1996 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 159 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (34% of complaints); the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan pathfinder. While the vehicle was being inspected at the dmv, the mechanic informed the contact that the rear strut was rusting. In addition, the contact stated that the steering made an abnormal popping noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but they were unsure how to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist due to the age of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 293,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2018
“Car has many after market parts which are old and rusted which causes the entire vehicle to break down even after replacing many parts also when searching gor parts its hard to find I have to get parts for a 1997 nissan pathfinder when my vehicle is a 1996 nissan pathfinder”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2017
“I tried to make contact with the nissan dealer and after finding my vehicle return a positive airbag recall on airbagrecall.com. The local deal said it is not listed in their system and did not offer to look into it any further. I told them they could look it up on an internet based system to see what I was seeing but they declined. Wilson motor company wilson nissan 328 north main street, logan (435) 752-7355”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“I bought this car a couple years ago and couldn't drive it right away because I bought it a little before I got my license. So eventually when I got it on the road I ended up getting a rejection sticker because the e break and a few other reasons. One thing I've noticed about my s.u.v is the wind shield wipers work when they want to. The whole underneath is rotted out, (that's what the guy told me who inspected my car) an ever since I've had it, I've had a problem with my steering, I've tried the power steering fluid didn't work. I'm not positive that there was a recall, but I was refered to this so I'm trying to see what I can do if I can do anything.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced, it was found that the front suspension housing and struts were severely corroded. The contact also stated the steering wheel shook while driving at 50 mph. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer informed the contact that NHTSA campaign number 11v244000 (steering, suspension) was previously performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 138,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it discovered that the frame was rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000 and the approximate current mileage was 164,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2013
“While driving at highway speeds of 65 mph vehicle went into violent body rolling and shimmy causing driver to almost loose control. Body was rolling severely, as if steering wheel was being rocked back and forth, however steering wheel was steady. Unable to stop body roll until brakes applied. Unable to identify any damage at time if event, but happened several more times during trip. Upon detailed inspection, rear tires showed severe scuffing on outside of tires and it is suspected that there is an issue with rear axle links based on some internet research. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2011
“Whenever I reach an excess speed of 40+ and take my foot off the gas the car rocks back and forth uncontrollable. I am a mother of four and the is a very terrifying experience for both me and my children.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2011
“1996 nissan pathfinder has inherent rear suspension problem. Thousands of these vehicles sway uncontrollably from the rear without any action by the driver. The problem is poor design by the manufacturer resulting in a very dangerous and sometimes uncontrollable driving situation. Nissan should recall these vehicles. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2010
“My 1996 nissan pathfinder se has a terrible wobble, swaying motion ( left to right) that resembles that of rocking a boat. I had the shocks replaced, new tires, ect., but it still exist when you get up to about 60 mph. I have almost had some serious accidents and eventually, I am sure it will happen. I have a friend who has the same problem. I am completely baffled and do not know what the problem is. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 32 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE CARPET PADDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL, THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL COULD CATCH A DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CARPET PADDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL ADJACENT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
DUE TO THE TYPE OF LUBRICANT USED IN THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY, THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (LESS THAN -30 C) COULD INCREASE TO THE POINT WHERE SOME DRIVERS WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE REPLACING THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY HAVING DIFFERENT LUBRICANT.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Pathfinder by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
NHTSA has 159 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. The most complained-about area is suspension (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Nissan Pathfinder problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 123,183 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.