22 complaints reported

1994 Nissan Pathfinder Structure

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
22
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

May 2011

TOOK VEHICLE INTO REPAIR SHOP GETTING IT READY FOR INSPECTION. WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS RUSTED OUT AND IS NON-REPAIRABLE. IT NEEDLESS TO SAY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH LOOSING THE REAR WHEELS AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. (TOYOTA HAD SAME ISSUE WITH FRAMES SAME YEARS AND ISSUED A RECALL) LIVES ARE AT STAKE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT ISSUE OR COMPENSATE OWNERS. DOING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS ISSUE I FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON SAME YEARS. WHAT CAN BE DONE. I NOW HAVE A WORTHLESS VEHICLE. NOTE: I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WILL BE SUICIDAL DRIVING THE CAR, AND HE CAN'T REPAIR IT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2011
Jul 2010

NOTICED SAGGING BUMPER AND TOOK 1994 PATHFINDER IN FOR REPAIRS. MECHANIC TOLD ME THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. POKED HIS FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME WITH NO EFFORT. CAR HAS BEEN CARED FOR AND HAD UNDERCOATING APPLIED. MECHANICS SAY THEY SEE THIS EXACT PROBLEM QUITE OFTEN. INTERNET SEARCH WILL REVEAL HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR CASES, INCLUDING CAR FALLING APART WHILE MOVING. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2010
Jun 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE MAIN FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION AND RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE AND FORWARDED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,195. UPDATED 07/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/17/09.*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2008
Jun 2009

TOOK VEHICLE INTO REPAIR SHOP GETTING IT READY FOR INSPECTION. WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF VEHICLE IS RUSTED OUT AND IS NON-REPAIRABLE. IT NEEDLESS TO SAY WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH LOOSING THE REAR WHEELS AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. (TOYOTA HAD SAME ISSUE WITH FRAMES SAME YEARS AND ISSUED A RECALL) LIVES ARE AT STAKE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT ISSUE OR COMPENSATE OWNERS. DOING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS ISSUE I FOUND HUNDREDS OF POSTS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON SAME YEARS. WHAT CAN BE DONE. I NOW HAVE A WORTHLESS VEHICLE. NOTE: I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND IT HAD A NEW PA INSPECTION ON IT. SHOP SAYS THIS FRAME ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EASILY SEEN AND VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2009
Jun 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE INSPECTOR WAS ABLE TO PUSH HIS FINGER THROUGH WHAT USED TO BE A STEEL PART OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,166.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2009
Oct 2008

I NOTICED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THAT THE ENTIRE REAR FRAME OF MY VEHICLE IS ROTTED OUT, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY UNSAFE DEFECT. NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THE CHANCE OF FRAME FAILURE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2008
Oct 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER. UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CAST IRON WAS RUSTED IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE INSPECTION STATION FAILED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP TOO HARD, THE VEHICLE COULD SPLIT INTO TWO PIECES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2008
May 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE A GENERAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE FRAME ALONG BOTH REAR AXLES WAS CORROSIVE AND THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE RESTORED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2006
May 2005

FRAME IN REAR WHEEL AREA RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. UNDER COATING HAD HIDDEN THIS UNTIL A SMALL CRACK HAD APPEARED. NISSAN CANADA WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE WHO INDICATED THAT NO ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN FOR VEHICLES OVER 5 YEARS OLD. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2005
Jan 2005

DURING A ROUTINE AUTOMOBILE CHECK UP MECHANIC NOTICED THE BODY FRAME WAS RUSTED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED VISA E-MAIL.*AK THE FRAME OVER THE REAR WHEELS HAD RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOT VISIBLE BECAUSE OF THE UNDER COATING. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2004
Dec 2004

THERE IS A LARGE HOLE IN THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. CONSUMER IS AN AUTO REPAIR MECHANIC, AND BELIEVES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2004
Feb 2004

COMPLETELY CORRODED FRAME AFT, BEGINNING AT THE FRONT OF BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS. *PH THE FRAME CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT THE CONSUMER COULD PUT A FINGER THROUGH THE CORRODED AREAS. *NM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Apr 2003

THE FRAME OF THE CAR HAS RUSTED OUT. MAINLY ABOVE THE REAR AXLE MOUNTS. THIS CARS HAS BEEN WASHED AND UNDERCARRIAGE CLEANED CONSTANTLY. IT SEEMS THAT THE METAL WAS NOT PURE BUT PROBABLY RECYCLED. THUS THE RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NISSAN DIDN'T WANT TO HELP, JUST PUT THE COMPLAINT ON FILE. SO WAY TO KEEP CUSTOMERS COMING BACK! THIS WAS A 26,000 DOLLAR CAR NOW WORTH 0 ! *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2003
May 2002

FRAME CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. LOCATION OF THE CORROSION IS NEAR THE REAR TIRES ON BOTH SIDES IN THE WEEL WELL. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, THEY CAN NOT MAKE THE REPAIR DUE TO LIBALITY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED "THIS IS A COMMOND PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE". ALSO I WAS TOLD NOT TO TOW A TRAILER WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE FRAME WOULD NO LONGER SUPPORT THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT. BOTTOM LINE THE FRAME SHOULD NOT RUST OUT IN 8 YEARS. NOW WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS $26,000.00 VEHICLE????*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Jan 2002

WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, BRAKE OR GO OVER BUMPS REAR AXLE MOVES AND CHANGES DIRECTION OF STEERING. CAR WILL PULL TO LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD. THE CAR WILL NOT GO DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT. REAR FRAME SECTION RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AT MOUNTING LOCATIONS OF AXLE SUPPORT AND SPRING AREAS. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALSO FAILED STATE INSPECTION DO TO BAD RUST PROBLEM. CAR HAD FACTORY UNDERCOAT INSTALLED 8 YEARS AGO. NO WAY SHOULDS A CAR FRAME RUST OUT IN 8 YEARS OR LESS. SUV IS STILL WORTH $6000.00 BUT CAN NOT BE SAFLY DRIVE. YOU CAN NOT SEE RUSTED AREA UNLESS YOU PUT CAR UP ON A LIFT. I DID NOT DO THAT BEFORE I PURCHASED SUV JUST TRADED IN THAT DAY. DEALER WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM AND DID NOT PUT ONA LIFT TO INSPECT IT. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT WITH TOYOTA OF NASHUA BUT WITH THE MFG. NISSAN. I AM SURE YOU WILL HAVE REPORTS OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WITH THESE SUV IN THE RUST BELT AREAS OF USA. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IS NEXT STEP. I WILL SEE IF SOMEONE CAN REPAIR WELD IN A NEW FRAME RAIL SECTION. DT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2002
Jan 2001

WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT AUTOMATIC LOCK WOULD LOCK ALL THE DOORS. SOMETIMES WOULD UNLOCK, AND THEN RELOCK BY ITSELF. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. HAD TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Feb 2000

NUTS BROKE OFF HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL, AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 1999
Sep 1999

HOLE IS DEVELOPPING COMPLETELY THROUGH FLOOR BURNING MULTIPLE HOLES IN MAT FROM EXHAUST HEAT COMING THROUGH PANEL. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 1999
Jul 1998

PAINT STARTED PEELING OFF THE ROOF ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Oct 1996

OPENED UP BACK GLASS PART TO THE DOOR AND WENT TO SHUT THE GLASS AND THE WHOLE GLASS EXPLODED IN DRIVER'S FACE . THE GLASS EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 1996
Jan 1995 Injury

REAR HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER ON RIGHT SIDE FELL OFF WHILE IN USE AND DOOR FELL DOWN ON OWNER CAUSING INJURIES. TT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 1994
Nov 1994

LEFT REAR DOOR HINGE FAILED, CAUSING DOOR TO STICK. *SKD

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1994 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 1994

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 1994 Nissan Pathfinder has 22 Structure complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.