NISSAN PATHFINDER · model year

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER

214 NHTSA complaints, 24 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996NISSANPATHFINDER carries 214 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 24 crashes, 0 fires, 44 injuries, and 3 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 1996 PATHFINDER is suspension with 30 filings, followed by suspension:rear (22) and steering (13). 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 1996 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.

214
Complaints
24
Crashes
0
Fires
44
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

214 filings

Crashes Reported

24 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION30
SUSPENSION:REAR22
STEERING13
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP7
TIRES6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6
TIRES:TREAD/BELT6
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
SUSPENSION:FRONT5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM4
STRUCTURE:BODY4

Recent Complaints

20190211STEERING

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.

Mileage: 293,000

20190211SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 293,000

20171228ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20171228STEERING

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

20171228EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

20171030AIR BAGS

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

20150921SUSPENSION

ON A LONG ROAD TRIP FROM INDIANA TO NORTH CAROLINA, THE REAR-END OF MY VEHICLE BEGAN SWAYING OR ROCKING FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AS I WAS GOING 60 MPH OR MORE AND WHENEVER I CHANGED LANES. IT FELT VERY UNSTABLE, AS THOUGH IT MAY ROLLOVER. UPON MY RETURN HOME, I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE SWAY BAR, THE SHOCKS AND MAYBE THE TIRES. I REPLACED &/OR REPAIRED EVERYTHING. IT SEEMED OK UNTIL MY RECENT ROAD TRIP FROM INDIANA TO MISSOURI WHEN THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED WITH THE REAR-END SWAYING MORE THIS TIME BUT USUALLY ONLY UPON DECELERATION. I NOW NOTICE IT DURING CITY DRIVING WHICH I WASN'T SURE ABOUT BEFORE DUE TO ALL THE POTHOLES AND BUMPS IN THE STREETS. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL REPORTING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS EVEN A 1998 SERVICE BULLETIN POSTED BY A NISSAN DEALER ON HOW TO FIX THIS "FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION EXCESSIVE PLAY" PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THIS MUST BE A MANUF

Mileage: 121,000

20150625SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 169,235

20150625STEERING

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.

Mileage: 169,235

20150625ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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.

Mileage: 169,235

20150607STEERING

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.

20150607VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

20150607STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

20150325SUSPENSION

ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME COMPLAINT, YET NOTHING IS DONE FOR THE CONSUMER OF WHAT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE WHEN NEW EVEN THOUGH IT IS DANGEROUS AND MANY CONSUMERS SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM (OR GIVE UP AND PARK THE VEHICLE), OFTEN SPENDING THE MONEY ON THE WRONG FIX BECAUSE THIS INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN TO THEM AND THERE IS, ALMOST UNBELIEVABLY, NO RECALL. DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT SIDE TO SIDE SHAKING AT LESS THAN HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH COULD LEAD TO CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH. REPAIR IS COSTLY AND IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH DEALERSHIPS AND NISSAN BUT NOT NECESSARILY KNOWN BY OTHER AUTO MECHANICS........................................................ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME COMPLAINT: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10695520 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10583582 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10575024 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10523182 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10478531 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10448749 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10429267 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10417692 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10400070 NHTSA I

Mileage: 60,000

20150319SUSPENSION

AS VEHICLE APPROACHED 50MPH IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE FORCING ME TO LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE SHAKING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENING NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT ALSO TO MY FAMILY (WE WERE ON VACATION). SINCE THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION I LOOKED FOR A RECALL. THERE WAS NONE. I DID, HOWEVER, FIND MANY SIMILAR STORIES ON THE INTERNET. THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR SUSPENSION BARS. "VERIFIED REAR SUSPENSION LINKS WERE BAD, BUSHINGS TORE-REPLACED ALL 4 BARS" MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS 60,687. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT USED OFF-ROAD. THE REPAIR COST ME $740.20 MOSTLY IT IS JUST SHOCKING THAT SUCH A DANGEROUS CONDITION IS NOT A RECALL. THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONCE IT'S SPEED EXCEEDED 50MPH. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED OVER HAD I ATTEMPTED TO GO FASTER RATHER THAN LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE AND KEEP IT WELL MAINTAINED

Mileage: 60,687

20150319STEERING

AS VEHICLE APPROACHED 50MPH IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE FORCING ME TO LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE SHAKING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENING NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT ALSO TO MY FAMILY (WE WERE ON VACATION). SINCE THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION I LOOKED FOR A RECALL. THERE WAS NONE. I DID, HOWEVER, FIND MANY SIMILAR STORIES ON THE INTERNET. THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR SUSPENSION BARS. "VERIFIED REAR SUSPENSION LINKS WERE BAD, BUSHINGS TORE-REPLACED ALL 4 BARS" MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS 60,687. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT USED OFF-ROAD. THE REPAIR COST ME $740.20 MOSTLY IT IS JUST SHOCKING THAT SUCH A DANGEROUS CONDITION IS NOT A RECALL. THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONCE IT'S SPEED EXCEEDED 50MPH. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED OVER HAD I ATTEMPTED TO GO FASTER RATHER THAN LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE AND KEEP IT WELL MAINTAINED

Mileage: 60,687

20140418SUSPENSION

THE NISSAN PATHFINDER I DRIVE SWAYS VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT VARYING SPEEDS. THIS SEEMS TO STEM FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SEEMS AS IF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL FLIP OVER AT ANY MOMENT IF UNCONTROLLED. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR OR SPEED UP A BIT. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NOT A MENTION WAS MADE OF THE VIOLENT ROLL. I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL, BUT NOW WILL NOT LET HIM UNTIL REPAIRS ARE DONE. AFTER COMPLETING AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE NISSAN TO MY MECHANIC BUT WILL SHORTLY AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. I HOPE THE REPAIRS THAT ARE SUGGESTED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE WORK ALTHOUGH NONE HAVE INDICATED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. *TR

Mileage: 210,000

20140326SUSPENSION

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2009, AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY START TO WOBBLE AT 60 MPH SO WE TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION THEY TOLD US IT NEEDED ALIGNMENT SO WE HAD IT DONE. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN AND NOW AT JUST 30 MPH SO WE TOOK IN AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY DID TIRES AND BALANCING BUT IT IS JUST GETTING WORSE.I FEEL LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE WHEN IT STARTS TO WOBBLE AND LIKE MY TIRES ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE THAT CAR SO MUCH ANY MORE SPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTERS WITH ME. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK YOU MAY HAVE CONCERNING THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING WITH MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 THANK YOU *TR

20140326WHEELS

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2009, AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY START TO WOBBLE AT 60 MPH SO WE TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION THEY TOLD US IT NEEDED ALIGNMENT SO WE HAD IT DONE. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN AND NOW AT JUST 30 MPH SO WE TOOK IN AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY DID TIRES AND BALANCING BUT IT IS JUST GETTING WORSE.I FEEL LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE WHEN IT STARTS TO WOBBLE AND LIKE MY TIRES ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE THAT CAR SO MUCH ANY MORE SPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTERS WITH ME. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK YOU MAY HAVE CONCERNING THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING WITH MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 THANK YOU *TR

20140326STEERING

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2009, AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY START TO WOBBLE AT 60 MPH SO WE TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION THEY TOLD US IT NEEDED ALIGNMENT SO WE HAD IT DONE. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN AND NOW AT JUST 30 MPH SO WE TOOK IN AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY DID TIRES AND BALANCING BUT IT IS JUST GETTING WORSE.I FEEL LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE WHEN IT STARTS TO WOBBLE AND LIKE MY TIRES ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE THAT CAR SO MUCH ANY MORE SPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTERS WITH ME. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK YOU MAY HAVE CONCERNING THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING WITH MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 THANK YOU *TR

Compare 1996NISSANPATHFINDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
The 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 214 NHTSA complaints, 24 crashes, 0 fires, 44 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The most-complained component for the 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER is SUSPENSION with 30 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:REAR and STEERING.
Is the 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.