2003 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 110 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated there was corrosion on the passenger's side front struts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined the repair under Manufacturer Campaign ID: R1107 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The driver's side front struts were repaired prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the mileage requirements were not met. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2025
“Nissan is claiming that NHTSA campaign number: 11v244000 was already addressed on my vehicle. I took my car into the dealership several years ago for a recall but they never fixed this recall because they were too busy. When I call nissan right now they are claiming it was fixed already. This was never fixed and my vehicle is exhibiting the exact issues outlined in the recall. My VIN# [xxx]. I am requesting nissan to fix this issue per the recall. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2020
“Fuel gauge is not reading correctly repeatedly have to top off my tank that costs me more money than it should to get back and forth to work because I ran out of gas and it costed me $200 to figure out that I need something done about the gas gauge there's so many complaints about this why has it nissan done something about it they should not be able to just let this problem go on and stick the customers that pay thousands of dollars for the vehicles. I was going down the highway after being at the hospital all night with my mother-in-law and me and my wife had to walk several miles just to get cell service to get picked up and my car towed.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“The gas gauge stopped working a few months ago. Had an appointment to have the fuel sensor replaced. The fuel sensor is fine. The mechanic said it was most likely the gauge. In researching over the past several months, this appears to be a huge problem with the 2003 Pathfinder. This should be recalled. I'm not sure why it it isn't since it is a wide spread issue.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that both mufflers were rusted out. While the vehicle was in reverse, the rear muffler and rear tail pipe were detached due to the rust. In addition, fluid was leaking from the front passenger side of the vehicle to the rear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
“My nissan pathfinders air bag dash light is flashing. I have had it reset and it starts flashing again after a few hours of operation.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“At speeds over 50 mph the car begins to wobble, have been told this is a common problem involing faulty trailing arm bushing/ rear arm bushing and bearing need to be replaced causing what is coommonly known as the death wobble. But lets up when you let up off the gas? To me this a major safety issue! That many have had this problem, that I have found on on line forums.. Why hasn't nissan recalled this issue?”Owner report · Suspension · May 2019
“I was sent to post cards at different times to fix the recall one was after thanksgiving about the 28th of november 2018 I went out there they failed to fix the problem they didn't have the parts or the mechanic wasn't available so they sent another postcard saying call back the parts are available now I go there which today december 23rd and she's telling me there's no mechanic people have played games with me I work I don't have time to keep running back and forth if they're not going to fix the car please send me to a nissan that will fix this recall problem if I get in an accident and something happens to me I'm going to sue major big.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan pathfinder. The contact called to inquire about NHTSA campaign number: 11v244000 (steering, suspension). The previous owner had the recall repaired at martin nissan (5240 golf rd, skokie, il 60077, (866) 800-1100) and they stated that the recall repair was only performed on the driver's side of the frame. The contact stated that the failure was currently on the passenger side of the frame. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2018
“We were driving our pathfinder home in the winter the ecsessive amount of salt on the road caused our main water flow to corrode and stall the engine and caused the radiators thermostat to break and the car overheated.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 2003 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
NHTSA has 110 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Pathfinder problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 102,916 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. 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.