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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Suspension107
- Steering25
- Power train18
- Structure18
- Tires17
- Vehicle speed control16
- Engine and engine cooling16
- Air bags13
- Service brakes, hydraulic13
- Fuel system, gasoline8
- Seat belts4
- Wheels3
- Electrical system3
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
9
14
19
18
25
11
8
15
6
7
14
9
5
7
27
11
8
3
0
2
3
0
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1999 | 19 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 25 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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”
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.”
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.”
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”
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.