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
171 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 29, 2003, crash
AFTER 12 MONTHS OF DRIVING BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO RESPOND DIFFERENTLY AFTER DEPRESSING IT ON SOME OCCASIONS, NOT ON OTHERS. STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE NOTICEABLY WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AT LOW SPEED, BRAKES FAILED ENTIRELY, CAUSING REAR END COLLISION, THEN, THEY BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. NO CONSISTENCY OR PATTERN DETERMINED WHETHER BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO RESPOND OR WHEN THEY WOULD RESPOND UNUSUALLY. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS INITIALLY SHOWED NO OVERT PROBLEM WITH ABS WHEN THE BRAKES WERE RESPONDING NORMALLY.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 7, 2003
WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO AROUND 6000 RPM WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE. I CAME WITHIN A FOOT OF THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICE PARKED IN THE SPACE BEHIND THE ONE THAT I WAS PARKING IN. I HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP IT. I RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE IN "PARK" AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AT ABOUT 4500 RPM. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AGAIN AND RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THIS TIME THE ENGINE IDLED NORMALLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN TOMS RIVER, NJ ON JULY 2, 2003 AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM AND STATED ON THE REPAIR FORM "TECH TEST DROVE VEHICLE AND ALSO CHECKED TO STORED FAILURE CODES. NO CODES DETECTED, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE". WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND SAFE TO DRIVE. I ALSO CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT AND AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, NISSAN STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 PATHFINDER AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT THEY COULD DO IF THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I MADE BOTH NISSAN AND THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THERE WERE TWO (2) COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE ON YOUR WEB SITE FOR THE 2002 PATHFINDER AND I EVEN GAVE THE DEALER A COPY OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT I PRINTED FROM YOUR SITE. I ALSO SEE ON YOUR SITE THAT THERE ARE FIVE (5) COMPLAINTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION FOR THE 2001 PATHFINDER AND THREE (3) COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2000 MODEL YEAR. I HOPE THAT YOUR AGENCY WILL INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINT, AS NISSAN AND THE DEALER BOTH STATE THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THE NISSAN PATHFINDER.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 4, 2003
VIBRATION PROBLEMS DURING HARD ACCELERATION AND CONSTANT VIBRATION BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH.... FOUR VISITS TO TWO DEALERSHIPS... UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM ... VEHICLE ALSO WAS IN TWICE FOR OIL LEAK. *JB
Seat belts, Apr 1, 2003, crash
THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IN MY NISSAN PATHFINDER LE DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT RECENTLY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME, RESULTING IN A HEAD INJURY WHEN I WAS THROWN UP INTO THE ROOF. *JB
Tires, Mar 17, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING TWO TIRES BLEWOUT, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A TREE. *AK
Seat belts, Feb 17, 2003
I HAVE A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER MANUFACTURED IN APRIL OF THAT YEAR. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE THE LOWER ANCHORS FOR THE LATCH SYSTEM, BUT DOES HAVE A REAR TETHER ANCHOR IN THE FLOORBOARD OF THE TRUNK. I CAN NOT SECURELY INSTALL A REAR-FACING CONVERTIBLE CRS DUE TO EXTENED WEBBING ON THE SEAT BELTS. I HAVE TRIED 3 DIFFERENT CRS MODELS UNSUCESSFULLY. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CAR DEALERSHIP, MAUFACTURER AND A CERTIFIED CAR SEAT SAFETY INSPECTION POINT. AT THIS POINT, THERE IS NOT A REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 6, 2003, crash
I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AND HAD BEEN FOR A FEW MINUTES. SUDDENLY, MY CAR BEGAN TO REV UP FAST THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, WHICH DID NOTHING. I TRIED TURNING TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING HIS CAR AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED. APPROXIMATELY $8000 OF DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR.
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Equipment, Jan 29, 2003
MY PATHFINDER HAS MANY PROBLEMS.FIRST THE VECHLE VIRBRATES AT ALL SPEEDS,WIND NOISE FROM BOTH FRONT WINDOWS AND ROOF RACK,THERE IS ALSO A JERK WHEN YOU SHUT VECHLE OFF THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN IN 4 WHEEL AUTO THIS IS NOT 4 WHEEL FLOOR SHIFT,THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX 4 TIMES AND NOW STATES THERE IS A BULLETEN STATED THIS IS NORMAL TO GET A JERK PROBLEM RELATE TO ALL PATHFINDER AND INFINTY Q-4 FROM 1998-2002.THE VIBRATION IS STILL PRESENT TOO THE DEALER HAS BALANCED ALL FOR TIRES BUT VIBRATION IS STILL THERE ALTHOUGH IS IS NOT AS BAD,AS FOR WIND NOISE THEY SUGGESTED I BUY WIND DELFECTOR FOR BOTH WINDOWS AND ROOF
Power train, Jan 14, 2003
REAR RIGHT AXLE SEAL CONTAINED A CRACK AND HAD LEAKED FLUID ONTO BRAKES. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKING ABILITY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS OF THE AXLE SEAL CRACK. BUT PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.*JB....*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 30, 2002
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 70 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER THAT WAS TRAVELING BEHIND WAS SUDDENLY ON CONSUMERS BUMPER. CONSUMER PRESS ACCELERATED AND VEHICLE WENT FROM 75 TO 95, THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. CONSUMER STATES' IF VEHICLE SPEED EXCEEDS 95 MPH VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR ANY WHERE THAT STATES VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT 95 MPH. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER.
Suspension, Nov 20, 2002
THE FRONT END IS ALL RUSTED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT TO FALL WHILE DRIVING. DT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 17, 2002
BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL ALLOWS BRAKE PEDAL TO MOVE PAST GAS PEDAL ALLOWING CONTACT WITH GAS PEDAL WHILE BRAKING CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. DT
Suspension, Nov 1, 2002
VIBRATION PRESENT AT 20 MPH AND THEN AGAIN MOST NOTICABLE AT 38-40 MPH. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT ASSY-REAR. VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. DT
Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2002
WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, DUE TO ITS POSITION AND THE TRAVEL OF THE BRAKE PEDAL I ALSO DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FOREWARD.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 3, 2002
ALL OF THE DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK FROM THE INSIDE INTERMITTENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 1, 2002
WHEN DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL LOCK, AND AT TIMES WILL NOT LET CONSUMER OPEN THE DOOR, CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE DOOR LOCKED BY ITSELF TWO MORE TIMES AND THE DOOR KEY DOES NOT OPEN FRONT DOOR WHEN LOCKED. *YH
Steering, Jun 3, 2002
CREAKING NOISE WHILE STEERING.....REPLACED SPIRAL CABLE. TWO HOURS AFTER HAVING VEHICLE FIXED - IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. NOW I HAVE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, May 30, 2002, crash
THE THROTTLE ON THE VEHICLE STUCK WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE "FLEW" INTO MY PLACE OF BUSINESS BARELY MISSING AN EMPLOYEE. THE VEHICLE HAS $9,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE AND I AM TERRIFIED THAT THE THROTTLE WILL AGAIN STICK AFTER THE BODY WORK IS COMPLETED. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT, SIDE, AND BACK THE AIR BAG ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WOUND UP WITH A BROKE WRIST. I WANT TO KNOW WHERE I CAN GET ASSURANCE THAT THE THROTTLE WILL NOT AGAI N STICK.*AK
Suspension, Apr 24, 2002
WHEN HITTING A POTHOLE OR BUMP, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE DUE TO REAR COIL SPRINGS COMPRESSING, THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO INDICATED IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. *AK *JG
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 28, 2002, crash
BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS DOWN BELOW ACCCELERATOR PEDAL. OUTSIDE OF DRIVER'S SHOE GOT CAUGHT ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS IT LIFTED UP ON THE BRAKE, CAUSING A REAR END CRASH. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A DEALER DEMONSTATION VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, AND DEALER WAS AWARE.*AK
Visibility, Feb 5, 2002
WHILE DRIVING REAR WINDOW FELL OUT. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK