1992 Nissan Pathfinder recalls & problems
The 1992 Nissan Pathfinder has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 30 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (10 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1992 Nissan Pathfinder.
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.
Crash test ratings
1992 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR. 4x4
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Pathfinder 2WD
| City / highway | 15 / 19 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Pathfinder Van (cargo)
| 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 2WD
| 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
| 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
| 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 | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission | 10 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Engine | 8 | — |
| Tires Tread/belt | 6 | — |
| Structure Body; Frame and members › Underbody shields | 6 | — |
| Electrical system Wiring; Wiring › Interior/under dash | 2 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages Hood › Latch | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Seat belts Front › Anchorage | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 1 | — |
| Equipment Other › Labels | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Apr 19, 2012 · 115,680 milesTires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER EQUIPPED WITH SIGMA STAMPEDE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEPARATED ALONG THE SIDEWALL WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE FUEL HOSES WERE FRACTURED AND LEAKING FUEL. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HELPED RECONNECT THE FUEL HOSES AND INSTALLED A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE WAS 19,505. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ - Mar 15, 2012Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A FUEL LEAK AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME RAIL WAS RUSTED AND THERE WERE SEVERAL HOLES IN THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,581. - Jan 23, 2006 · 150,000 miles · fireElectrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS IGNITED SPONTANEOUSLY. FIRE DEPARTMENT OPENED CAR AND EXTINGUISHED BLAZED. OBSERVED MELTED DASH BOARD BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND DETERMINED THAT CAUSE WAS ELECTRICAL. CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND FOUND THAT ENGINE WAS INTACT. DISCONNECTED CAR BATTERY. *JB - Sep 19, 2003 · 131,715 milesStructure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
1992 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS PROBLEMS WITH REAR SUSPENSION FRAME.*MR WHEN TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSUMER BUY A NEW CAR BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS BROKEN, BUT WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE NO ONE EVER MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME BEING RUSTED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM DURING MAINTENANCE. *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME MEMBERS WHICH ANCHORED THE UPPER LINKS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION TO THE LADDER FRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND/OR BROKE FREE FROM WHERE THEY WERE WELDED TO THE MAIN FRAME. *CB *JB - Dec 20, 2002Engine and engine cooling › Engine
NAR 03/03/2003. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS A CALIFORNIA SMOG TEST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *JB - Jan 16, 2003 · 5,100 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
IN ORDER FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE TO DISENGAGE THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A TURN CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED ALL IS NORMAL. TS - Nov 12, 2001Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY 11/99. REPLACED AT DEALER W/REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN 11/01 AND MUST BE REPLACED. *AK - Oct 7, 2001Structure › Body
WHILE CLEANING VEHICLE INTERIOR ON 10/07/2001, I LIFTED THE REAR SEATS UP TO CLEAN UNDER THEM. SOME TIRE CHANGING EQUIPMENT AND A VINYL TOOL BAG ARE STORED, AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, UNDER THE LEFT REAR SEAT. I LIFTED THE VINYL BAG TO CLEAN UNDER IT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FLOOR WAS RUSTED THROUGH UNDER THE BAG (OVER 6 INCHES) AND EXPOSING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TO EXHAUST FUMES AND THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. I WOULD NEVER HAVE DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEN IF I HAD NOT LIFTED THE VINYL TOOL BAG.*AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.