Problems · NHTSA complaints

1997 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Owners filed 225 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Nov 1996 and Nov 2021. The most-cited component is suspension (107).

Complaints
225
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
18
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension107
  2. Steering25
  3. Power train18
  4. Structure18
  5. Tires17
  6. Vehicle speed control16
  7. Engine and engine cooling16
  8. Air bags13
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  10. Fuel system, gasoline8
  11. Seat belts4
  12. Wheels3
  13. Electrical system3
  14. Visibility3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
19961
19979
199814
199919
200018
200125
200211
20038
200415
20056
20067
200714
20089
20095
20107
201127
201211
20138
20143
20150
20162
20173
20180
20191
20201
20211

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Suspension

107 reports3 crashes
“The vehicle swings left to right when cruising at about any speed. When the vehicle is pulling it does not swing or sway, however once the vehicle has got up to a desired speed and you try to maintain a steady speed it starts a “death wobble” which nearly cannot hold it on correct side of the road. You have to increase speed or reduce speed dramatically to regain control of the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2021Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11441345

Steering

25 reports1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING , SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2017Steering, SuspensionODI 10948749

Power train

18 reports
“VEHICLE SWAYS VERY BAD DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION AND STOP IF YOU PUSH THE BRAKE OR SPEED UP. FEELS REALLY DANGEROUS AND FOUND OTHERS WITH SAME VEHICLE AND SAME PROBLEM. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2013Power trainODI 10499311

Structure

18 reports
“DRIVING TRUCK GOT SO BAD IT WAS HARD TO KEEP IN ROAD..WOULD GO SIDE TO SIDE ON HIGHWAY AND TURNS WERE NOT EASY TO SAY IN LANE.TOOK TO CLARKTIRE CO ..THEY REPLACED LOTS OF PARTS AND SAID MOUNTS FOR SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE PRETTY BADLY RUSTED CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THOSE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2016Steering, Suspension, StructureODI 10820653

Tires

17 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, LINE SIZE 265/70/R15 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIZE TIRE BLEW. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A WALL AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSE BY A ROAD HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND INSPECT THE TIRE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2011TiresCrash reportedODI 10398674

Vehicle speed control

16 reports3 crashes
“THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THIS OCCURRED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME UPON ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE SECOND TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A TREE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED REAR END DAMAGE. *AK *SC *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2004Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10064621
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.