What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Nissan Pathfinder

Typical pattern

2.1% of complaints about the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 10.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (24 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 52,000 miles.

Complaints
142
Median age at failure
10.6 yr
Median mileage
108,015 n=103
Crash / fire / tow
12% of reports
Safety recalls
7

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine cooling
24 reports · 52,000 mi
5.8 yr
0%
Suspension
21 reports · 143,000 mi
12.9 yr
4.8%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V008000 2020-01-09
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V287000 2015-05-15
Air bags

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.

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.

11V244000 2011-04-20
Steering:column

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 MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATI

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.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E049000 2006-05-24
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 NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

06E026000 2006-03-23
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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

In owners’ own words

Suspension 2,000 mi 1.5 yr in service
MY 2003 PATHFINDER SHAKES AT ABOUT 20 MPH, 40 MPH, AND 60 MPH. VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE SEAT. THE VIBRATION IS ALSO AUDIBLE.*AK
Suspension 150,000 mi 8.5 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE HAVING THE OIL CHANGED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THE TOP OF THE SHOCKS WERE ALSO COMING IN CONTACT WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LINES WERE TEARING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 2/8/12 *CN
Suspension 143,000 mi 8.8 yr in service
VEHICLE TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V-244 INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF STRUT HOUSINGS AND STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED CORRODED STRUT TOWERS WERE PULLING AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT NISSAN USA REFUSED RECALL BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A SPECIFIED VIN RANGE. NHTSA LATER CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT LIMITED TO A VIN RANGE AND THAT THE VEHICLE MEETS THE RECALL CRITERIA BECAUSE IT IS WITHIN THE APPLICABLE YEAR RANGE AND IS REGISTERED IN MASSACHUSETTS. NISSAN USA HAS NOT CONTACTED ME DIRECTLY YET.
Engine cooling 31,472 mi 4.8 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN EXHAUST LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD USE A REPAIR KIT TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. SHE WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS THE SAFETY INSPECTION AND STATED THAT SINCE THERE IS AN OPEN TSB (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10010378) FOR THIS FAILURE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AS WELL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 31,472.

Other Pathfinder model years

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