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BrakesPart report

1998 Nissan Pathfinder Brakes Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
10%of 149 total for the year
Median mileage
82,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, 10% of the 149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“As I was approaching the end of an exit ' I put my foot on the brakes to slow down but instead the car took off at an excessive speed while I watched in horror and fearing for my life. It kept going until it hit a free . The car was totaled. I escaped with minor injuries. The problem I have is that I had dropped collision a few months before so now I'm out of a car and about $6,000.00 for which the car was more or less worth.”

NHTSA complaint #10316351, filed 2010-03, 110 miles

“Load sensing valve ---bracket welded to differential has rusted off. Spring applying tension to load sensing valve is no longer connected to the bracket thus making the valve inoperable. Rear brake pressure no longer controlled by the valve depending on load. Increased chance of rear wheel lock up and loss of control.”

NHTSA complaint #10417744, filed 2011-08, 90,500 miles

“This complaint is regarding morley vehicle services (hereinafter mvs ) & Nissan north america, inc. (hereinafter nnai ) improperly handling a recent recall on his 1998 nisan Pathfinder (hereinafter vehicle ). 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, we delivered the vehicle to autonation Nissan arapahoe (hereinafter an ) on march 7, 2014 for inspection due to safety recalls, at least 1 of which affects steering & breaks, & could result in a crash. Concerned about this issue we made sure an was aware of all the publicly reported recalls on the vehicle & abnormal performance related to the breaks & steering. …”

NHTSA complaint #10586846, filed 2014-05

“When I tried to accelerate my vehicle, the gas pedal will sometimes stick and when I get enough pressure on the pedal it will then lurch the vehicle forward. The brakes squeal continuously when the weather is above freezing. I have had it in numerous times to the local Nissan dealer and they can not find anything wrong with them. The vehicle's ABS systems seems to grab before it should when the ground is dry with gravel or there is snow or ice on the ground. Eems to.”

NHTSA complaint #721903, filed 2000-04

“The contact owns a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the brakes failed. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated causing her to crash into a brick wall. The contact stated that the air bags deployed and injured the front passenger's eyes and her hand. A police report filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 04/30/13”

NHTSA complaint #10484775, filed 2012-11, 200,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026320%
20251119%
20242630%
20232221%
20223526%
2020815%
20191418%
20182127%
2017116%
20161413%
2015268%
2014427%
2013678%
201229%
2011613%
201025%
2009514%
200893%
200751%
200691%
2005182%
20041522%
20031312%
200274%
2001115%
20001110%
199966%
19981510%
1997157%
1996159%
1995116%
199455%
199336%
199213%
199113%
199013%
198917%

Other parts of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

Suspension
47 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
20 complaints
Vehicle speed control
16 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Fuel system
12 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Air bags
10 complaints
Tires
9 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Engine cooling
6 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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