1996 Nissan Pathfinder Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 9%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, 9% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,500 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.
“This car is a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder with a slew of problems ranging from: ticking gas, and brake pedal, steering wheel shakes at highway speeds/ vibrating, heat shield, uneven wear of tire,leaking sunroof.”
NHTSA complaint #10033240, filed 2003-08, 65,000 miles“Vehicle fails to start without excessive engine crank time (apparently flooded engine problem). Usually occurs at higher altitudes in winter. Problem is getting progressively worse. Dealers have worked on vehicle a number of times over ~2 years with no improvement. New instructions provided in spring of 1998 on how to modify starting procedure do not work! I am sending a detailed letter of complaint to Nissan, north america. …”
NHTSA complaint #700121, filed 1998-10“Danger vehicle rocks violently after hitting a bump. Front struts changed 3 times (only 128000 miles on SUV). Both left and right exhaust manifold were cracked and replaced before 100000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #757051, filed 2002-01“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“While driving at any rate of speed vehicle will completely shut down, cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the cause of the problem. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #858971, filed 2000-03Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 11% |
| 2008 | 23 | 7% |
| 2007 | 128 | 23% |
| 2006 | 185 | 22% |
| 2005 | 290 | 28% |
| 2004 | 3 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 23% |
| 2002 | 35 | 22% |
| 2001 | 16 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 6% |
| 1998 | 6 | 4% |
| 1997 | 17 | 8% |
| 1996 | 14 | 9% |
| 1995 | 52 | 31% |
| 1994 | 35 | 38% |
| 1993 | 25 | 51% |
| 1992 | 8 | 27% |
| 1991 | 8 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 37% |
| 1989 | 4 | 27% |
| 1988 | 5 | 29% |
| 1987 | 5 | 26% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
64 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsTires
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsElectrical system
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 28, 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