Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

1999 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 113 owner complaints for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve suspension (35) and steering (21). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Apr 2011
Owner complaints
113
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Remedy pending

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

SteeringReported Apr 20, 2011NHTSA 11V244000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

113 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – Oct 2020
  1. Suspension35
  2. Steering21
  3. Structure19
  4. Air bags15
  5. Tires9
  6. Power train8
  7. Fuel system, gasoline6
  8. Engine and engine cooling6
  9. Electrical system6

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

By model year

Complaints for each Pathfinder model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996159
1997225
1998149
1999113
2000128
2001239
2002171
2003110
200467
20051,050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013891
2014575
2015321
2016107
2017188
201878
201976
202053
2022137
2023107
202487
202558
202615
Crashes reported
20
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
30
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

35 reports1 crash
“1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUT TOWER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR STATING THE WORK WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT AND CONSIDERS IT TO BE BEYOND WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2019Suspension, StructureODI 11231318

Steering

21 reports6 crashes
“WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WITH STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A QUARTER OF A TURN BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO TURN AND WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY THIS CAUSES ME TO DRIFT INTO OTHER LANES . THIS DELAY WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR DOESN'T TURN IS VERY SCARY. IT IS ALMOST LIKE WHEN YOU HIT AN ICE PATCH AND APPLY THE BREAKS AND THE VEHICLE KEEPS GOING IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2019Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11181741

Structure

19 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING. IN ADDITION, THERE HAD BEEN RUST PROGRESSING OVER TIME ON THE UNDERBODY/FRAMING. THE DEALER (MOUNT HOLLY NISSAN, 1513 NJ-38, HAINESPORT, NJ 08036, (609) 267-2886) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) IN 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING COULD CRACK AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. **TR CONSUMER STATED THE RUST PROBLEM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED BY THE RECALL - OBVOUSLY NOT THE CASE. THE PASSENGERS SIDE SHOWS SURFACE RUST BUT NO RUST THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. UPDATED 11/1/18*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2018Suspension, StructureODI 11123231
All 1999 Pathfinder problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 2-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, 2LKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS · 2-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS · 2-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS · 2-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS · 2-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,300592
Pathfinder 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141615$4,300592
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, 2LKUP
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, FFS
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 16 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder as of Nov 4, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 3990
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (35), steering (21), structure (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026