2002 Nissan Pathfinder problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (31) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System (13) · Vehicle Speed Control (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Pathfinder model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
108 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-09 · campaign 20V008000 · 307,962 vehicles
Defect: 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. T
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-02-02 · campaign 17V068000 · 46 vehicles
Defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March, 31, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags 2015-05-15 · campaign 15V287000 · 1,090,569 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front 2011-04-20 · campaign 11V244000 · 195,991 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2010-07-06 · campaign 10V312000 · 46 vehicles
Defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRON
Risk: THE INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE AND PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE FORTY-SIX AFFECTED VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Service bulletins (72)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · ITB09-063C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB13-028I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
removing foreign material from the window glass this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 72 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-03-16 · Suspension“this relates to campaign number 11v244000 we are the original and only owners of the vehicle i originally brought the vehicle in for the recall and they simply sprayed some undercoating in the wheel wells. less than a month later both strut towers separated from the body of the vehicle while my wife was driving home, she lost steering and could hav…”
2024-03-16 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my complaint relates to campaign number 07v435000 we are the original and only owner of this vehicle. while driving the vehicle i started to notice a fuel smell, after several attempts to locate the source, one day i added fuel, i noticed a small puddle in my driveway the following morning. i removed the wheel and the fender well cover to find the …”
2023-05-02 · Suspension · 147,477 mi“the contact owns a 2002 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced at a local dealer under nhtsa campaign number: 11v244000 (steering, suspension); however, the mechanic diagnosed that there was no rust in the strut housing assembly. the contact then stated that when he replaced the front struts, excessive rust w…”
2022-08-09 · Air Bags“the contact's son owned a 2002 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that she received notification of nhtsa recall campaigns and flyers and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. the contact stated that the vehicle was sold. the local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. the vin was not available.…”
2020-03-05 · Unknown Or Other · 118,000 mi“i wrote a letter and filed a complaint about a perforated rust frame on my 2002 nissan pathfinder with 118,000 miles. i had problems with the front end brought to where i purchased 18 years ago to have a recalled performed on the air bag for safety but my rusted frame is not recalled. the smithtown dealership owned by joseph o rubio that i purchas…”
2020-03-03 · Suspension · 118,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated while driving 40 mph, the front passenger's side tire vibrated abnormally. the contact stated that it was difficult to control the vehicle. there was no warning lights illuminated. the contact stated he parked the vehicle on the side of the road for approximately 30 minutes, restart…”
2019-12-27 · Structure:body · 118,000 mi“i brought it to my mechanic we looked at the frame under the cars front end it is clucking there is excessive rust, perforated steel and disconnected from other parts very dangerous. i bought this car new from smithtown nissian in 2002 i am the original owner. i called smithtown nissan they said they have recalls for this but my vin# car is not aff…”
2019-09-19 · Suspension · 165,000 mi“i was driving my 2002 pathfinder to work on monday of this week when i started to feel a slight shaking in my steering wheel and chatter in my brake pedal while driving at 55mph on the highway. after i got off the highway i could barely make a right turn as the steering wheel was very stiff. i checked my front end and what i found was frightening. …”
2019-06-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 223,000 mi“i was driving on a highway when i realized my car was accelerating quickly without my foot on the gas pedal. i put my foot on the brake to slow it down to 65. at the same time i moved the rug back in case it was caught, but that was not the problem and i also tapped the gas pedal to see if it was stuck and it was not. i continued to drive for 15 mi…”
2019-01-30 · Structure:body · 150,000 mi“nissan repaired strut housing under recall. their " band-aid " of a repair is failing. contacted nissan and was told they did what was required. housing repair is coming apart and brake line pulling away. was told buy a new vehicle. why should i when mine runs perfectly fine. but now its unsafe. so unhappy with their response.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.