Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (12) and air bags (11). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–16mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
67
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 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

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

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

67 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2004 – Sep 2024
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  2. Air bags11
  3. Power train9
  4. Fuel/propulsion system6
  5. Visibility6
  6. Vehicle speed control4
  7. Engine4
  8. Structure4
  9. Tires3

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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Service brakes, hydraulic

12 reports2 crashes
“I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WAS FAR BACK FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME I THEN REALIZED THAT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD NO TAILLIGHTS AND WAS STOPPED , I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND MY BRAKES SHIMMIED KIND OF LIKE I WAS HYDROPLAINING ON WATER AND THEN I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE VEHICLE RAN EVEN THOUGH I HIT THEM. THIS CAUSED OVER 7,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND WHIPLASH TO ME. ALSO A POLICE OFFICER SAW THE ACCIDENT AND HE EVEN SAID HE SAW HOW FAR AWAY I WAS AND DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I DID NOT STOP. I AM A PARALLEL AND I HAVE ALREADY FOUND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NISSAN NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND IF THEY ARE NOT I WILL TAKE THEM TO COURT. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING IN TO THIS. MY HUSBAND IS ALSO A US MARINE SERVING IN IRAQ AND WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE HE WANTED ME TO BE SAFE THEREFORE I HOPE NISSAN WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THESE CARS. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2005Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10141771

Air bags

11 reports1 crash
“i made appointments at 2 different Nissan dealers and contacted Nissan corporate about my airbag recall. Dealers were neither able or willing to obtain parts Walzer Nissan, Coon Rapids MN and Miller Nissan, St Cloud Mn. Ive received several notices about the recall but im told Nissan is not obligated to fix the problem, just notify me”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2024Air bagsODI 11593579

Power train

9 reports
“I BOUGHT THE TRUCK JANUARY 4TH THIS YEAR WHENI CHECKED TRANNMISSION FLUID WASN'T ON STICK. SO I ADDED 6 OUNCES FEB 15TH AND NEXT DAY OR 2 STARTED SLIPPING HAD IT FLUSHED 500 WORTH STILL SHOT. THIS WAS 2ND TIME TYRANNY. HAD BEEN SERVICED. NISSAN YOU KNOW IT'S FAULTY RADIATORS I MEAN 124.000 MILES WASN'T NOTHING FOR A NISSAN YEARS AGO I GUESS THAT'S CHANGED. VERY DISCOURAGED NEVER OWN ANOTHER 1.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2017Power trainODI 10958735
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl · 5.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 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, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$4,000555
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
Pathfinder Armada 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121814$4,600635
Pathfinder Armada 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.60 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,600635
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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 1238
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

2004 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder have?

7 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 2004 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (12), air bags (11), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Pathfinder at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026