NISSAN PATHFINDER · model year

2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER

86 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004NISSANPATHFINDER carries 86 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 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 2004 PATHFINDER is air bags with 9 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (6) and power train (6). 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. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 2004 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.

86
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

86 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR6
POWER TRAIN6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
ENGINE4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
SUSPENSION3
SERVICE BRAKES3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2

Recalls (7)

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

06E02600023/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 D

11V24400020/04/2011

STEERING:COLUMN

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,

15V28700015/05/2015

AIR BAGS

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 caus

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

20V00800009/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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

07E04600003/07/2007

EQUIPMENT

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,

Recent Complaints

20240910TIRES

On October 23 2023 I purchased from Firestone where I have been a customer for some 30 years paying nearly $1000 for 4 tires. 1) On January 6, 2024 the first tire on the front driver"s side had picked up a nail GEICO road hadzard came and removed the tire. Firestone said they could not repair the tire and replaced it with another SureDrive new tire and charged me $55 plus dollars to replace. 2) On March 14, 2024 the 2nd tire on the rear passenger side picked up another nail GEICO came again and removed the tire that one was patched for free. 3) Then on May 2, 2024 the front passenger side with a slash and could not be repaired so it was replaced with a new tire and charges me some $25. 4) Then on July 24, 2024 the rear driver side and that tire had picked up a nail and by then I had started carrying an air pump in case of a flat and I would not have to wait for Roadside Service. So that time I left the nail in the tire and covered it with heavy piece of duct tape. Then attached th

20240610AIR BAGS

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

20230829TIRES:TREAD/BELT

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Dueler H/L Alenza, Tire Size: 255/65/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle was swaying from side to side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side tread belt had shifted, causing the vehicle to sway while driving. The tire was a replacement tire. The tire was replaced; however, the failure recurred intermittently. No further repairs were completed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 32,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 195,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Mileage: 195,000

20220628UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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?

20211210CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned 2004 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle crashed into the rear driver’s side of the vehicle. The driver’s side front and rear curtain air bags deployed and ruptured, projecting fragments, but was not struck by any fragments from the deployment. The contact sustained hearing loss from the decibel level of the air bag deployment inside the vehicle but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was deemed a total loss. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V008000 (Air Bags). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.

Mileage: 41,000

20201030POWER TRAIN

MY SHIFTER KEEPS GETTING LOCKED 8N THE PARK POSITION. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHIFTER SOLENOID BUT IT DID IT AGAIN IN A WEEK..

Mileage: 218,718

20200801AIR BAGS

I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF RECALL, ON 2014. I GOT TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THEY TELL ME THEY WILL COLLING BACK WHEN THE PART ARRIVED TO THE CENTER BUT THEY DONT.

20190124ENGINE

DRIVING AT 25 TO 50 MPH THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD RHYTHMICALLY. CAUSING NEAR COLLISIONS WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF IT.

Mileage: 142,000

20190124VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING AT 25 TO 50 MPH THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD RHYTHMICALLY. CAUSING NEAR COLLISIONS WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF IT.

Mileage: 142,000

20180828FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 130,000

20180808SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 35,000

20180729STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SENDING UNIT THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A WARNING THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND SAW THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE 2005 AND OLDER MODELS OF PATHFINDERS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL NISSAN. LEARNED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WASN'T WORKING WHEN MY CAR STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO MY CAR HAVING RUN OUT OF GAS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NO WARNING. NOTHING. IF THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING IS A PROBLEM WITH 2005 AND OLDER MODELS OF NISSAN WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THE 2004 IF THIS IS ALSO AN ISSUE FOR THE 2004 MODEL? I TOOK MY CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER REGARDING THE FUEL GAUGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS DISCONTINUED. HOW WOULD I FIX THIS IF THE PART DOESN'T EXISTS? IF THIS IS AN ISSUE IN THE 2004 NISSAN, WHY NOT RECALL THIS PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM? THIS COULD HAVE AN

Mileage: 117,000

20180729FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SENDING UNIT THINKING THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I NEVER RECEIVED A WARNING THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS AND SAW THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE 2005 AND OLDER MODELS OF PATHFINDERS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL NISSAN. LEARNED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WASN'T WORKING WHEN MY CAR STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO MY CAR HAVING RUN OUT OF GAS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. NO WARNING. NOTHING. IF THE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING IS A PROBLEM WITH 2005 AND OLDER MODELS OF NISSAN WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THE 2004 IF THIS IS ALSO AN ISSUE FOR THE 2004 MODEL? I TOOK MY CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER REGARDING THE FUEL GAUGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS DISCONTINUED. HOW WOULD I FIX THIS IF THE PART DOESN'T EXISTS? IF THIS IS AN ISSUE IN THE 2004 NISSAN, WHY NOT RECALL THIS PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM? THIS COULD HAVE AN

Mileage: 117,000

20180220AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL FOR AIRBAGS ON 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 AND WAS NOT ADVISED OF THE RECALL ISSUED MAY 14, 2015 AT TIME OF PURCHASE. IN DECEMBER OF 2017 I WAS WAITING TO PULL OUT ONTO LONG POND RD AND AS I STARTED TO PULL OUT MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING ME TO SWERVE AND SLAM MY DRIVER TAIL LIGHT SIDE INTO A MOUND CAUSING TAIL LIGHT TO BUST AND DENT IN SIDE PANEL AT TAIL LIGHT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALLS OR ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER. ALL I WANT IS MY AIR BAGS REPLACED AND THE TAIL LIGHT FIXED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO SET THE AIR BAGS OFF AS I WAS CLEARLY STOPPED AND HAD JUST PULLED ONTO STREET. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF MY YOUNG AGE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. I WAS 20 WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT IS MY FIRST VEHICLE PURCHASE EVER.

20180220STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL FOR AIRBAGS ON 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 AND WAS NOT ADVISED OF THE RECALL ISSUED MAY 14, 2015 AT TIME OF PURCHASE. IN DECEMBER OF 2017 I WAS WAITING TO PULL OUT ONTO LONG POND RD AND AS I STARTED TO PULL OUT MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING ME TO SWERVE AND SLAM MY DRIVER TAIL LIGHT SIDE INTO A MOUND CAUSING TAIL LIGHT TO BUST AND DENT IN SIDE PANEL AT TAIL LIGHT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALLS OR ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER. ALL I WANT IS MY AIR BAGS REPLACED AND THE TAIL LIGHT FIXED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO SET THE AIR BAGS OFF AS I WAS CLEARLY STOPPED AND HAD JUST PULLED ONTO STREET. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF MY YOUNG AGE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. I WAS 20 WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT IS MY FIRST VEHICLE PURCHASE EVER.

20180220SEAT BELTS

TAKATA RECALL FOR AIRBAGS ON 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017 AND WAS NOT ADVISED OF THE RECALL ISSUED MAY 14, 2015 AT TIME OF PURCHASE. IN DECEMBER OF 2017 I WAS WAITING TO PULL OUT ONTO LONG POND RD AND AS I STARTED TO PULL OUT MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING ME TO SWERVE AND SLAM MY DRIVER TAIL LIGHT SIDE INTO A MOUND CAUSING TAIL LIGHT TO BUST AND DENT IN SIDE PANEL AT TAIL LIGHT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALLS OR ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER. ALL I WANT IS MY AIR BAGS REPLACED AND THE TAIL LIGHT FIXED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO SET THE AIR BAGS OFF AS I WAS CLEARLY STOPPED AND HAD JUST PULLED ONTO STREET. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF MY YOUNG AGE NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. I WAS 20 WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT IS MY FIRST VEHICLE PURCHASE EVER.

20180201ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 134,440

20180201FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 134,440

20171221AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT IS FLASHING

20171221SUSPENSION

AIR BAG LIGHT IS FLASHING

Compare 2004NISSANPATHFINDER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER have?
The 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 86 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
Yes, the 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER?
The most-complained component for the 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER is AIR BAGS with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2004 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.