VehicleVerdict

1999 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1999 Nissan Pathfinder sits mid-pack among Pathfinder years: 144 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 124, with 5 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 45 injuries in total across these filings.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 37 reports (26% of the total).

144

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

29

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

45

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Pathfinder years?

See all Pathfinder years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension3726%
Steering2014%
Body & Structure1813%
Airbags128%
Transmission96%
Other96%
Tires & Wheels96%
Engine75%
Brakes64%
Fuel System53%
Electrical System53%
Speed Control32%
Seat Belts32%
Lighting11%

Does the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

5 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.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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.

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'M REPULSED @ THE GROSS DISREGARD FOR SAFETY & LIFE OF CONSUMERS MY 99 NISSAN --DEATH TRAP HEY IM ALIVE 3 CRASHES MAJOR STEERING LOCK UP SELF ACCELERATION PROBLEMS ELECTRICAL STALLING SHIMMY SEATBELTS DON'T LOCK AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS BRAKES LOCK UP CHRONIC CHECK ENGINE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 21, 2004 · crash

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED. THE ENGINE WENT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING WAS ALSO LOCKED -UP AND I LOST CONTROL, THE CAR SPUN OUT, AND HIT THE JERSEY BARRIER WITH THE BACK. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 30, 2011 · crash

1999.5 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4WD LX WITH LESS THAN 130K MILES STARTED RUSTING LAST YEAR AND NOW HAS EXCESSIVE BODY RUST. FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM CAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AND REWELDED IN 2007, GAS FILL PIPE WAS RECALLED FOR REPAIR BY NISSAN DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 1, 2007

THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT AND THE FRONT END OF THE PATHFINDER WAS SMASHED SIGNIFICANTLY. THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE COME OUT. THE AIR BAGS IN THE OTHER CAR INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT DEPLOYED. I HAVE PICTURES OF MY CAR. DT

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 25, 2002 · crash

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE AT HIGH SPEED SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED ON FIRESTONE TIRES ON THE NEWS. THOUGHT THIS INFORMATION WOULD BE HELPFUL IN YOUR DATA BASE. NOT SURE I HAVE THE DOT# CORRECT. CAN CALL AT [PHONE] TO CONFIRM.( DOT NUMBER: KW876MA TIRE SIZE: P265-70R15 )

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 6, 2000

1999 Nissan Pathfinder — common questions

Is the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

It is close to typical for the Pathfinder: 144 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 1999 Pathfinder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (37 complaints), steering (20 complaints), body & structure (18 complaints).

Does the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 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.