MYRModel Year Report

1996 Nissan Pathfinder

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Nissan Pathfinder
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:05:53.025Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
159
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

43% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 40 complaints 1991: 40 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 49 complaints 1994: 101 complaints 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1996 159 1997: 217 complaints 1998: 149 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 112 complaints 2001: 230 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 110 complaints 2004: 67 complaints 2005: 1,050 complaints 2006: 837 complaints 2006 2007: 561 complaints 2008: 328 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2011: 45 complaints 2011 2012: 23 complaints 2013: 890 complaints 2014: 576 complaints 2015: 321 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2016 2017: 186 complaints 2018: 78 complaints 2019: 76 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2022: 136 complaints 2022 2023: 107 complaints 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 57 complaints 2026: 15 complaints
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1989: 15 complaints 1989 1990: 40 complaints 1991: 40 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 49 complaints 1994: 101 complaints 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1996 159 1997: 217 complaints 1998: 149 complaints 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 112 complaints 2001: 230 complaints 2001 2002: 156 complaints 2003: 110 complaints 2004: 67 complaints 2004 2005: 1,050 complaints 2006: 837 complaints 2007: 561 complaints 2007 2008: 328 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2010 2011: 45 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2013: 890 complaints 2013 2014: 576 complaints 2015: 321 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2016 2017: 186 complaints 2018: 78 complaints 2019: 76 complaints 2019 2020: 53 complaints 2022: 136 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 57 complaints 2026: 15 complaints 2026
1986: 1 complaint 1986 1987: 19 complaints 1988: 17 complaints 1988 1989: 15 complaints 1990: 40 complaints 1990 1991: 40 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1992 1993: 49 complaints 1994: 101 complaints 1994 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 159 complaints 1996 159 1997: 217 complaints 1998: 149 complaints 1998 1999: 104 complaints 2000: 112 complaints 2000 2001: 230 complaints 2002: 156 complaints 2002 2003: 110 complaints 2004: 67 complaints 2004 2005: 1,050 complaints 2006: 837 complaints 2006 2007: 561 complaints 2008: 328 complaints 2008 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 40 complaints 2010 2011: 45 complaints 2012: 23 complaints 2012 2013: 890 complaints 2014: 576 complaints 2014 2015: 321 complaints 2016: 105 complaints 2016 2017: 186 complaints 2018: 78 complaints 2018 2019: 76 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2022: 136 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 57 complaints 2025 2026: 15 complaints

1996: 159 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19861
198719
198817
198915
199040
199140
199230
199349
1994101
1995170
1996159
1997217
1998149
1999104
2000112
2001230
2002156
2003110
200467
20051,050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013890
2014576
2015321
2016105
2017186
201878
201976
202053
2022136
2023107
202489
202557
202615

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

43% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing rear and front.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving my 96 Nissan Pathfinder straight on a 30MPH road when I let off the accelrator and the rear end of the vehicle started to sway, shake and to rock back and forth as if the rear axle was twisting seperate from the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-31

While driving at highway speeds of 65 MPH vehicle went into violent body rolling and shimmy causing driver to almost loose control. Body was rolling severely, as if steering wheel was being rocked back and forth, however steering wheel was steady.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-03

Also filed under Steering

Steering

16% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

On September 4TH 2011, I was driving my 96' Nissan Pathfinder at approx. 30MPH. I made a left hand turn and was coming out of the turn when my steering wheel repeatedly jerked from side to side causing me to loose control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-12-22

While driving 56 MPH vehicle went over a dip in the road and lost control, and rolled over three times, ejecting the driver from the vehicle. As a result, driver died at the scene.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-20

Driving at speed of 50MPH, when changing lanes, due the road construction and hwy condition, vehicle lost control and tilted over.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-08-23

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

Service brakes

9% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Tires

8% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and temporary/emergency spare tire.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tread separation occurred for rear-passenger side tire while traveling at 65 MPH. (Dunlop grandtrek 265/70/R15) the tire came as original equipment with the SUV, it was the (Full-size) spare.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-13

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 159 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1996-09-02Steering96V034000 Due to the type of lubricant used in the steering transfer gear assembly, the effort required to turn the steering wheel at low ambient temperatures (Less than -30 c) could increase to the point…

    Remedy: Dealers are replacing the steering transfer gear assembly with a new assembly having different lubricant.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1996-09-02Service brakes, hydraulic96V031000 Due to the thickness of the carpet padding on the transmission tunnel, the space between the brake pedal and the transmission tunnel could catch a driver's right foot under the brake pedal.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove the carpet padding on the transmission tunnel adjacent to the accelerator pedal.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2011-01-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-06-30 Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
  7. R
    2011-08-25Steering, suspension11V244000 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…

    Remedy: 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 68 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V034000 · Steering
  • Recall 96V031000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 11V244000 · Steering, suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.