VehicleVerdict

2000 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 Nissan Pathfinder sits mid-pack among Pathfinder years: 166 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 125, with 6 recalls and one closed investigation. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (41), body & structure (29), and steering (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

166

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

15

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Pathfinder years?

See all Pathfinder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension4125%
Body & Structure2917%
Steering2716%
Brakes117%
Fuel System106%
Speed Control106%
Tires & Wheels85%
Transmission64%
Engine64%
Electrical System64%
Airbags42%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting21%
Other21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2000 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

6 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.

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.

MY SIXTEEN YEAR OLD SON ALONG WITH MY SEVEN YEAR OLD SON WERE DRIVING MY CAR WHEN CAR STARTED WOBBLING, HE LOST CONTROL GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES AN HOUR, OVER CORRECTED AND WENT HEAD FIRST INTO TREES AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY MY SONS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND DID NOT SUSTAIN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 29, 2002 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE, WHICH IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT EYE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 13, 2018 · crash

CAR VEERED OFF ROAD TO RIGHT UNEXPLAINABLE CAUSING ME TO HIT A GUARD RAIL DEAD ON THE END. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED EITHER. I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING BUT GOT THE RECALL NOTICE RIGHT AFTER MY ACCIDENT. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAD ALREADY SETTLED WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY ON A PAYOUT AND THEY TOOK POSSESSION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 27, 2011 · crash

WHILE DRIVING MY SUV I HEARD A LOUD BANG, INMEDIATELLY AFTER THAT, THE SUV TURNED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT. I TRIED TO MAINTAIN ON MY LANE BUT IT WAS USELESS. THE VEHICLE KEPT TURNING RIGHT. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, AND THEN THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON THE WET PAVEMENT SLAMMING THE VEHICLE AGAINST THE BRIDGES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 16, 2002 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE MUFFLER AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO UNDERCARRIAGE COATING. THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V435000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 23, 2008

2000 Nissan Pathfinder — common questions

Is the 2000 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

It is close to typical for the Pathfinder: 166 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2000 Pathfinder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (41 complaints), body & structure (29 complaints), steering (27 complaints).

Does the 2000 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 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.