Total Complaints
38 filings
NISSAN PATHFINDER · model year
38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1992NISSANPATHFINDER carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 PATHFINDER is power train:automatic transmission with 7 filings, followed by tires (5) and engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 1992 PATHFINDER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
38 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 7 |
| TIRES | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 4 |
| STRUCTURE | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER EQUIPPED WITH SIGMA STAMPEDE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEPARATED ALONG THE SIDEWALL WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE FUEL HOSES WERE FRACTURED AND LEAKING FUEL. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HELPED RECONNECT THE FUEL HOSES AND INSTALLED A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE WAS 19,505. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ
Mileage: 115,680
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A FUEL LEAK AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME RAIL WAS RUSTED AND THERE WERE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,581.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A FUEL LEAK AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME RAIL WAS RUSTED AND THERE WERE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,581.
1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS IGNITED SPONTANEOUSLY. FIRE DEPARTMENT OPENED CAR AND EXTINGUISHED BLAZED. OBSERVED MELTED DASH BOARD BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND DETERMINED THAT CAUSE WAS ELECTRICAL. CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND FOUND THAT ENGINE WAS INTACT. DISCONNECTED CAR BATTERY. *JB
Mileage: 150,000
NAR 03/03/2003. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS A CALIFORNIA SMOG TEST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *JB
1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS PROBLEMS WITH REAR SUSPENSION FRAME.*MR WHEN TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER BUY A NEW CAR BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS BROKEN, BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE NO ONE EVER MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME BEING RUSTED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM DURING MAINTENANCE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME MEMBERS WHICH ANCHORED THE UPPER LINKS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TO THE LADDER FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND/OR BROKE FREE FROM WHERE THEY WERE WELDED TO THE MAIN FRAME. *CB *JB
Mileage: 131,715
IN ORDER FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE TO DISENGAGE THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A TURN CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED ALL IS NORMAL. TS
Mileage: 5,100
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE MEDIAN, THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED IN THE MEDIAN AND THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS INJURED (GEORGIA UNIFORM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, 31X10.5R15LT, FIREHAWK ATX M/S, VD60AXC295, RIGHT REAR). NLM
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE MEDIAN, THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED IN THE MEDIAN AND THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS INJURED (GEORGIA UNIFORM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, 31X10.5R15LT, FIREHAWK ATX M/S, VD60AXC295, RIGHT REAR). NLM
TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY 11/99. REPLACED AT DEALER W/REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN 11/01 AND MUST BE REPLACED. *AK
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE MEDIAN, THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED IN THE MEDIAN AND THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS INJURED (GEORGIA UNIFORM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, 31X10.5R15LT, FIREHAWK ATX M/S, VD60AXC295, RIGHT REAR). NLM
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE MEDIAN, THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED IN THE MEDIAN AND THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS INJURED (GEORGIA UNIFORM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, 31X10.5R15LT, FIREHAWK ATX M/S, VD60AXC295, RIGHT REAR). NLM
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE MEDIAN, THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED IN THE MEDIAN AND THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS INJURED (GEORGIA UNIFORM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, 31X10.5R15LT, FIREHAWK ATX M/S, VD60AXC295, RIGHT REAR). NLM
THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE MEDIAN, THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED IN THE MEDIAN AND THEN RE-ENTERED THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS INJURED (GEORGIA UNIFORM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, 31X10.5R15LT, FIREHAWK ATX M/S, VD60AXC295, RIGHT REAR). NLM
WHILE CLEANING VEHICLE INTERIOR ON 10/07/2001, I LIFTED THE REAR SEATS UP TO CLEAN UNDER THEM. SOME TIRE CHANGING EQUIPMENT AND A VINYL TOOL BAG ARE STORED, AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, UNDER THE LEFT REAR SEAT. I LIFTED THE VINYL BAG TO CLEAN UNDER IT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOOR WAS RUSTED THROUGH UNDER THE BAG (OVER 6 INCHES) AND EXPOSING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TO EXHAUST FUMES AND THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I WOULD NEVER HAVE DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEN IF I HAD NOT LIFTED THE VINYL TOOL BAG.*AK
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER TO HAVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCING PERFORMED, WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED HOME HE PERFORMED HIS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR (BRIDGESTONE DUAL AT D693 31X10.50 15LT6) TIRES HAD BETWEEN 45 AND 50 PSI BUT THE RECOMMENDED VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S PRESSURE IS 26 PSI CONSUMER RETURNED VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE THEY MUST HAVE OVER INFLATED TIRES, CONSUMER ASKED FOR WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION THAT HIGHER PRESSURES SHOULD BE USED, BECAUSE AS STATED ON THE DOOR PLATE OF VEHICLE JAMB IT SAYS 26 PSI, DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT FIRESTONE HAD BEEN RUNNING ADS ABOUT THE CORRECT PRESSURES FOR THESE TYPES OF VEHICLE'S, HOWEVER DEALER DID CHECKED A FIRESTONE MANUAL WHICH INDICATED THAT TIRE PRESSURE SHOULD BE 26 PSI, CONSUMER INQUIRED AS TO WHY HE WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MECHANIC THEN HANDED HIM A BROCHURE ENTITLED INFLATE ROTATE EVALUATE THAT CLEARLY STATED LOOK FOR THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE LISTED
WHILE PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK, IT SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS, SHIFTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE PARK OR NEUTRAL AND KEY COULD NO BE TURNED, VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO REST AFTER IT HIT A PARKED VEHICLE, 1 PERSON WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
WHILE TRAVELLING FROM ELOY, AZ. TO CALIF. ON AN OUTING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPERATED FROM THE CARCASS. THE TIRE DID NOT LOSE ANY AIR . I CHANGED IT, PUTTING ON THE SPARE (ALSO THE SAME BRAND AND SIZE). ON THE RETURN TRIP, ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DID EXACTLY THE SAME THING. IBORROWED A SPARE FROM A FRIEND AND CONTINUED HOME. I CONTACTED SEARS, BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THE ORIGINAL SALES RECIEPT, WHICH I COULDN'T FIND. I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES AND PUT THE REMAINING 2 ON A SMALL UTILITY TRAILER. I PUT THE SPARE BACK WHERE IT BELONGED, AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE TREAD WAS PEELING AWAY FROM THE CARCASS. THE TIRE WASN'T EVEN BEING USED AND IT SEPERATED. I DON'T KNOW WHO MADE THESE TIRE FOR SEARS. IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, I AM CURIOUS IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR TIRE. IN 1977, WHILE I WAS A POLICE OFFICER, IHAD A TIRE TOTALLY SEPERATE AND BLOW OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF CON
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 20 GOING FROM AUGUSTA, GA TO ATLANTA, GA AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM ON 10-10-1998. MY REAR RIGHT TIRE EVIDENTLY BURST DUE TO DELAMINATION AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. FROM POLICE REPORTS AND EYE WITNESSES, MY SUV THEN FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES ACROSS THE MEDIANAND LANDED IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. I SUSTAINED A SEVER HEAD INJURY AND REQUIRED VENTILATION. I WAS AIRLIFTED TO GRADY HOSPITAL WHERE I WAS PLACED ON A VENTILATOR FOR TWO DAYS. I HAD INCURRED A BASILAR SKULL FRACTURE AND AN EPIDURAL HEMATOMA SECONDARY TO THE CAR WRECK. I "AWOKE" AFTER 24 HOURS AND WAS MAINTAINED IN THE ICU FOR 5 DAYS. I HAVE SINCE RECOVERED BUT MISSED 4 MONTHS OF MEDICAL SCHOOL AND HAVE BEEN DELAYED THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR 2 YEARS. INVESTIGATORS HAVE SAID THAT THE WRECK WAS DUE TO TIRE FAILURE, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO CAREEN OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS VERY, VERY FORTUNATE. THE TIRES WERE NOT FACTORY ISSUE ON THE CAR, BUT WERE PURCHASED LATER FROM NTW TIRE CENTER.( DOT NUMBER: )
EVERYTHING STARTED AFTER A TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE AT 66, 300 MILES LAST APRIL AT A LOCAL GERMAN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 4K MILES, I START TO NOTICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP. I DIDNT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL THEN. I WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE FLUID AND THE FILTER AGAIN, WHICH I DID. AFTER I CHANGED THE TRASNM. FLUID/FILTER AGAIN, THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING AGAIN, UNTIL STOP WORKING AGAIN AFTER DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 300 MILES (NOW HAS 71, 244 MILES). NOW IT DOESNT DO ANYTHING CAN NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE DEALER AND EVERY MECAHNIC I TALK TO TELL ME THAT I NEED TO GET A NEW TRASNMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY MY WIFE JUST TO GO TO WORK AND DO THE GROCERIES AND TO GO ON TRIPS ONCE IN A WHILE. *AK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.