JN8HD17Y9PW3045621993 NISSAN Pathfinder
1993 NISSAN Pathfinder was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 56 owner complaints include 5 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
Executive Summary
1993 NISSAN Pathfinder
1993 NISSAN Pathfinder was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 56 owner complaints include 5 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 5 injuries reported across 56 owner complaints
- Common owner-reported issues: rust/corrosion, fire
56 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (52%), Body/Structure (14%), Suspension/Wheels (11%). Common issues: rust/corrosion, fire. 2 crashes reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- NISSAN
- Model
- Pathfinder
- Year
- 1993
- Trim / Series
- Wagon body style
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.0L
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LTD
- Assembly
- MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA, JAPAN
- GVWR
- Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: MIYAWAKA, FUKUOKA
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ▸3 complaint(s) involved a fire
- ⚠5 injuries reported in complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
Deferred Failure Risk
Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones
Owners of the 1993 NISSAN Pathfinder report engine/powertrain issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Owners of the 1993 NISSAN Pathfinder report body/structure issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Owners of the 1993 NISSAN Pathfinder report suspension/wheels issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEAR5 injuries reported across 56 complaints — elevated injury rate for this class of vehicle.
Complaint Intelligence
56 complaints analyzed across 11 system categories
Engine And Engine Cooling leads owner complaints (46%), most reported when the vehicle was 3–5 yrs old. Also common: Structure (16%), Service Brakes (7%).
Based on 51 complaints with a reported incident date. Too few owners cited mileage (5) to report a reliable failure-mileage range.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME56 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
THIS IS THE SECOND 1993 NISSAN PATHFINDER I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME. THE REAR CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY RUSTS OUT AND FALLS OFF THE PROBLEM IS VARY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY TO OTHER DRIVERS BUT IT ALSO SEVERS THE REAR BRAKE LINE. I WAS DRIVING IN MY ALLY HIT A POT HOLE DOING MAYBE 10 TOPS WENT TO STOP AND COULD NOT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR MYSELF. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON ALL THE OLD MODEL FRAMES CUS IT IS A CONTINUES PROBLEM. *TR
REAR SUSPENSION HAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO EXTREME RUSTING OF FRAME RAILS. EXCESS MOVEMENT OF REAR AXLE FROM SEPARATION DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINE AND CAUSED LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. *TR
*NOTE: THE TIRES IN QUESTION ARE SIZE 235/75R15...THIS SIZE OPTION WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE DROP DOWN BOX./// BLOWOUT AND NEAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER FURTHER EVALUATION IT WAS DETERMINED THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD COLLAPSED UPON ENTERING A SLOW CURVE. THE CONDITION HAD EXISTED EARLIER AS THE SIDEWALLS WERE WORN TO THE THREADS BEING EXPOSED. AFTER FURTHER EVALUATION ;ALL FOUR TIRES SEEM TO HAVE A VERY FLIMSY AND SUB-STANDARD SIDEWALL CONSTRUCTION. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL ALL FOUR TIRES CAN BE REPLACED. *TR
I'M A CONSUMER WHO JUST HAD FOUR NEW COOPER DISCOVERER AST II TIRES INSTALLED ON A '93 NISSAN PATHFINDER. ALL FAILED WITHIN 709 MILES, APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH OF DRIVING. AFTER DRIVING TWO WEEKS AND 555 MILES, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT APPEARED TO FAIL AT THE BEAD. MY TIRE DEALER TURNED THE TIRE OVER TO A COOPER REP WHO EXAMINED THE TIRE AND SAID THE SHOP INSTALLED IT IMPROPERLY, LEADING TO THE FAILURE. THE SHOP DISAGREED WITH THE FINDING, BUT THEY REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE. TWO WEEKS AND 154 MILES LATER, I NOTICED THE THREE OTHER COOPERS WERE FAILING. THE REARS HAD SOFTBALL-SIZED BULGES ON THE TIRE WALL EXTENDING FROM THE BEAD TOWARD THE TREAD. THE RIGHT FRONT HAD A BASEBALL-SIZED BULGE IN THE SAME LOCATION. ALL THE BULGES WERE ON THE INBOARD, WHITEWALL SIDE OF THE TIRE. MY SHOP'S OWNER PERSONALLY PULLED THE TIRES, EXAMINED THEM, AND FOUND BARE BEAD WIRE ADJACENT TO THE BULGE. THE BARE WIRE WAS 1-2 INCHES LONG. HE SAYS THE LOCATION OF THE BARE WIRE/BULGE FALLS ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE TIRE DURING MOUNTING--A SPOT NOT CONTACTED BY THE MOUNTING BAR DURING INSTALLATION. FURTHERMORE, HE SAID HE FOUND NO SCUFFING INSIDE THE TIRE INDICATING CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BAR AND NO LOOSE RUBBER INSIDE THE TIRE, FURTHER INDICATIVE OF DAMAGE DURING MOUNTING. HE TRUSTS HIS INSTALLER, A 10-YEAR EMPLOYEE WHO INSTALLS 100 TIRES A WEEK. HE'S CONVINCED THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVELY MANUFACTURED. MY DEALER HAS FOLLOWED UP WITH COOPER. THE COMPANY INSISTS THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION, BUT IT WENT AHEAD AND CREDITED THE SHOP THE COST OF THE TIRES. MY DEALER HAD A SIMILAR FAILURE ON A COOPER LIFELINER SLE TIRE A MONTH EARLIER, AND COOPER DENIED ANY PROBLEMS ON THEIR PART IN THAT INCIDENT AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE COOPER ASTII, P235-75-15 I PULLED ONE DOT#...3D1TCLA2305 THANKS --- BRUCE STOFF, ITHACA NY. *NM
FRAME VERRY RUSTY AND BROKE IN REAR OF VEHICLE
THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE MANIFOLD STUDS BREAKING, RESULTING IN AN EXHAUST LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSES EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK
EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS DUE TO POOR QUALITY EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND/OR BOLTS. *LA
EXHUAST MANIFOLD STUDS KEEP BREAKING CAUSING LEAKAGE, FUMES, AND NOISE. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 45K MILES AT $500 TO $1200 PER INCIDENT. HAVE FILED COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS (INCIDENT 4259794). NISSAN DECLINED TO ASSIST BECAUSE THEY SAID VECHICLE WAS BEYOND USEFUL SERVICE LIFE. EVEN IF THAT WERE TRUE, THE REPAIRS I'M PAYING THEM FOR OVER AND OVER SHOULD HAVE A USEFUL SERVICE LIFE. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL DEALERS THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. COMMON NISSAN, FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. I JUST WANT TO HAVE IT FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL WITHOUT HAVING TO KEEP ON PAYING FOR THIS. CHECK OUT THIS FORUM HTTP://FORUMS.VMAG.COM/SUVPATHFINDER0200 WHERE THERE ARE LITERALLY 100'S OF COMPLAINTS.*AK
CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE REAR END FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF BODY ROT, AND IF IMPACTED IN AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD DISINTEGRATE.*JB
THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED ON 2 OCCASIONS.*JB
ODOMETER FRAUD.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS ARE BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES. DEALERSHIP WANTS $1400.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF AND DOES NOTHING TO COMPENSATE THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR. CAUSES EXHAST LEAKS INTO THE CAR.
BURNED THROUGH FLOOR, PAN OVER EXHAUST PIPE. FLAMMABLE PADDING UNDER CARPET CAUGHT FIRE.*AK
EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED,AND BOLTS WERE BROKEN, CAUSING EXHAUST FUMES TO LEAK INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN OUTDOOR VENT WAS OPEN.CONTACTED DEALER.THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
EVERY TIME VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP ENGINE DIES OUT. TAKES NUMEROUS TRIES TO GET VEHICLE TO RESTART. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL.*AK
BROKEN ENGINE EXHAUST STUDS; ALSO, OCCURRED IN 1994,1995 MODELS. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
BOTTOM OF VEHICLE/ RUNNING BOARD, AND REAR BUMPER BECAME RUSTED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
THE TIMING BELT OF THE VEHICLE BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED.THE PISTONS STUCK IN A CLOSED POSITION AND IT BENT THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WAS SEEKING PARTILA REFUND FOR BENT VALVE AND PISTON THAT WERE REPLACED. *YH
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO OPEN THE PASENGER DOOR BY USING THE KEY, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DOOR FOR THIS ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION IN WHICH THEY REMOVED THE DOOR PANEL AND CHANGED A BROKEN CLIP. YH
THE BRAKES FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. *YH
THE DEALER REPLACED THE GASKETS,STUDS,WASHERS AND NUTS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *YH
I HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH DESTROYED THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: RADIO, TRANSMISSION, ALTERNATOR, REAR DEFROSTER, REAR WIPERS, REAR WINDOW LOCK, POWER WINDOW MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS, RELAYS, TRANSMISSION SENDING UNITS. AT APPROXIMATELY 82000 MILES THE BATTERY EXPLODED EATING THE PAINT OFF THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. WITHIN A MONTH, I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I SAW SMOKE IN THE INTERIOR ACCOMPANIED BY ELECTRICAL SHORTING SOUNDS. THE WINDOWS WENT UP AND DOWN, HORN WENT OFF, POWER LOCKS POPPED, AND THE SOLENOIDS IN THE TRANSMISSION BURNED OUT ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPONENTS. ONLY THREE FUSES WERE BLOWN SO THE FUSE BLOCK WAS INEFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING FIRE. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE EXCEPT INTERMITTANT SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT RADIO SPEAKERS UNTIL THIS HAPPENED.*AK
REF. SERVICE BULLETIN #: FC0009202 / NHTSA ITEM #: SB035797 -- EXHAUST NOISE AND EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE DUE TO BROKEN MANIFOLD STUDS. AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, THE RIGHT MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE AT 36,705 MILES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BY NISSAN. AT 48,654 MILES, THE LEFT MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE AND WAS REPAIRED AT MY COST (APPROX $350). NOW, AT 113,500 MILES, THE LEFT MANIFOLD STUDS APPEAR TO BE BROKEN AND REQUIRE REPAIR. NISSAN REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR 1993 ENGINES. FOR 1995 & 1996 MODELS, THEY'VE EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. THEN, IN 1997, THEY INTRODUCED A NEW DESIGN WHICH CHANGED THE BOLT SIZE FROM 8MM TO 10MM BOLTS (RECTIFYING THE KNOWN PROBLEM). EVEN WITH SUCH AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, NISSAN REFUSES TO WARRANTEE THE REPAIRS! I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED REQUIRING NISSAN TO UPGRADE THE ENGINE/EXHAUST SYSTEMS IN THE PRE-1997 NISSAN PATHFINDERS (IN THAT, THIS BROKEN MANIFOLD STUDS PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO REOCCUR EVERY 50,000 MILES OR SO). THANK YOU. SINCERELY, MICHAEL J. *AKGALL. *AK
BOTH MY MANIFOLD HAVE FALLEN DOWN BECAUSE OF A BROKEN BOLT ON THE MOTOR, THEY TELL ME THIS IS A FAULT ON THES CARS. *AK
ON JUNE 14, 2000 MY SPOUSE AND I WERE RETURNING FROM VACATION DRIVING APPROX. 70 MPH ON I-35 EAST OF GREENVILLE, TX AND HAD JUST PASSED AN 18 WHEELER WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. WE WERE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND WERE VERY FORTUNATE IN MOVING IN FRONT OF THE 18 WHEELER AND OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER WITHOUT ROLLING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. THE TREAD CAME OFF AND TORE UP PART OF THE FENDER AREA AND WRAPPED UP OVER THE REAR BUMPER AND BROKE THE RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE PROCESS TO BE REIMBURSED BY FIRESTONE FOR OUR REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE REGIONAL FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. IN FORT WORTH SUGGESTET THAT IN ADDITIONAL TO THE $400.00 AMOUNT REQUESTED FOR NEW TIRES THAT WE ALSO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $80.00 EXPENSE TO HAVE THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. WE SUBMITTED ALL APPROPRIATE PAPERWORK ON AUGUST 16, 0000. AS OF OCTOBER 4, 0000 (SEVEN WEEKS) WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM FIRESTONE. WE ARE VERY UPSET WITH THEIR LACK OF RESPONSE. PLEASE ADVISE. BY THE WAY, WE HAD NINE TIRES ON TWO VEHICLES WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. FIVE OF THE TIRES (GOODYEAR) WERE REPLACED VERY QUICKLY AFTER WE RAISED CANE AND NO REIMBURSEMENT IS REQUIRED ON THESE FIVE TIRES. THANKS! (TIRESIZE: 23575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )
THE REAR BUMPER IS SEVERELY RUSTING AT THE CRASH PROTECTION SPOTS-- CHROME IS PEELING AND RUST IS PREDOMINANT, LIMITED TO THE 2 AREAS WHERE FASTENED TO THE FRAME-- EACH RUST AREA APPROX 5 INCHES SQUARE; ALSO, BOTH SIDE STEP RAILS THAT RUN THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE HAVE SEVERE RUST HOLES FORMING. *AK
DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLOWOUT ON FREEWAY, DAMAGED REAR OF CAR( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT AND HE PUT BRAKES ON. WHEN HE PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE TRANSMISSION SNAPPED IN HALF. *AK
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE OFF, CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK. *AK
#1 AND #2 CYLINDER EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKEN ONE YEAR APART...MANUFACTURER DEFECT? AS THERE APPEARS TO BE MANY REPORTS AND TSB, AND COSTLY TO REPAIR
THE DEALER REPLACED TWO STUDS WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY (6 YEAR / 60K MI). I RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR A TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT AND INSPECTION. THEY INFORMED ME I HAD THREE MORE BROKEN OR CRACKED STUDS. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME IT WOULD COST AROUND $1000.00 TO REPLACE ALL THE STUDS. I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL PATHFINDER BULLETIN BOARDS AND THIS IS A COMMON FACTORY DEFECT FOR SEVERAL YEARS OF PATHFINDER. I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD COVER THE COST OF PARTS AND AT LEAST 50% OF THE LABOR FOR REPAIRS.
SENDING UNIT ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK RUSTED RESULTING IN FAILURE. MJS
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FRONT END SHIMMY DUE TO BENT WHEEL RIM. MJS
DAMAGE TO THE FRAME UNDER THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE, ANCHOR POINTS WERE BOTH BENT INWARDS. MJS
THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, GAS ODOR AND NOISE, THAT HAPPENS TO ALMOST ALL PATHFINDERS.
VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR SAME DISCREPANCY 3 PREVIOUS TIMES. THIS IS THE FORTH OCCURRENCE. THE OCCURRENCES WERE AS FOLLOWS: 1. 06/11/96 (36,389 MILES) GRUBBS NISSAN REPLACED 2 RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS WHICH BROKE. NISSAN REPAIRED/REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. 2. 07/24/96 (37,549 MILES) GRUBBS NISSAN TIGHTENED EXHAUST MANIFOLD NUTS. 3. 11/28/97 (54,977 MILES) GRUBBS NISSAN REPLACED 6 LEFT SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS AND MACHINED WARPED MANIFOLD UNDER WARRANTY. 4. 11/12/98 (68,140 MILES) RETURNED VEHICLE TO GRUBBS NISSAN FOR EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK AGAIN. GRUBBS CONFIRED ALL 6 RIGHT SIDE STUDS REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AGAIN. GRUBBS AND NISSAN ARE UNWILLING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. I CONTACTED NISSAN ON 11/12/98 AND THEY OPENED CASE FILE #2739229. ON 11/17/98, GRUBBS CONTACTED ME AND ADVISED ME NISSAN WILL NOT OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON THIS REPETATIVE FAILURE. I CONFIRMED NISSAN OPENED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS DISCREPANCY IN APRIL 1994 UNDER TSB NO. 94041.
I WAS INFORMED BY A NISSAN DEALER THAT THE EXHAUST BOLTS NEED REPLACING AND POSSIBLY THE EXHAUST MANFOLD AT A COST OF APPOX $1300.00. I JUST VISITED THE NISSAN WEBSITE AND NOTICED THAT THIS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND NISSSN IS NOT ADDRESSING IT. ALSO, MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PATHFINDERS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS -OR- IF YOU HAVE A PROCEDURE OF INFORMING THE PUBLIC, PLEASE DO.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FAILED.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE.
THE EXHAUST PIPE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BURNED A HOLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED A FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM. *AK
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUD BROKE CAUSING FUMES.
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED IN SECURED PARKING LOT. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THEY HAD OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS. MANUFACTURER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT. DEALER INSTALLED NEW WINDOW FOR $38.OO
FUMES FROM A LEAKING EXHAUST ARE NOTICABLE IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT.
FUMES FROM A LEAKING EXHAUST ARE NOTICABLE IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT.
SEAT BELT WAS FASTENED BUT THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED AND KILLED.
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING A LEAK. *AK
THE MIDDLE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK AND BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT, THE BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
REAR BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE PULLED TO ONE SIDE WHEN BRAKING. *SD
FRONT BRAKES WORN. *SD
STEERING FOUND WORN IN CENTER LINE, CAUSING VIBRATION. *SD
REAR SEAT CAME UP FROM FLOOR AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT. TT
WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE JEEP ACCELERATE BY IT SELF PURCHASE JEEP NEW. TT
TRANSMISSION COMES IN AND OUT OF OVEDRIVE AT SPEEDS OF OVER 40MPH AND VIBRATION AND JERKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER AND RIP A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK CAUSING GAS LEAKAGE. TT
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 56 total NHTSA complaints filed over 13 years, with the worst year being 1998 (11 complaints).
The amber reliability line averaged 99/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 88/100 in 1995.
Notably, despite 56 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.
Red dots on the amber line flag 1995, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $33,114 (~$552/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 1993 NISSAN Pathfinder — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
NISSAN has been fined $3M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Failure to file required Early Warning Reports on vehicle defects.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JN8HD17Y9PW304562 |
| Model Year | 1993 |
| Make | NISSAN |
| Model | Pathfinder |
| Series | Wagon body style |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LTD |
| Assembly City | MIYAWAKA |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JN8 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 9 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | P |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | W |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 304562 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 56 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 11/2/2026, 11:57:40 AM.