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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 171 owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve suspension (43) and engine and engine cooling (40). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
171
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2020NHTSA 20V008000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.

Air bagsReported Feb 2, 2017NHTSA 17V068000

Air bags

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported May 15, 2015NHTSA 15V287000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

171 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2002 – Mar 2024
  1. Suspension43
  2. Engine and engine cooling40
  3. Structure18
  4. Steering17
  5. Air bags11
  6. Vehicle speed control11
  7. Power train11
  8. Fuel/propulsion system8
  9. Equipment8

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
16
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

43 reports1 crash
“This relates to Campaign Number 11V244000 We are the original and only owners of the vehicle I originally brought the vehicle in for the recall and they simply sprayed some undercoating in the wheel wells. Less than a month later both strut towers separated from the body of the vehicle while my wife was driving home, she lost steering and could have had a serious or fatal accident. I towed to the dealer and they installed braces in both strut towers. I have always taken exceptional care of my vehicles, which includes multiple washes during winter months and extensive undercarriage washing every spring. This past Oct when I took the vehicle in for mandatory state inspection I was informed that the vehicle would not pass inspection next year. They told me this once before in relation to extensive rust to the passenger side rear frame next to the muffler. I was able to cut out the rust and weld a thicker plate of steel in there to repair the frame. I just changed my oil and looked for what the mechanic was referring too. This time the rust is between the braces they installed for the struts and the front of the wheel well. The mechanic saw the rust coming through…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2024Steering, Suspension, StructureODI 11577805

Engine and engine cooling

40 reports1 crash1 fire
“I HAVE HAD THE PULLEY REPAIRED ON MY 2002 PATHFINDER REPAIR TWICE, IN 2006 AND AGAIN IN 2008 I BELIEVE. AND IT IS STILL GIVING ME A PROBLEM. THE DRIVER SEAT MOTOR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD, AND IN EXTREME HOT WEATHER, MY MOTOR DRAGS, AND IT IS HARD TO START THE ENGINE. THE CD PLAYER NEVER WORK RIGHT. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Seats, EquipmentODI 10419832

Structure

18 reports
“I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WE LOOKED AT THE FRAME UNDER THE CARS FRONT END IT IS CLUCKING THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST, PERFORATED STEEL AND DISCONNECTED FROM OTHER PARTS VERY DANGEROUS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM SMITHTOWN NISSIAN IN 2002 I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I CALLED SMITHTOWN NISSAN THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECALLS FOR THIS BUT MY VIN# CAR IS NOT AFFECTED I READ THE RECALL NOTICE R1107 IT STATES IM HIGH SALT AREAS AND NEW YORK IS ONE OF THEM FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM . THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2019StructureODI 11291453
All 2002 Pathfinder problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-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 5, 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 · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Pathfinder 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151716$4,000555
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300592
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 17 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 4690Vehicle 4565
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

2002 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 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 2002 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 171 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (43), engine and engine cooling (40), structure (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026