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
67 reports, newest first.
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
Power train, Aug 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
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
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 1, 2004
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE LOAD IN THE TRUCK SHIFTED AND MADE A HALF INCH DENT INSIDE THE BED OF THE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE TAIL GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE CROSS MEMBER WHICH SUPPORTS THE FLOOR BOARD HAS ALSO SHIFTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Visibility, Jun 29, 2004
NISSAN PATHFINDER LESS THAN 1 MONTH OLD, 1000 MILES AND THE HEATING/AC UNIT IS NOT WORKING. BLOWER IS NOT WORKING AT ALL. *AK
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
Tires, Apr 7, 2004
RE: NISSAN ARMADA; THE FLAT TIRE ALARM SOUNDED AND AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE THE FLAT TIRE SENSOR LOCATED ON THE VALVE STEM WAS LEAKING AIR PROFUSELY. IT WENT FROM 36 LBS OF AIR TO 20 LBS IN APPROX 1 MINUTE. HAD WE NOT PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY JUSAT BEFORE THE EVENT I FEEL WE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK
Visibility, Apr 3, 2004
SPONTANEOUS SHATTERING OF THE REAR HATCH GLASS IN MY 2004 NISSAN ARMADA. *NM
Seats, Feb 20, 2004
IN THE FIRST COUPLE DAYS OF BUYING OUR NEW NISSAN ARMADA TO OUR SURPRISE THERE WAS A TEAR IN THE ARM AS WELL AS A WHITE STREAK ON THE CAPTAINS CHAIR JUST BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT. AFTER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT HAPPENED WE SAW THAT THE ARM HAD HIT THE CENTER CONSOLE, CAUSING THE TEAR AND STREAK. SHOULDN'T THE ARM AUTOMATICALLY GO UP WHEN THE CHAIR IS RELEASED OR MAYBE THE CENTER CONSOLE A BIT THINNER SO AS NOT TO TEAR A RIP IN THE ARMS OF THE CHAIRS? I CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OURSELVES TO HAVE THE ARM REPLACED. CALLED THE DEALER AND JUST THIS WEEK (2 MONTHS LATER) THEY HAVE THE PART IN. NOT SURE IF THE DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE ME OR NOT. I WILL FIGHT IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE WAY THE CHAIR AND CONSOLE ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.*AK
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2004
COMPLAINT CONCERNS 2004 NISSAN ARMADA. MY VEHICLE MAKES AN UNBEARABLE FLUTTERING NOISE (LIKE A HELICOPTER SOUND) AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH +; THE SOUND IS SO LOUD IT HURTS OUR EARS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN. ALSO, THERE ARE MAJOR AIR LEAKS FROM THE FRONT DASH AND SIDE DOORS WHICH THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD NOW FOR OVER TWO MONTHS THAT THE WEATHERSTRIPPING NEEDED HAS BEEN ON "BACK ORDER!" MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO DEVELOPED AN UNUSUAL ENGINE NOICE (LIKE SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT) AFTER APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS OF USE AND DEALER, WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING "ISSUE" CANNOT LOCATE SOURCE OF "ISSUE." THE NOISE PROBLEM IS SO BAD THAT WE CANNOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR HIGHWAY USE! *AK
Seat belts, Feb 14, 2004
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER ARMADA. WHILE CLEANING OUT MY VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLT WAS STICKING OUT ABOUT A INCH BEYOND WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO.. UPON CLOSER OBSERVATION I NOTICED THAT THE BOLT HAD BEEN DRIVEN IN CROSS-THREADED THEN BACKED OUT AND LEFT THAT WAY. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANY VEHICLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT SO YOU COULD BEGIN TRACKING THIS, IN CASE THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE. I AM ALSO CURIOUS IF WHEN REPAIRED AT THE DEALER LEVEL, WILL THE FRAME AREA SURROUNDING WHERE THIS BOLT SECURES INTO EVER BE AS STRONG AS IS SHOULD? THANKS.*AK
Air bags, Jan 27, 2004
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2004
FLUTTERING WIND NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE NOISE STARTS OUT AT 40 MPH AND GRADUALLY INCREASES TO A HIGHER DECIBEL RANGE WHEN SPEEDING UP TO 70 MPH. ALL THE WINDOWS ARE WIND UP BUT THIS STRANGE WIND NOISE CANNOT BE LOCATED. THE NOISE IS FLAPPING SO LOUD AT 70 MPH THAT IT HURTS MY FAMILY'S EARS. DEALER STATED IT'S AN ENGINEERING ISSUE AND IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I'VE CONTACTED CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT THEY'RE SAYING THERE' S NO OTHER REPORT BESIDE MYSELF SO THEY'RE NOT TAKING ACTION. I NEED HELP AT THIS POINT- WHERE DO I GO OR WHAT DO I DO??? *JB
Visibility, Jan 27, 2004
2004 NISSAN ARMADA: SUBJECT:AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. BROUGHT TO THE MARKET YEARS AGO, THEY HAVE UNTIL NOW WORKED IN AUTOMATIC MODE FOR THE "ROLL DOWN" OF WINDOWS (MAINLY DRIVERS WINDOW). THE NEW ARMADA ALLOWS FOR "ROLL-UP" OF WINDOWS IN THE AUTOMATIC MODE ALSO. AS I WORK IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY I CAN RECALL THIS OPTION COMING TO MARKET AND DISCUSSING THE DANGERS TO SMALL CHILDREN WHO WOULD ACCIDENTALLY ROLL UP A WINDOW ON LIMBS AND NECK. IT SHOULD BE SELF EVIDENT. NISSAN NEEDS TO DISCONTINUE IF NOT RECALL. THERE CAN ONLY BE INJURIES, DEATH AND LAWSUITS GAINED FROM THIS VEHICLE OPTION. *JB