How many recalls does the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder have?

The 1996 Nissan Pathfinder has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1996 Nissan Pathfinder has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder?

Of 214 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is suspension.

1996 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1996 Nissan Pathfinder has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 199,541 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 214 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 11V244000 2011-04-20 195,991 affected

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,…

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.

STEERING 96V034000 1996-02-22 1,775 affected

Defect

DUE TO THE TYPE OF LUBRICANT USED IN THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY, THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (LESS THAN -30 C) COULD INCREASE TO THE POINT WHERE SOME DRIVERS WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE WHEEL, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE REPLACING THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY HAVING DIFFERENT LUBRICANT.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 96V031000 1996-02-22 1,775 affected

Defect

DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE CARPET PADDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL, THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL COULD CATCH A DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD INHIBIT A DRIVER FROM APPLYING THE BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CARPET PADDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL ADJACENT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION

SUSPENSION:REAR

STEERING

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

815

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

TIRES

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Total complaints214

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan pathfinder. While the vehicle was being inspected at the dmv, the mechanic informed the contact that the rear strut was rusting. In addition, the contact stated that the steering made an abnormal popping noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to an…”

STEERING · reported 2018-01-06

“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan pathfinder. While the vehicle was being inspected at the dmv, the mechanic informed the contact that the rear strut was rusting. In addition, the contact stated that the steering made an abnormal popping noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to an…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2018-01-06

“Car has many after market parts which are old and rusted which causes the entire vehicle to break down even after replacing many parts also when searching gor parts its hard to find I have to get parts for a 1997 nissan pathfinder when my vehicle is a 1996 nissan pathfinder”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2017-12-28

“Car has many after market parts which are old and rusted which causes the entire vehicle to break down even after replacing many parts also when searching gor parts its hard to find I have to get parts for a 1997 nissan pathfinder when my vehicle is a 1996 nissan pathfinder”

STEERING · reported 2017-12-28

“Car has many after market parts which are old and rusted which causes the entire vehicle to break down even after replacing many parts also when searching gor parts its hard to find I have to get parts for a 1997 nissan pathfinder when my vehicle is a 1996 nissan pathfinder”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2017-12-28

“I tried to make contact with the nissan dealer and after finding my vehicle return a positive airbag recall on airbagrecall.com. The local deal said it is not listed in their system and did not offer to look into it any further. I told them they could look it up on an internet based system to see…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-10-27

“I bought this car a couple years ago and couldn't drive it right away because I bought it a little before I got my license. So eventually when I got it on the road I ended up getting a rejection sticker because the e break and a few other reasons. One thing I've noticed about my s.u.v is the wind…”

STEERING · reported 2015-06-06

“I bought this car a couple years ago and couldn't drive it right away because I bought it a little before I got my license. So eventually when I got it on the road I ended up getting a rejection sticker because the e break and a few other reasons. One thing I've noticed about my s.u.v is the wind…”

VISIBILITY/WIPER · reported 2015-06-06