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2002 Nissan Pathfinder Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the suspension (28% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles). It is 10th of 26 Pathfinder model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2002 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Suspension
43 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Over 40 MPH, I get a rear end sway or wobble when accelerating in my '02 Nissan Pathfinder . Sway reverses when I let up on the gas. Feels like I'm losing control of the vehicle. I was told by an online mechanic that it was most likely the rear suspension links for the rear differential, the bushings are torn or…
Shortly after entering freeway I heard a loud "pop" and the steering wheel grabbed to the right. Due to light snow and icy conditions at the time I almost lost control of the vehicle. After pulling over I noticed the front right coil spring had snapped at about the first coil up from the bottom.
Engine
40 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
Cracked resonator/catalytic converter at 60k miles. Was told that the parts were no covered by Nissan, that there hasn't been a recall, but to purchase a 'fix' kit. It appears that this is common with the Pathfinder and Nissan will not recall the items.
I own a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder with 97,000. Miles on it. There is a crack in the exhaust manifold that has been getting louder over the last 24 months and recently I have begun to smell exhaust inside the car. This apparently is a manufacturing defect and should be corrected by Nissan.
Body and structure
18 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I brought it to my mechanic we looked at the frame under the cars front end it is clucking there is excessive rust, perforated steel and disconnected from other parts very dangerous. I bought this car new from smithtown nissian in 2002 I am the original owner. I called smithtown Nissan they said they have recalls for…
Recall #11v244000 applies to my issue. Both front aprons rotted. Confimed by my local sts. My VIN # is not covered somehow. Never received notice of campaign. Told by Nissan dealer I'm not covered.
Steering
17 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 121,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar.
Shortly after entering freeway I heard a loud "pop" and the steering wheel grabbed to the right. Due to light snow and icy conditions at the time I almost lost control of the vehicle. After pulling over I noticed the front right coil spring had snapped at about the first coil up from the bottom.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the steering wheel locking mechanism failed to unlock and the contact constantly had to maneuver and adjust the steering wheel to insert the key. The contact was able to insert the key after numerous attempts. The contact mentioned that the vehicle…
Speed control
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 163,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Accelerator stuck as I was exiting the freeway. The vehicle became very hard to stop. After shutting off the engine and restarting the engine raced to high RPM's before I shut it off. Will take to the mechanic.
I own a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder, 4WD, automatic transmission. The vehicle has 167000 miles. I have never previously had a problem with the vehicle. I was driving the vehicle on 7 may 2011. I was doing 35 MPH and noticed that the vehicle was not slowing after I took my foot off of the accelerator pedal. I tapped and…
Transmission
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
Car had viration during test drive before purchase. Dealer said minor problem and would be fixed. 8 trips and many repairs and parts by dealer over 3 month period, same vibration problem still exists. Car is impossible to drive over 55 MPH due to constant viration that I fear may develope into a larger problem and…
Vehicle jerks shortly after placing in the "park" position. Three times the vehicle has rolled back while in the park position and one of these episode's was while I was walking behind the vehicle. I am very concerned with this incident and I am unable to locate any information regarding the problem.
Air bags
9 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: frontal.
I was involved in an accident which caused extensive damage to the front of my car. I hit another vehicle at a speed of 50 MPH. However, my airbags did not deploy which appears to be a major malfunction. I want the NHTSA to investigate Nissan for a serious product deficiency. Ak
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, she passed out behind the wheel. The vehicle continued to drive with her foot steadily depressing the accelerator pedal and the contact crashed into a telephone pole. Upon impact, the driver's side airbag did not…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 150,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that after refueling, fuel would spew back out of the fuel filler tube due to corrosion. The contact was made aware of recall NHTSA campaign number: 07v435000 (fuel system, gasoline). The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware…
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, fuel started to leak. After inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the filler neck was completely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began february 12, 2020. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 maxima, 2002-2006 sentra, 2002-2004 pathfinder, 2007-2011 versa sedan and versa hatchback, 2001-2004 infiniti i30 and i35, 2002-2003 inifiniti qx4, 2003-2008 infiniti fx35 and fx45 and 2006-2010 m35 and m45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on march, 31, 2017. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain 2002 pathfinder and infiniti qx4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
Air bags
Risk: 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.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on june 15, 2015. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: on december 18, 2015 nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 infiniti fx35 and fx45 vehicles.
Full defect summary
Nissan north america, inc. (nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 nissan maxima, 2002-2004 pathfinder, 2002-2006 sentra, 2002-2003 infiniti qx4 and i35, 2003 fx35 and fx45, and 2001 i30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Suspension: front
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: The inflator housing may rupture and pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants.
Fix: Nissan will notify the owners of the forty-six affected vehicles. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module assembly with a new one free of charge. The safety recall began on august 19, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 and infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
Full defect summary
Nissan is recalling forty-six certain model year 2002 pathfinder and infiniti qx4 vehicles manufactured from august 24, 2001 through august 28, 2001. The air bag inflator contains propellant wafers that are required to properly deploy the front passenger air bag. Due to improper propellant wafer installation during the air bag inflator assembly process, some air bag inflators may be missing one of the wafers. As a result, the remaining wafers in the inflator used for the deployment of the front passenger air bag may, over time, break up into powder due to normal vibration experienced while driving. This causes the combustion rate of the propellant to increase inside the inflator, which can lead to internal pressure rising suddenly during air bag deployment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Frame/body structure corrosion
Summary
In their defect information report (dir) of april 20, 2011, nissan north america, inc. (nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 nissan pathfinder and 1997-2003 infinity qx4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.the vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia.the dir states in part, ...the st
Questions about the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (43 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); engine (40 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); body and structure (18 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 9, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Nissan Pathfinder?
- It is 10th of 26 Pathfinder model years by number of complaints, with 156 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.