1998 Nissan Pathfinder

◆ Worse than typical

1998 Nissan Pathfinder
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:49:52.095Z

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 PER YEAR

1998: 149 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1986	1
1987	19
1988	17
1989	15
1990	38
1991	39
1992	30
1993	49
1994	91
1995	170
1996	159
1997	217
1998	149
1999	104
2000	112
2001	230
2002	156
2003	110
2004	67
2005	1050
2006	837
2007	561
2008	328
2009	37
2010	40
2011	45
2012	23
2013	889
2014	573
2015	318
2016	103
2017	183
2018	76
2019	73
2020	50
2022	133
2023	97
2024	68
2025	42
2026	7

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181018

SUSPENSION 11%

11% of complaints: suspension — 17 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

MY PATHFINDER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN A SPAN OF 5 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030901

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

STEERING FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH/INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971216

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 149

R 20060403 — 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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — 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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071126 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 07V435000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110128 — PE (closed 20110630)

Frame/Body Structure Corrosion

R 20110825 — steering, suspension

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,

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. O

Campaign 11V244000 — check if this car was fixed