1998 Nissan Pathfinder Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 9%of 149 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 112,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, 9% of the 149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 112,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“The strut housing on the driver's side rusted completely and broke . It caused the inner fender to touch the brake master cylinder. I had to pay to have this repaired out of pocket, and then received a recall notice several months later. I would like to know what the next step is for reimbursement.”
NHTSA complaint #10436283, filed 2011-11, 110,000 miles“This is for my Nissan Pathfinder 1998 model vehicle. From about 2008 I am noticing corrosion from under the vehicle. I was not able to find where to log a complaint,now I know. 1). The bottom of the car rusting completely I think. 2. There is big noise from the bottom of the car feeling like something could be rusted and broken. 3. The 2 side running boards are corroded and broken and separated from the vehicle. I don't feel safe driving this vehicle now.”
NHTSA complaint #10332175, filed 2010-05, 80,000 miles“I am having multiple issues with my 1998 Nissan Pathfinder due to corrosion. The most recent incident was while I was driving my muffler fell off. I took it to a shop and when they raised the vehicle, the entire exhaust system had corrosion and holes from it. This was followed by last years strut housing corrosion which broke off the strut from the frame of the vehicle while I was driving. I lost brakes and had to step on pedal all the way, and then the vehicle gradually came to a stop. The recall notice came after the incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10443291, filed 2012-01, 185,000 miles“I discovered that the left front strut tower has begun to tear away from the rest of the body at its base. There is visible corrosion at the base. I recently noticed unusual swaying after hitting bumps at highway speed. The top of the strut tower is obviously out of alignment with the opposite tower. The brake line to the left front wheel is now under stress. There have been no known collisions with the vehicle. No known incident to cause damage. No heavy off-road. Veh. Has been used to tow.”
NHTSA complaint #10235441, filed 2008-07, 112,000 miles“Front left wheel well at strut mount has rusted through at 155000 making it impossible to drive car. Have found other examples of this problem on the internet. Problem could result in a serious accident if failure occurs while towing. Dealer says car can be repaired for $3000. Contacted Nissan to see if they will pay for all/part of repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10324981, filed 2010-04, 155,000 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 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSeat 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 27, 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