1996 Nissan Pathfinder Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,168miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the body and structure of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, 7% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,168 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.
“When towing a camper with my 1996 Nissan Pathfinder the shocks gave out and caused the body of the car to drop down to rub on the wheels. After disconnecting the camper the body rose up to normal position and I looked under the vehicle and discovered that the frame area over the rear wheels on both sides is completely rotted. Checking my son-in-laws 1995 Pathfinder I discovered that his was as bad or worse than mine.”
NHTSA complaint #10273518, filed 2009-06, 95,000 miles“I started to experienced severe shaking,from side to side while driving on highway, on several occasions, effecting my steering and handling of the vehicle,when either changing lanes or when I hit a slight bump in the road. I honestly started to believe my car was about to roll over, thus causing injury to myself and possibly others while driving on the highway. I then decided to make an appointment with my local nizzan dealaship to find the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10380091, filed 2011-02, 126,168 miles“Brought my Pathfinder to star Nissan for the corrosion recall, I was told my car was too far gone to repair and they said that a rental car would be provided to me, at no cost while compensation for vehicle was being processed. I agreed to this, at the rental car location I was informed that Nissan will cover rental but not insurance, I have state required liability but not theft and collision as the car is a 1996 with 210000 miles on it and the premium out weight the value of the car. So I had to agree to the collision and fir, theft insurance of $9 a day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10554992, filed 2013-12, 210,000 miles“I bought this car a couple years ago and couldn't drive it right away because I bought it a little before I got my license. So eventually when I got it on the road I ended up getting a rejection sticker because the e break and a few other reasons. One thing I've noticed about my s.u.v is the wind shield wipers work when they want to. The whole underneath is rotted out, (that's what the guy told me who inspected my car) an ever since I've had it, I've had a problem with my steering, I've tried the power steering fluid didn't work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10723884, filed 2015-06“The contact owns a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it discovered that the frame was rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000 and the approximate current mileage was 164,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10535316, filed 2013-08, 157,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192289Dec 20, 2013Nissan is conducting a voluntary safety recall campaign on certain model year 1996 - 2004 Pathfinder vehicles that are currently registered in Salt States to inspect for…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 6 | 7% |
| 2022 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 4% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 83 | 9% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 12 | 11% |
| 2002 | 18 | 12% |
| 2001 | 30 | 13% |
| 2000 | 29 | 26% |
| 1999 | 18 | 17% |
| 1998 | 14 | 9% |
| 1997 | 17 | 8% |
| 1996 | 11 | 7% |
| 1995 | 58 | 34% |
| 1994 | 23 | 25% |
| 1993 | 9 | 18% |
| 1992 | 4 | 13% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
64 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTires
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsElectrical system
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