00. THE COST OF REPAIR THE PATHFINDER IS $7,899.99 WHICH NISSAN NORTH AMERICAN HAS REFUSE TO PAY. WE HAVE TALKED TO THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST AND SHE REFUSE TO AUTHORIZE THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING A LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMER SINCE 1987, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY REFUSES TO HELP US. I HAVE A 1994 WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. I WENT ON LINE AND FIND OUT THAT MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE KEPT THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 2,000-2,500 MILES. I NEED HELP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 6, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 67,000 MILES. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, MY TWO REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE LEAKING CO2 FROM THEIR SEAMS. ACCORDING TO MY SERVICE MANUAL, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL WARRANTY 8/80. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE WHITE PLAINS NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S THE EXHAUST TUBES THAT ARE LEAKING. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT COULD BE REPAIRED BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING AND FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH 2002-2003 PATHFINDERS AND THAT THE EPA HAS NOTIFIED NISSAN IN THE PAST THAT THIS PRODUCTION DEFECT COULD CAUSE HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. I DON'T SEE WHY THEY CAN CALL THESE PARTS "EXHAUST TUBES" WHEN THEY ARE REALLY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND HAVE THEM NOT SUBJECT TO THE FEDERAL WARRANTY. I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS WITH A PRODUCT RECALL. CAN YOU HELP ME IN THIS MATTER? THANK YOU, DORRINE LIVSON *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 23, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SPLIT IN THE MIDDLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE RESONATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED INSTEAD OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $1,500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECENTLY SMELLED VAPORS COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 11/07/08. *LJ THE FRONT EXHAUST TUBES WERE LEAKING AND VENT CONTROL VALVE WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/07/08. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 28, 2008
CRACKED RESONATOR/CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT 60K MILES. WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NO COVERED BY NISSAN, THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL, BUT TO PURCHASE A 'FIX' KIT. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE PATHFINDER AND NISSAN WILL NOT RECALL THE ITEMS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2008
WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN SEPT 2007, IT HAD 24,509 MILES ON IT. THE EXHAUST SOUNDED SOMEWHAT LOUD BUT NOT TOO ABNORMAL. JUST UNDER A YEAR LATER, THE EXHAUST WAS VERY LOUD AND RATTLING. WE TOOK IT IN TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THE FRONT EXHAUST TUBES WERE RUSTED AND LEAK. THEY SAID NISSAN SUPPLIES A 'REPAIR KIT' TO PUT A PATCH ON THESE TUBES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE MANY ENTRIES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS. ONE SUCH FORUM CAN BE FOUND AT TOPIX.COM. JUST THE FACT THAT NISSAN SUPPLIES A 'REPAIR KIT' TO FIX THIS EXACT PROBLEM SHOWS THESE EXHAUST TUBES ARE FAULTY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2008
RUMBLING SOUND COMING FROM EXHAUST. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS A LEAKING CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A CRACKED TUBE IN THE EXHAUST AND THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION FE04-002. REFERENCE NTB04-092. ISSUED 9-1-2004. THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. MY SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, MOSTLY SAFETY RELATED, SEVERAL PEOPLE SUFFERED DIZZINESS WHILE IDLING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEIR FIX IS TO CLAMP A PATCH ON TO THE LEAKING AREA. MANY OF THE REPORTS I READ SAID THAT THIS ALSO FAILS. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THEIR SOLUTION IS A FAILURE ALSO. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 29, 2008, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND IT BEGAN SMOKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OVERHEATING AND NOT TO WORRY. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AND THE FIRE MARSHALL HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2008
MY 2002 PATHFINDER HAS A OVERHEATING PROBLEM. IT BEGAN APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO. WHILE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE TEMP. ROSE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. A LOCAL MECHANIC NOTICED THE A/C COMPRESSOR GOING BAD, REPLACED THIS AND PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED AND BECAME MORE FREQUENT. MECHANIC PRESSURE TESTED RADIATOR, IT SEEMED FINE, FOUND TWO VERY TINY LEAKS, SEALED THEM, PUT ON A NEW RADIATOR CAP. PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER. THEY REPLACED FAN CLUTCH. STILL SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALER TRIED FLUSHING RADIATOR. STILL OVERHEATING. DEALERSHIP THINKS THERE IS SOME KIND OF BLOCKAGE IN THE RADIATOR THAT THEY CANNOT FLUSH OUT. THEY CANNOT CREATE ENOUGH PRESSURE TO FLUSH IT PROPERLY. THEY RECOMMEND A NEW RADIATOR. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO INSTALL IT IN 2 DAYS. HOPEFULLY THIS FIXES MY PROBLEM. I'VE REPLACED THE WHOLE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM? I'VE READ A SERVICE BULLETIN OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANOTHER PERSON. NISSAN CAN'T EXPLAIN CAUSE. CHECK OUT CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10191259. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE WHEN PROBLEMS AROSE: 85,000 MILES. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 9, 2008
2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER - SPLIT SEAMS IN RESONATORS / CATALYTIC CONVERTER THE EXHAUST ON THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN A BIT NOISY SINCE IT WAS ABOUT A YEAR OLD. RECENTLY WHEN IT WENT TO A SHOP FOR SOME UNDERCAR WORK, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE BOTH SPLIT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND REQUESTED REPLACEMENT UNDER THE 8 YEAR 80,000 MILE WARRANTY MANDATED ON EMISSIONS EQUIPMENT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THOSE PARTS WERE INDEED LEAKING BADLY, AND THAT NISSAN HAD SO MANY FAILURES THAT THEY HAD DEVELOPED A SPECIAL PATCH KIT FOR THEM. I DECLINED THE PATCH DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE COST FOR A FEW LARGE CLAMPS AND SOME EXHAUST CEMENT. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH INDICATES THAT NUMEROUS OTHER PATHFINDERS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, THUS THERE IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE WELDING OF THE SEAMS OF THIS PART WHICH ACCORDING TO MIDAS IS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ACCORDING TO NISSAN IS A RESONATOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS CARBON MONOXIDE IS BEING RELEASED DIRECTLY UNDER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH NISSAN AND THEY CLAIM IT IS PART OF STANDARD WARRANTY AND THUS NOT COVERED, AND THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I INFORMED THEM OF MY INTENT TO PROCEED WITH COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IF NECESSARY TO FORCE A RECALL OF THIS DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES FOR ALL OWNERS OF NISSAN PATHFINDERS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2008
LEAKING EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM RESONATORS/CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 8, 2008
SINCE 09/07 I HAVE PAID MORE THAN $2500.00 TO REPLACE, CHANGE, CHECK, AND MAINTAIN THE OIL IN MY CAR. I KNOW HAVE TO CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 1,500 MILES INSTEAD OF EVERY 3,000 SO IT WONT BURN OUT THE ENGINE. IT IS A 2002 ALTIMA BUT APPARENTLY THE "VIN" NUMBER IS NOT ONE THAT WAS IN THE RECALLED NUMBERS YET IT IS HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT THE OTHER WERE RECALLED FOR. HOW IS IT THAT RANDOM NUMBER ARE CHOSEN TO FIX AND OTHERS ARE LEFT TO SHELL OUT AND MORE LIKELY HAVE TO BUY A NEW (OF COURSE NOT A NISSAN AT THIS POINT) CARE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2007
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO THE GREENVILLE, NC NISSAN DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR AN EXHAUST LEAK. AFTER BOTH VISITS, THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED THE LEAK AS "FRONT TUBES". THE NISSAN DEALER STATES THESE ARE NOT CONSIDERED CATALYSTS. THEY STATE THE "FRONT TUBES" ARE CRACKING DOWN THE SIDES AND CAUSING AN EXHAUST LEAK ON BOTH OF THEM DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE ME $1400 TO FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE PATHFINDER TO AN INDEPENDENT EXHAUST SHOP AND THEY DIAGNOSED BOTH "FRONT TUBES" AS CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BEING FAULTY. THE NISSAN DEALER STILL REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THE MATTER. THIS IS A MAJOR EXHAUST LEAK HAPPENING DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I RESEARCHED THE NISSAN SERVICE MANUAL FOR THE 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND LOCATED THE EXHAUST DIAGRAM. ACCORDING TO THE DIAGRAM, THE PART THAT IS FAULTY IS CONSIDERED A TWC(UNDERFLOOR) WHICH IS A THREE WAY CATALYST. NISSAN IS REFUSING TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. THEY OFFER A PATCH WHICH UTILIZES AN EPOXY AND ROUND CLAMPS TO FIT OVER A RECTANGULAR CATALYST. THIS IS NOT A PROPER FIX. THEY STILL WANT TO CHARGE FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH THEIR PARTS MANUAL STATES THIS IS A CATALYST. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAD 63K MILES ON THE FIRST VISIT AND NOW ONLY HAS 70K MILES ON THE MOST RECENT VISIT. THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD ISSUE AMONG THE 2002 AND 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 14, 2007
RECURRING EXHAUST LEAK, EVEN AFTER HAVING THE MANUFACTURER INSTALL THEIR OWN REPAIR KIT. *TR