1999 Nissan Pathfinder
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 19 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 40 |
| 1991 | 40 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 49 |
| 1994 | 101 |
| 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 | 890 |
| 2014 | 574 |
| 2015 | 320 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 186 |
| 2018 | 77 |
| 2019 | 75 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2022 | 134 |
| 2023 | 103 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 49 |
| 2026 | 9 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
35% of complaints: suspension — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and rear.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180829
Also filed under STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT HOUSING CRACKED AND DETACHED AWAY FROM THE FRAME.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120410
19% of complaints: steering — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and shaft sector.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990915
17% of complaints: structure — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and body.
12% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
MY LEFT WRIST WAS BURNED BADLY WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER AN ACCIDENT I WAS INVOLVED IN. IS WHATEVER IS PUT IN THE AIR BAG TO BURN A PERSON'S SKIN NECESSARY? IS THERE ANOTHER WAY?
NHTSA ODI report, 20150605
I DON'T KNOW WE ARE THE SECOND OR 3RD OWNER. JUST SHOWS ON CAR FAX THAT THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA ODI report, 20150515
VEHICLE WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20031015
9% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (36 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V435000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V244000 (steering, suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.