Model year record

1991 Nissan Pathfinder recalls & problems

The 1991 Nissan Pathfinder has 1 safety recall and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (15 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints39filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V1030022,730,462 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Pathfinder 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Pathfinder 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Pathfinder 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Pathfinder 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	15	1	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor	9	0	1	0	—
TiresTread/belt	5	0	0	0	—
SteeringColumn locking › Anti-theft device; Steering wheel/handle bar	3	0	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	3	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	2	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	2	0	1	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	2	2	0	1	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls	1	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Drum	1	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
REAR FRAME ON THESE SUV RUSTED OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT, WAS PULL A SMALL TRAILER AND THE FRAME AT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL COME APART AND WENT TO MANY JUNKYARDS TO FIND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL PATHFINDER FROM 89-95 THEY RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT GIVING NO WARNING THAT IT IS FAILING, SOME THAT I CHECK WITH A HAMMER AT THE JUNKYARD THE HAMMER WENT THREW THE FRAMES, NISSAN HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IT COULD CAUSE A WRECK IF THE FRAME IS WEAK ,WITH NO WARNING !!!! *TR
Aug 2, 2013 · 152,031 miles
Tires
1991 NISSAN PATHFINDER DEVELOPING PROBLEMS WITH THE GOODYEAR FORTERA TIRE EQUIPMENT. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ONE OF THE VEHICEL' S FRONT TIRES WAS CUPPED SEVERELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO WANDER WHEN DRIVEN (GOODYEAR FORTERA H1). *NM
Feb 1, 2005
Tires
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. FIRESTONE, FIREHAWK, DOT BB604RB307. *AK
Apr 12, 2004 · 162,000 miles
Steering
STEERING MECHNISM HAS FAILED, CAUSING UNVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Jul 25, 2003
Tires › Tread/belt
ABNORMAL TREAD SEPARATION. *AK
Jun 29, 2003
Tires › Tread/belt
CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR 4 P235/75R15 FIRESTONE ATX STEEL BELTED RADIAL TIRES HE PURCHASED WHICH WERE PART OF SAFETY RECALL 00T005. *TT
Jan 30, 2002
Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCrash
WHILE IN A CAR CRASH REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS RECLINED UPON IMPACT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Oct 2, 2001
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
RECALL 95V103002 REPAIRS WERE PREVIOUSLY DONE. HOWEVER, SEAT BELT BUCKLES ARE FAILING TO REMAIN LOCKED, PREVENTING PASSENGERS FROM BEING PROPERLY RESTRAINED. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Sep 19, 2001

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREClosedLed to recall 95V103002
There is no summary currently available
EA95007 · opened Mar 10, 1995 · closed Aug 2, 1995