CarModelProblems.com

2002 Nissan Pathfinder Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 3.5× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
156Complaints
9Recalls
15Crashes
1Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

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 (21.8% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Suspension complaints here are 3.5× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension34 · 21.8%not available
Steering16 · 10.3%RecalledRecall 11V244000
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System14 · 9%not available
Structure:body11 · 7.1%not available
Vehicle Speed Control10 · 6.4%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor9 · 5.8%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.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION34 · 21.8%
STEERING16 · 10.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM14 · 9%
STRUCTURE:BODY11 · 7.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10 · 6.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR9 · 5.8%
AIR BAGS8 · 5.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8 · 5.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7 · 4.5%
POWER TRAIN5 · 3.2%

Percentages are the share of the 156 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.

Recalls — 9 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V008000 · 2020 · reported 01/09/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V068000 · 2017 · reported 02/02/2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 15V287000 · 2015 · reported 05/15/2015

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:column

NHTSA campaign 11V244000 · 2011 · reported 04/20/2011

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

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 10V312000 · 2010 · reported 07/06/2010

THE INFLATOR HOUSING MAY RUPTURE AND PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006

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

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

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

Park it Park 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

“VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE AND STARTS TO WOBBLE (REAR SUSPENSION) AT 55 MPH AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS.. FEELS LIKE VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL.. NEED TO BRING…”NHTSA complaint 10565091 — filed 02/20/2014 · SUSPENSION
“2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURER RECALL ISSUE TO BUY BACK VEHICLE AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED NISSAN WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10544761 — filed 09/24/2013 · SUSPENSION
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED…”NHTSA complaint 10516245 — filed 06/11/2013 · SUSPENSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

820097212011892013151520157132017942019212022242024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?

Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 34 of 156 NHTSA complaints (21.8%), followed by steering (16), engine and engine cooling:exhaust system (14), structure:body (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder have?

156 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?

Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V008000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 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.