Nissan

Pathfinder (R50)

2000-2004 · Midsize SUV · 7 engines
Best Engine Recommended (4.8)
716 NHTSA Complaints
12 Recalls
6 Fire Reports
60 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

KA24

2.4L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
1

Also found in

NISSAN Altima (2000-2000)NISSAN Maxima (2000-2003)NISSAN Pathfinder (2000-2004)NISSAN Altima (2001-2001)NISSAN 200Sx (2001-2001)NISSAN Xterra (2000-2004)NISSAN Sentra (2000-2006)NISSAN Maxima (2004-2008) +4 more

VG30E

3.0L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
1

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

NISSAN Maxima (2000-2003)NISSAN Pathfinder (2000-2004)MITSUBISHI Eclipse (2000-2005)NISSAN Pathfinder (2005-2012)

QG18DE

1.8L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.6)
3 complaints 1.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
2
other
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)

Also found in

NISSAN Sentra (2007-2012)NISSAN Maxima (2000-2003)NISSAN Pathfinder (2000-2004)NISSAN Sentra (2013-2019)NISSAN Altima (2001-2001)HONDA Accord (2008-2012)NISSAN Xterra (2000-2004)NISSAN Altra Ev (2002-2002) +9 more

QR25DE

2.5L 4-cyl
Recommended (3.8)
7 complaints 7.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
cooling
2
brakes
2
electrical
1
safety systems
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (2 complaints)
Brakes Issues (2 complaints)

Also found in

NISSAN Armada (2004-2015)NISSAN Altima (2000-2000)NISSAN Maxima (2000-2003)CHRYSLER Town & Country (2008-2016)NISSAN Pathfinder (2000-2004)NISSAN Sentra (2013-2019)NISSAN Altima (2001-2001)CADILLAC DTS (2006-2011) +17 more

VQ30

3.0L 6-cyl
Recommended (3.8)
6 complaints 6.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
5
engine
1
cooling
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (5 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (1 complaints)

Also found in

INFINITI Q70 (2000-2000)FORD Focus (2000-2007)HONDA Pilot (2003-2008)NISSAN Altima (2000-2000)NISSAN Maxima (2000-2003)NISSAN Pathfinder (2000-2004)INFINITI Q70 (2001-2001)NISSAN Xterra (2000-2004) +6 more

VK56DE

5.6L 8-cyl
⚠️ Caution (3.3)
16 complaints 16.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
6
interior
3
safety systems
2
transmission
2
other
2

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (6 complaints)
Interior Issues (3 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (2 complaints)

Also found in

NISSAN Armada (2004-2015)NISSAN Titan (2004-2015)NISSAN Pathfinder (2000-2004)GMC Acadia (2007-2016)NISSAN Crew (2004-2004)INFINITI QX80 (2004-2010)NISSAN Maxima (2004-2008)MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class (2008-2014) +6 more

VQ35DE

3.5L 6-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.5)
286 complaints 71.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension
68
engine
58
cooling
48
body
43
fuel system
43

Known Issues

Suspension Issues (68 complaints)
Engine Issues (58 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (48 complaints)

Also found in

INFINITI Q45 (2002-2006)GMC Yukon (2007-2014)NISSAN 350Z (2003-2008)NISSAN Quest (2011-2017)INFINITI Q60 (2006-2006)INFINITI Q50 (2007-2013)INFINITI Q70 (2011-2019)FORD Fusion (2006-2012) +39 more

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Nissan Pathfinder regardless of engine variant.

Suspension Issues (68 complaints)
suspension critical
Engine Issues (61 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (51 complaints)
cooling critical
Body/Trim Issues (44 complaints)
body critical
Fuel System Issues (43 complaints)
fuel_system critical

Recalls (12)

20V008000Aug 31, 2020critical
Air Bags

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.

17V068000Feb 1, 2017critical
Air Bags

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.

15V287000May 14, 2015critical
Air Bags

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.

11V244000Apr 19, 2011serious
Steering

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.

10V312000Jun 6, 2010serious
Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

09E025000Nov 4, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

09E012000Jul 3, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

07V435000Sep 17, 2007serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

07E046000Mar 6, 2007serious
Equipment

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.

06E049000May 23, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

06E026000Mar 22, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

01V282000Aug 29, 2001serious
Structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BRACKETS USED TO ATTACH THE TWO GAS STRUTS TO THE REAR DOOR (HATCH) MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MADE. AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE INCREASE IN GAS PRESSURE IN THE STRUT(S) COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH BRACKETS TO BEND, RESULTING IN THE STRUTS DETACHING FROM THE BRACKET(S) WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING THE REAR DOOR.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

The 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder has accumulated 716 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Suspension, Engine, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Nissan Pathfinder engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder was offered with 7 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.5L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder a good used car?

The 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 716 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder have?

The 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder has 716 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder?

There are 12 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2004 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Nissan Pathfinder?

Before buying a used Nissan Pathfinder, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Suspension, Engine, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 716 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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