1990 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
- Complaints
- 38filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 192,412miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- 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
- 16 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 18 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 14 complaints (37% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (13) and fuel system (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 192,412 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Engine cooling14 37%
- Fuel system3 7.9%
- Seat belts3 7.9%
- Tires2 5.3%
- Brakes1 2.6%
- Electrical system1 2.6%
- Exterior lighting1 2.6%
- Body and structure1 2.6%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Exhaust manifold studs have broken on both manifolds at an estimated repair bill of $800. We have no choice to have it repaired as we cannot receive our emmission test approval to get our vehicle registered (1990 Pathfinder) there is no warning for this defect and it was not detected last may because it did pass the inspection at that time. The bolts on the valve covers work themselves loose and I am able to move them with my bare fingers. Also, we can not figure out why the high-beam of the left front headlight won't work.”
NHTSA complaint #10060326, filed 2004-03, 226,904 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Transmission failure. Transmission failed due to failure of internal componenets. There seem to be a large number of complaints around the transmission of the 1990 Nissan pathfinders. I have had 2 transmission failures in 10 years of ownership. The primary driver of the vehicle for the first five years was different than the primary driver for the second five years. This seems to be a recurring problem. In addition my dealer informed me that Nissan did redesign the transmission because of failure of the transmission. Thi is a huge problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #746898, filed 2001-06Fuel system: “When driving consumer noticed black smoke coming from engine compartment. Loss of all brakes and clutch when the vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment, cause of fire may be linked to the fuel injector which possible had a crack causing a leak which caused the fire. Vehicle was a total loss. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #866980, filed 2000-08Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 157,921 and 226,904 miles.
Complaints 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 1990 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 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Pathfinder 2WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| Pathfinder 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
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, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: 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, 1990Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: 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 1990 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 | 69 · 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 1990 Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 14 complaints (37% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 13.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Nissan Pathfinder get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder (Pathfinder 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 192,412 miles and the middle half falls between 157,921 and 226,904 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.