Total Complaints
194 filings
NISSAN PATHFINDER · model year
194 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998NISSANPATHFINDER carries 194 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 31 crashes, 1 fire, 41 injuries, and 4 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 1998 PATHFINDER is suspension with 20 filings, followed by suspension:rear (17) and power train:automatic transmission (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 1998 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
194 filings
Crashes Reported
31 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 20 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 17 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 13 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 11 |
| TIRES | 10 |
| STEERING | 9 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 8 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 6 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 6 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
OUR 1998 PATHFINDER HAS WHAT IS DESCRIBED BY MANY PEOPLE AS A "DEATH WOBBLE." IT BEGAN AFTER WE BOUGHT IT IN 2003 AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. IT HAPPENED AS RECENTLY AS 2017 AND I AM BEGINNING TO BE AFRAID TO RIDE IN IT. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IT GRADUALLY GETS WORSE. REDUCING YOUR SPEED DOES HELP. IT APPEARS TO BEGIN BECAUSE OF A SMALL, UNEVEN PLACE IN THE HIGHWAY ROAD, BUT THEN DOESN'T STOP SHAKING BACK AND FORTH, SIDE TO SIDE. IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER HAVING IT SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. EACH TIME WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BE REPAIRED THE SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM CALLLING IT A "DEATH WOBBLE" AND REPLACE THE STRUTS AND OTHER AFFECTED PARTS. IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE. WE'VE DONE THIS 2-3 TIMES BUT AFTER A COUPLE YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP OWNERS OF THE NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH THIS DEFECT? IT'S EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND TERRIFIES BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. PLEASE SEARCH ONLINE: 1998
Mileage: 85,000
OUR 1998 PATHFINDER HAS WHAT IS DESCRIBED BY MANY PEOPLE AS A "DEATH WOBBLE." IT BEGAN AFTER WE BOUGHT IT IN 2003 AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. IT HAPPENED AS RECENTLY AS 2017 AND I AM BEGINNING TO BE AFRAID TO RIDE IN IT. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IT GRADUALLY GETS WORSE. REDUCING YOUR SPEED DOES HELP. IT APPEARS TO BEGIN BECAUSE OF A SMALL, UNEVEN PLACE IN THE HIGHWAY ROAD, BUT THEN DOESN'T STOP SHAKING BACK AND FORTH, SIDE TO SIDE. IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY EVEN AFTER HAVING IT SUPPOSEDLY FIXED. EACH TIME WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BE REPAIRED THE SERVICE PERSONNEL ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM CALLLING IT A "DEATH WOBBLE" AND REPLACE THE STRUTS AND OTHER AFFECTED PARTS. IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE. WE'VE DONE THIS 2-3 TIMES BUT AFTER A COUPLE YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP OWNERS OF THE NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH THIS DEFECT? IT'S EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND TERRIFIES BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. PLEASE SEARCH ONLINE: 1998
Mileage: 85,000
I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO ALMOST BE COMPLETLY GONE FROM RUSTING OUT. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT. SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE. IM CALLING CORPORATE IN THE MORNING. HOPEFULLY THEY DONT TRY TO BEAT AROUND BUSH WITH ME LIKE THEY DO TO ALL THERE CUSTOMERS THEY DO WRONG.
I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO ALMOST BE COMPLETLY GONE FROM RUSTING OUT. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT. SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE. IM CALLING CORPORATE IN THE MORNING. HOPEFULLY THEY DONT TRY TO BEAT AROUND BUSH WITH ME LIKE THEY DO TO ALL THERE CUSTOMERS THEY DO WRONG.
I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO ALMOST BE COMPLETLY GONE FROM RUSTING OUT. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT. SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE. IM CALLING CORPORATE IN THE MORNING. HOPEFULLY THEY DONT TRY TO BEAT AROUND BUSH WITH ME LIKE THEY DO TO ALL THERE CUSTOMERS THEY DO WRONG.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED DURING A RAINSTORM, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON IMPACT, THE CONTACT AND HER DAUGHTER STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND GLASS WAS INSERTED INTO THE PASSENGER'S HEAD. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PARTIALLY, IN A BALLOON-LIKE FASHION, AND THE POWDER FROM THE AIR BAG ENTERED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TEMPORARILY BLINDED AND SUFFERED NECK PAIN FROM THE IMPACT OF THE WINDSHIELD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR BOTH OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION IN ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 3,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH OR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,548.
Mileage: 176,548
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH OR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,548.
Mileage: 176,548
WE OWN A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE . THE ORDER OF GASOLINE WAS SO STRONG IT FILLED THE FIRST FLOOR OF MY HOME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. HE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL OF FUEL MY RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE FILLER TUBE HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MILEAGE IS 153K.
Mileage: 153,600
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE UNI-BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
Mileage: 176,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
WE OWN A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND FOR SOME REASON WE HAVE LOST OUR REVERSE BUT STILL HAVE OUR PARK, NEUTRAL AND DRIVE, AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT COULD BE THE CLUTCH PACK THAT NEEDS REPLACED BUT THEN AFTER TALKING TO THE MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED IT FOR US HE SAID THAT HE THOUGHT WE MIGHT BE LOOKING AT A NEW TRANSMISSION. IS THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS REASON FOR THIS TRUCK?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN
Mileage: 200,000
DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND SUV STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE SEVERELY..I HAD TO BRAKE FAST ..THEN WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOBBLED WORSE...I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL...COULD NOT GO OVER 30...VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY...I LOOKED IT UP ON FORUMS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM....EVERYBODY THAT OWNS THEM HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE AT ALL DIFFERENT MILEAGES..THEY REFER TO IT AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ONLINE...MILLIONS OF VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM FAULTY BUSHINGS AND TRAILING ARMS....YET THEY "NISSAN" REFUSE TO RECALL OR PAY TO FIX IT...HERE IS "NISSANS" BULLETIN I FOUND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE....THEY SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL...I HOPE THAT THIS GETS SOME ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION: RA97-002 REFERENCE: NTB98-001 DATE: APRIL 1, 1998 PATHFINDER VEHICLE PULL AND FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION EXCESSIVE PLAY APPLIED VEHICLE: 1996-98 PATHFINDER (R50) APPLIED VIN: VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE JN8AR05Y*WW25
Mileage: 150,000
DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND SUV STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE SEVERELY..I HAD TO BRAKE FAST ..THEN WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOBBLED WORSE...I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL...COULD NOT GO OVER 30...VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY...I LOOKED IT UP ON FORUMS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM....EVERYBODY THAT OWNS THEM HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE AT ALL DIFFERENT MILEAGES..THEY REFER TO IT AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ONLINE...MILLIONS OF VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM FAULTY BUSHINGS AND TRAILING ARMS....YET THEY "NISSAN" REFUSE TO RECALL OR PAY TO FIX IT...HERE IS "NISSANS" BULLETIN I FOUND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE....THEY SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL...I HOPE THAT THIS GETS SOME ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION: RA97-002 REFERENCE: NTB98-001 DATE: APRIL 1, 1998 PATHFINDER VEHICLE PULL AND FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION EXCESSIVE PLAY APPLIED VEHICLE: 1996-98 PATHFINDER (R50) APPLIED VIN: VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE JN8AR05Y*WW25
Mileage: 150,000
DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND SUV STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE SEVERELY..I HAD TO BRAKE FAST ..THEN WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOBBLED WORSE...I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL...COULD NOT GO OVER 30...VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY...I LOOKED IT UP ON FORUMS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM....EVERYBODY THAT OWNS THEM HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE AT ALL DIFFERENT MILEAGES..THEY REFER TO IT AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ONLINE...MILLIONS OF VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM FAULTY BUSHINGS AND TRAILING ARMS....YET THEY "NISSAN" REFUSE TO RECALL OR PAY TO FIX IT...HERE IS "NISSANS" BULLETIN I FOUND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE....THEY SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL...I HOPE THAT THIS GETS SOME ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION: RA97-002 REFERENCE: NTB98-001 DATE: APRIL 1, 1998 PATHFINDER VEHICLE PULL AND FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION EXCESSIVE PLAY APPLIED VEHICLE: 1996-98 PATHFINDER (R50) APPLIED VIN: VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE JN8AR05Y*WW25
Mileage: 150,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT BLACKED OUT AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR FACIAL INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED LEFT EYE INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED ONGOING MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Mileage: 114,000
1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUSPENSION RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE HIT A POTHOLE, THE WOULD ROCK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL, WHICH WAS RECTIFIED ON SEPT 23, 2011. THE BEARINGS, TIRES, AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 05/04/15. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 10/10/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRUT CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER BOTH STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/31/2015 *JS
Mileage: 72,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 10/10/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRUT CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER BOTH STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/31/2015 *JS
Mileage: 72,000
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.