1987 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 14 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling (5) and vehicle speed control (3). Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts7 37%
- Engine cooling5 26%
- Seats2 11%
- Steering2 11%
- Fuel system1 5.3%
- Body and structure1 5.3%
- Suspension1 5.3%
Also reported: Tires (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The floor under the back seat rusted through. Seat belt anchors were rusted so that they probably would have pulled out in an accident. Exhaust was coming into the passenger compartment thru the floor. The same problem was reported to you (by other Pathfinder owners) for 1987 through 1996 pathfinders(probably about 20 times)the problem was discovered whent he rear seat was folded down to use the extended cargo area. The repair cost $2000.”
NHTSA complaint #738838, filed 2001-01Vehicle speed control: “Accelerator pedal gets stuck, and consumer has to physically force accelerator to become unstuck. Vehicle accelerates to higher speeds due to such force. Dealer was notified., and inspected the problem 2 years when the problem first occurred. Problem has occurred the same way.”
NHTSA complaint #8007424, filed 2002-04Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Nissan Pathfinder version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 14 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 13 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 90V072000Apr 17, 1990Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Nissan Pathfinder 1987–1990, D21 1986–1990, 720 1983–1986 +1 more
Incorrect tire inflation pressures were printed on certification labels.
- 87V137000Sep 4, 1987Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Nissan Pathfinder 1987
Mismatch of male and female rear seat belt assemblies.
Recall details for the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10031305Sep 30, 2010Tires. Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. *pe updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10032506Sep 13, 2010Equipment. Nissan: vent control valve replacement. When replacing the evap canister vent control valve for reason: use the one listed on page 2; for vent control valve replacement procedure, refer to the…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Electrical system. Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle electronic components…
- 10017473Oct 28, 2005Seat belts. Front seat belt latch plate retaining button missing.
Other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 76,900 | 0 | 5 | 23 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 57 | 9,000 | 1 | 5 | 23 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 86 | 13,500 | 2 | 5 | 23 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 107 | 15,800 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 68 · More | Too new |
| 2022 | 136 | 11,500 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 53 | 19,700 | 0 | 5 | 23 | 7 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2019 | 76 | 40,000 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 26 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2018 | 78 | 16,000 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 188 | 42,710 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 63 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 105 | 48,900 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 321 | 44,254 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 96 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 576 | 47,500 | 11 | 5 | 22 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 891 | 15,000 | 11 | 4 | 22 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2012 | 23 | 87,000 | 2 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 45 | 46,000 | 2 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 40 | 111,386 | 4 | — | 18 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 37 | 91,000 | 3 | — | 17 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 328 | 106,534 | 4 | — | 17 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 561 | 99,123 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 837 | 93,000 | 3 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 1,050 | 90,024 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 67 | 76,684 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 110 | 100,750 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 156 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 230 | 99,782 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 112 | 124,697 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 104 | 130,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 149 | 112,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 217 | 113,400 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 159 | 121,000 | 3 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 170 | 127,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 91 | 127,500 | 2 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 49 | 141,500 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 30 | 123,698 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 39 | 157,016 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 38 | 192,412 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 17 | 148,000 | 2 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 19 | — | 2 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
All Nissan Pathfinder model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 5.
Has the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder (Pathfinder 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 14 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.