2003 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.
24% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing exhaust system and catalytic convertor.
19% of complaints: suspension — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
Unknown . The steering column broke
NHTSA ODI report, 20250805
Also filed under STEERING and UNKNOWN OR OTHER
13% of complaints: steering — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column.
CRASH FIRE INJURY13% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT 35MPH HITTING THE REAR OF A STOPPED CAR DUE TO TRAFFIC ON THE SR125 FREEWAY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. THE FRONT END CRUMPLED BUT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151008
LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE COMING OFF RAMP DUE TO BLACK ICE CAUSING REAR END TO SLIDE OUT TO THE LEFT AT A 90 CAUSING FRONT END COLLISION TO CONCRETE ON BRIDGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150204
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A BARRIER ON THE FREEWAY AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140917
12% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 13 distinct reports on file.
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
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
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
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V287000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V008000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) 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.
- Verify recall 15V287000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder have?
7 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.