Model year record

1994 Nissan Pathfinder recalls & problems

The 1994 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 safety recalls and 91 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (36 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints91filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsMay 2, 2002

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 02V12500092,500 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Seat beltsSep 10, 1996

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 96V17000184,000 vehicles

Problem: THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE.

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

1994 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot 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

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/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*
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Exhaust system	36	1	1	0	99,420 mi
StructureFrame and members; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut	23	0	0	1	136,583 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	10	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Power assist › Vacuum	7	1	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	7	4	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire	5	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; 12v/24v/48v battery	4	1	1	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Windshield	3	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront	2	0	0	0	—
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
WENT TO REPLACE FRONT STRUT ROD BUSHINGS AND FOUND NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH STRUT/TENSION ROD THAT CONNECTS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE ARM WAS BENT AT THE RUSTED SECTION AND WAS NEAR FAILURE. THIS POTENTIAL FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST RUSTED STRUT/TENSION ROD I HAVE FOUND ON PATHFINDERS. WE HAVE A 1992 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE ALSO OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM WHEN THEY REPLACE THE BUSHINGS. *TR
May 14, 2014 · 242,974 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
TOOK MY 1994 PATHFINDER FOR FRONT BRAKE SERVICES. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED MY TRUCK AND FOUND THE FRAME COMPLETED RUSTED AND COULD NOT PLACE ON REGULAR LIFT. I WAS TOLD THAT ENTIRE FRAME NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN HAS RECALL ON PATHFINDER. I FOLLOWED UP WITH NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THAT 1994 WAS NOT ON RECALL LIST, BUT RECALL ARE FOR 1996 TO 2003 PATHFINDER. I TRY TO AVOID HIGHWAY RATTLER AND SHAKE TOO MUCH, SO I TRY TO DO CITY DRIVING. *TR
May 29, 2013 · 104,200 miles
Structure
TOOK VEHICLE INTO REPAIR SHOP GETTING IT READY FOR INSPECTION. WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS RUSTED OUT AND IS NON-REPAIRABLE. IT NEEDLESS TO SAY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH LOOSING THE REAR WHEELS AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. (TOYOTA HAD SAME ISSUE WITH FRAMES SAME YEARS AND ISSUED A RECALL) LIVES ARE AT STAKE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT ISSUE OR COMPENSATE OWNERS. DOING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS ISSUE I FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON…
Jan 7, 2011
Structure › Frame and members
NOTICED SAGGING BUMPER AND TOOK 1994 PATHFINDER IN FOR REPAIRS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. POKED HIS FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME WITH NO EFFORT. CAR HAS BEEN CARED FOR AND HAD UNDERCOATING APPLIED. MECHANICS SAY THEY SEE THIS EXACT PROBLEM QUITE OFTEN. INTERNET SEARCH WILL REVEAL HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES, INCLUDING CAR FALLING APART WHILE MOVING. *TR
Jun 10, 2010 · 184,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE MAIN FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION AND RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE AND FORWARDED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,195. UPDATED 07/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB
Jul 12, 2008 · 60,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TOOK VEHICLE INTO REPAIR SHOP GETTING IT READY FOR INSPECTION. WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS RUSTED OUT AND IS NON-REPAIRABLE. IT NEEDLESS TO SAY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH LOOSING THE REAR WHEELS AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. (TOYOTA HAD SAME ISSUE WITH FRAMES SAME YEARS AND ISSUED A RECALL) LIVES ARE AT STAKE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT ISSUE OR COMPENSATE OWNERS. DOING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS ISSUE I FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON…
Feb 6, 2009 · 135,166 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE INSPECTOR WAS ABLE TO PUSH HIS FINGER THROUGH WHAT USED TO BE A STEEL PART OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,166.
Feb 6, 2009 · 135,166 miles
Structure › Frame and members
I NOTICED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS ROTTED OUT, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY UNSAFE DEFECT. NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THE CHANCE OF FRAME FAILURE. *TR
Sep 17, 2008 · 110,000 miles

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

SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURESClosedLed to recall 02V125000
TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) .ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 02V-281 (THE HONDA PASSPORT IS MANUFACTURED BY ISUZU FOR HONDA AND IS SIMILAR TO THE ISUZU RODEO VEHICLE). THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
RQ02009 · opened Apr 11, 2002 · closed Dec 17, 2002