Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 8.0× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
217Complaints
4Recalls
18Crashes
2Fires
17Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Suspension (19.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Suspension complaints here are 8.0× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Suspension
42 · 19.4%
not available
—
Suspension:front
28 · 12.9%
not available
—
Suspension:rear
28 · 12.9%
not available
—
Steering
20 · 9.2%
Recalled
Recall 11V244000
Tires
14 · 6.5%
not available
—
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
10 · 4.6%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP8 · 3.7%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8 · 3.7%
Unspecified / other7 · 3.2%
Percentages are the share of the 217 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
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 T… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHAKES AS IF THERE MAY BE A LOSS OF CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 10152590 — filed 03/13/2006 · SUSPENSION
“FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMED TO GET WORSE…”NHTSA complaint 10088359 — filed 08/22/2004 · SUSPENSION
“WHEN DRIVING AT 50MPH OR HIGHER IF VEHICLE HIT A PUMP OR UNEVEN PATCH ON FREEWAY VEHICLE SWAYS AND ROCKS, MAKING DRIVER UNABLE TO CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 8008553 — filed 04/24/2002 · SUSPENSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?
Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 42 of 217 NHTSA complaints (19.4%), followed by suspension:front (28), suspension:rear (28), steering (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder have?
217 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V244000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.