Nissan PathfinderModel year report

1989 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Complaints: 15filed 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: 15 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seat belts (4) and vehicle speed control (3). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, 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.

Example complaints

Seat belts: “After campaign 95v103002 was done in march 1996, experienced shoulder/lap buckle failure, when buckle detached, allowing driver to impact with interior.”

NHTSA complaint #985145, filed 1996-05

Vehicle speed control: “Vehicle was put in reverse ,went immediately into high speed backwards, hit tree driver. Put vehicle into neutral ,jumped gear into drive, brakes did not hold ,had to hit another tree in order to stop.throttle stuck wide open which caused the vehicle to go out of control, resutling in injuries to driver.”

NHTSA complaint #824676, filed 1998-06

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1989 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 2WD	3.0L 6-cyl	4-speed automatic	15	16	15	$4,450
Pathfinder 2WD	3.0L 6-cyl	5-speed manual	14	17	15	$4,450
Pathfinder 4WD	2.4L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	15	18	16	$4,200
Pathfinder 4WD	3.0L 6-cyl	5-speed manual	14	17	15	$4,450
Pathfinder 4WD	3.0L 6-cyl	4-speed automatic	13	15	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

95V103002May 24, 1995
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Covers: Nissan Pathfinder 1988–1991, Sentra 1987–1991, Van 1987–1990 +6 more
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
90V072000Apr 17, 1990
Equipment › Other › Labels
Covers: Nissan Pathfinder 1987–1990, D21 1986–1990, 720 1983–1986 +1 more
Incorrect tire inflation pressures were printed on certification labels.

Recall details for the 1989 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 1989 Nissan Pathfinder have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by seat belts with 4.

Has the 1989 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 1989 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 1989 Nissan Pathfinder (Pathfinder 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 15 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 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.