VehicleVerdict

1998 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 194 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Pathfinder year — the 1998 model ranks #15 of 40 Pathfinder years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 41 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (48), transmission (23), and brakes (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

194

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

41

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Pathfinder years?

See all Pathfinder years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension4825%
Transmission2312%
Speed Control189%
Brakes189%
Body & Structure168%
Tires & Wheels137%
Fuel System126%
Steering116%
Airbags105%
Other84%
Engine63%
Electrical System53%
Seat Belts32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V244000SuspensionApril 20, 2011 · 195,991 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

07V435000Fuel SystemSeptember 18, 2007 · 372,250 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I AM HAVING MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER DUE TO CORROSION. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY MUFFLER FELL OFF. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WHEN THEY RAISED THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM HAD CORROSION AND HOLES FROM IT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY LAST YEARS STRUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 15, 2011 · crash

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE STANDARD SHIFT IN 5TH GEAR, THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING WENT INTO REVERSE, CAUSING A COLLISION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S EYES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 30, 2012 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S EYES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 30, 2012 · crash

VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A MINOR COLLISION ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE, AND EACH TIME BUMPER HAS COLLAPSED TO THE LEFT SIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · crash

1998 Nissan Pathfinder — common questions

Is the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 194 complaints put the 1998 model at #15 of 40 Pathfinder years. It is one of the Pathfinder years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Pathfinder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (48 complaints), transmission (23 complaints), brakes (18 complaints).

Does the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Pathfinder years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pathfinder years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, 2008, 2015, 2001, 1997, 2017, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2022, 1998, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Pathfinder years belongs to 1986.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.