NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1999 Nissan Pathfinder has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 104 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Nissan Pathfinder owner complaints

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder, describing incidents dated February 1, 1999 to July 24, 2020.

Most-cited components

Suspension 35 complaints
Steering 20 complaints
Structure 18 complaints
Air Bags 11 complaints
Tires 9 complaints
Power Train 8 complaints

Of the 104 complaints on file, 15 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 104 complaints, owners report 21 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11361812 · Filed October 6, 2020
1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED AN HOUR BEFORE THE FIRE AND SMELLED GAS. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. NISSAN DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF…
ODI #11309103 · Filed February 14, 2020
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, STAYS OFF EVEN WHEN PARKED.
ODI #11231318 · Filed July 15, 2019
1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUT TOWER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR STATING THE WORK WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT AND CONSIDERS IT TO BE BEYOND WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. *JS

Read all 104 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE11-004: Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
Closed June 30, 2011
- Recall 11V-244

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FRAME/BODY STRUCTURE CORROSION

NHTSA #11V244000 · Steering — Column · NHTSA notice

Reported April 20, 2011 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 195,991 vehicles

Owners notified August 25, 2011 · Vehicles built October 1, 1995 – July 31, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET

NHTSA #07V435000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Filler Pipe and Cap · NHTSA notice

Reported September 18, 2007 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 372,250 vehicles

Owners notified November 26, 2007 · Vehicles built May 24, 1997 – July 26, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

1999 Nissan Pathfinder4-DR.4x4 (1999.5) w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

104 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11361812

Fire

Incident: July 24, 2020 · Filed: October 6, 2020

1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED AN HOUR BEFORE THE FIRE AND SMELLED GAS. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. NISSAN DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY FOR 19 YEARS AND NO RECENT MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER.*JS

Service Brakes

ODI #11309103

Incident: December 1, 2019 · Filed: February 14, 2020

THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, STAYS OFF EVEN WHEN PARKED.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11231318

Incident: July 15, 2019 · Filed: July 15, 2019

1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUT TOWER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR STATING THE WORK WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT AND CONSIDERS IT TO BE BEYOND WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. *JS

Steering; Unknown or Other

ODI #11181741

Incident: February 14, 2019 · Filed: February 21, 2019

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WITH STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A QUARTER OF A TURN BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO TURN AND WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY THIS CAUSES ME TO DRIFT INTO OTHER LANES . THIS DELAY WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR DOESN'T TURN IS VERY SCARY. IT IS ALMOST LIKE WHEN YOU HIT AN ICE PATCH AND APPLY THE BREAKS AND THE VEHICLE KEEPS GOING IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION

Suspension

ODI #11129969

Incident: September 10, 2018 · Filed: September 17, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER BRACE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BYRELY NISSAN (4027 DIXIE HIGHWAY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40216) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VIN WAS OLD AND NO LONGER IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE CONSUMER DID NOT RECIEVE THE RECALL #11V244000 NOTICE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING RUSTED AND BROKE LOOSE, AND IS RUBBING AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN. *JS

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11123231

Incident: August 1, 2011 · Filed: August 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING. IN ADDITION, THERE HAD BEEN RUST PROGRESSING OVER TIME ON THE UNDERBODY/FRAMING. THE DEALER (MOUNT HOLLY NISSAN, 1513 NJ-38, HAINESPORT, NJ 08036, (609) 267-2886) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) IN 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING COULD CRACK AND CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. **TR CONSUMER STATED THE RUST PROBLEM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED BY THE RECALL - OBVOUSLY NOT THE CASE. THE PASSENGERS SIDE SHOWS SURFACE RUST BUT NO RUST THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. UPDATED 11/1/18*JB

Unknown or Other

ODI #10947893

Incident: September 4, 2010 · Filed: January 27, 2017

STRUT HOUSING HAS BEEN LEAKING WHILE PUTTING GAS ABNORMAL METAL CORROSION PROBABLY D/T TO A POOR COATING PROCESS GRINDING NOISES

Unknown or Other

ODI #10909984

Incident: September 26, 2016 · Filed: September 27, 2016

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 11V-244 RECALL, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: R1108. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS IN SEATTLE WA. I LIVE IN ILLINOIS AND TOOK THIS CAR YESTERDAY TO ANDERSON NISSAN IN ROCKFORD, IL FOR THE OPEN RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT THEIR INSPECTION SHOWED NO RUST AND DUE TO THE LIFE OF THIS CAR, NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON THIS RECALL. MY CONCERN IS THAT NOW THAT THIS CAR WILL BE EXPOSED TO SNOW AND SALT, IT WILL RUST!! THIS CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND I HOPE TO GET MANY MORE YEARS OUT OF IT (ODOMETER IS 152,500 MILES). I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, CASE# 24193883, WHO SAID THAT MY REQUEST TO REMEDY THE STRUT HOUSING (I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE FIX IS REMOVE RUST AND THEN APPLY PAINT) WILL BE REFERRED TO THEIR REGIONAL OFFICE. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE ON THIS ISSUE?

Tires

ODI #10787135

Incident: August 5, 2015 · Filed: October 29, 2015

I WAS SOLD A SET OF FOUR 31/1050R-5/16 PEGASUS ADVANTA AT ALL SEASONS OWL ON 10/15/2012 FROM LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER MILEAGE WAS 114360 ON MY 09 NISSAN PATHFINDER 2WD AFTER/DURING PUTTING 16000 MILES ON THEM I NOTICED THAT A WOBBLE AT SLOW SPEEDS (5-15MPH)LIKE A THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED I NOTICED BULGING IN THE SIDEWALL THEY HAVE WORN OUT MY STRUTS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE AT 60 MPH THE CAR WILL VIOLENTLY START TO SHAKE I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES FOR AN ALIGNMENT THE ONLY OPTION WAS A BRAND NEW SET OF TIRES PEGASUS ADVANTA AT ALL SEASONS OWL SHOULD BE RECALLED SEE ALSO:HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CRO/NEWS/2014/11/COUNTERFEIT-CAR-TIRES-POSE-CONSUMER-RISK/INDEX.HTM

Air Bags

ODI #10723543

Crash 1 injury

Incident: May 28, 2015 · Filed: June 5, 2015

MY LEFT WRIST WAS BURNED BADLY WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER AN ACCIDENT I WAS INVOLVED IN. IS WHATEVER IS PUT IN THE AIR BAG TO BURN A PERSON'S SKIN NECESSARY? IS THERE ANOTHER WAY?

Other Nissan Pathfinder model years

Check your 1999 Nissan Pathfinder VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Pathfinder at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Nissan VIN