2004 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 67 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 3 involved a crash. 2 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 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
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
EquipmentJul 3, 2007
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.
THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.
HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.
Campaign 07E046000 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: hydraulic
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 4, 2005, crash
I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS FAR BACK FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME I THEN REALIZED THAT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD NO TAILLIGHTS AND WAS STOPPED , I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND MY BRAKES SHIMMIED KIND OF LIKE I WAS HYDROPLAINING ON WATER AND THEN I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLE RAN EVEN THOUGH I HIT THEM. THIS CAUSED OVER 7,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND WHIPLASH TO ME. ALSO A POLICE OFFICER SAW THE ACCIDENT AND HE EVEN SAID HE SAW HOW FAR AWAY I WAS AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I DID NOT STOP. I AM A PARALLEL AND I HAVE ALREADY FOUND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NISSAN NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND IF THEY ARE NOT I WILL TAKE THEM TO COURT. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING IN TO THIS. MY HUSBAND IS ALSO A US MARINE SERVING IN IRAQ AND WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WANTED ME TO BE SAFE THEREFORE I HOPE NISSAN WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THESE CARS. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Seats, Jul 18, 2005
2004 NISSAN ARMADA DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THERE WAS A SHIMMY WHEN BRAKING, THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT ADJUST AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOISY. THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED, THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED, TURNED, RE-MACHINED AND MACHINED AGAIN. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 9, 2005
THE THIRD SET OF FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE CONSUMER'S 2004 NISSAN TITAN DUE TO SEVERE SHUDDER AND VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 9400 MILES. *NM *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 1, 2005
WHILE BRAKING AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL PULSATED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED/REPAIRED THE WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 1, 2005
WHEELS SHOOK, AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY. BRAKES ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON EACH TIME WHEN VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 28, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 8, 2004
WITHIN EVERY 2500 MILES FRONT ROTORS PREMATURELY WORE OUT. BRAKE ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 27, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE SOFT. THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHEN BRAKING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED FRONT PADS. ALSO, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A SUB STANDARD BRAKE SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER OFFERED TO TURN THE ROTORS AND REPLACE THE PADS WITH AN UPGRADE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THE 2004 MODELS WERE TOO SMALL.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2004
BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWICE, AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND TURNED SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, THEY KEPT WEARING OUT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jul 6, 2004
WHILE BRAKING FOR A RED LIGHT THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK THIS MAY HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 28, 2004
WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 4, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES HE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THEN VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE HAVING A NATION WIDE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT WHEN HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY PUT NEW BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACED THE ROTORS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS JUST A MONTH OLD.*AK