2004 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 67 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% 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 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“i made appointments at 2 different Nissan dealers and contacted Nissan corporate about my airbag recall. Dealers were neither able or willing to obtain parts Walzer Nissan, Coon Rapids MN and Miller Nissan, St Cloud Mn. Ive received several notices about the recall but im told Nissan is not obligated to fix the problem, just notify me”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2024
“I do not have an actual incident to report, but just trying to find out how you can get all these letters and calls from 3rd party companies to STOP! I have contacted my dealership and have entered my VIN on the NHTSA.gov/recalls site and there are no active recalls on my vehicle. I get letters almost weekly and the last one is designed to look like it actually is from my State of GA Motor Vehicle Division. I also receive calls on my home and cell phone. These companies need to be fined or something. If they are not legit, then how can they use all the insignias of State of GA and NHTSA and Nissan? What can someone do?”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2022
“My shifter keeps getting locked 8n the park position. I have replaced the shifter solenoid but it did it again in a week..”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan pathfinder. While adding fuel in the tank, the fuel would leak out before the tank was full. The contact stated that the failure occurred for the past two years every time the vehicle was fueled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2018
“Takata recall: I brought the vehicle new, and around the 4th year, I started to notice that the brake light would come on. The first few repairs the brakes pads changed, line, cylinder, and full brake replacement:, but the issue persisted over the years without any mechanic that could provide me with an explanation of this problem. My main reason for writing this is because of the inherent danger of this brake issue. This problem has occurred while I was driving at highway speeds. Talking to other owners in social media groups this brake issue seems to be an issue with the pathfinder armada/titan models. This is a danger, please investigate.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2018
“My vehicle was mostly in the state of ny (salt belt state) from 2004 until 2015. (11 years) it's now in va. The undercarriage is rusted beyond a normal amount. The exhaust especially holes are in piping from the catalytic converter to the tailpipe. The care is leaking fuel from the metal filler tube to the gas tank! My local nissan dealership refused to address these serious issues and inferior metal piping problems. I'm scared the vehicle will blow up.it's dangerous.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2018
“I bought the truck january 4th this year wheni checked trannmission fluid wasn't on stick. So I added 6 ounces feb 15th and next day or 2 started slipping had it flushed 500 worth still shot. This was 2nd time tyranny. Had been serviced. Nissan you know it's faulty radiators I mean 124.000 miles wasn't nothing for a nissan years ago I guess that's changed. Very discouraged never own another 1.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2017
“Engine stopped running while driving. Turned the tank was out of gas with fuel gauge showing right at quarter mark full. The gauge seem to show full when filled up but for the last three times it shows a quarter tank left while I am able to pump in over 18 gallons of fuel.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan pathfinder. When the vehicle was started, the ABS and vehicle dynamic control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2016
“Takata recall so yesterday while driving on the highway us 31 and it was raining I lost all functions of my brakes with my 3 year old daughter in the vehicle. This was the scariest experience ever I thought we were going to die. After coming to a complete stop and makeing a few phone calls I was advised to turn the vehicle off and turn it back on the brake light went off and brake functions started working properly. Really considering getting rid of my truck after this incident. We could have died.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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 2004 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
NHTSA has 67 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Pathfinder problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 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.