1996 Nissan Pathfinder Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, 7% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Intermittently vehicle will not start. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The starter and the ignition switch was replaced but the problem remained the same. The engine light would come on. The dealer was unable to find the problem. The gas pedal would stick intermittently and jolt forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10105578, filed 2005-01, 125,000 miles“Car has many after market parts which are old and rusted which causes the entire vehicle to break down even after replacing many parts also when searching gor parts its hard to find I have to get parts for a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder when my vehicle is a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder”
NHTSA complaint #11057162, filed 2017-12“I have had the ecu on my 1996 Pathfinder xe replaced two times within the 1 year of owning it. At this rate I will never own another Nissan again. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #10016178, filed 2003-04“Power steering had just been replaced, vehicle traveling at 40-50 MPH when loss of control (spinning) due to possible steering failure causing vehicle collision, no deployment of air bags during collision resulting in head injury. Mjs”
NHTSA complaint #545111, filed 1999-04“Vehicle fails to start at low temperatures/ high altitute upon cold startup. Very dangerous in remote areas of colorado in the winter as temperatures begin to drop.”
NHTSA complaint #737757, filed 2000-12Related service bulletins
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192192Jun 7, 2013As part of an enhanced emissions test for Inspection & Maintenance (I/M), some States may require the System Readiness Test (SRT) status be checked. - The SRT is used to indicate…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 13% |
| 2025 | 7 | 12% |
| 2024 | 17 | 20% |
| 2023 | 24 | 22% |
| 2022 | 20 | 15% |
| 2020 | 12 | 23% |
| 2019 | 10 | 13% |
| 2018 | 14 | 18% |
| 2017 | 27 | 14% |
| 2016 | 11 | 10% |
| 2015 | 27 | 8% |
| 2014 | 33 | 6% |
| 2013 | 50 | 6% |
| 2012 | 3 | 13% |
| 2011 | 4 | 9% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 11% |
| 2008 | 21 | 6% |
| 2007 | 25 | 4% |
| 2006 | 34 | 4% |
| 2005 | 66 | 6% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 7% |
| 1995 | 8 | 5% |
| 1994 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 2 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 2 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
64 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTires
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology