1998 Nissan Pathfinder Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 11%of 149 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, 11% of the 149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 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.
“I have a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, there are severe problems with the accelerator. Whenever I give it gas to make it driver, the gas pedal, sticks and then unexpectedly catches and send the vehicle almost out of control. It's been this way since I bought it, used, over a year ago. Yet it's getting worse. Very dangerous, indeed.”
NHTSA complaint #10361319, filed 2010-10, 125,000 miles“Driving down the hwy and SUV started rocking back and forth side to side severely..I had to brake fast ..then when I accelerated it wobbled worse...I thought I was going to roll...could not go over 30...very dangerous and scary...I looked it up on forums to see if anyone else has had this problem....everybody that owns them has had this experience at all different mileages..they refer to it as the death wobble online...millions of vehicles have this problem from faulty bushings and trailing arms....yet they Nissan refuse to recall or pay to fix it...here is nissans bulletin I found after…”
NHTSA complaint #10712557, filed 2015-04, 150,000 miles“On march 11, 2003, my Nissan Pathfinder was involved in an incident of unexplained sudden acceleration. The vehicle was already shifted into drive, and my foot was on the brake pedal while I was waiting for a red light to change. Suddenly, the Pathfinder lurched forward at a high speed. Almost simultaneously, I heard a loud noise coming out of the motor. The noise sounded like the one produced by an increase in the number of motor revolutions. I turned off the engine immediately when I realized that that I could not stop the vehicle by depressing the foot pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10036981, filed 2003-09, 32,149 miles“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 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 8 | 9% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 7% |
| 2018 | 9 | 12% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 27 | 8% |
| 2014 | 26 | 5% |
| 2013 | 47 | 5% |
| 2010 | 4 | 10% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 24 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 2% |
| 2005 | 31 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
| 2000 | 9 | 8% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 16 | 11% |
| 1997 | 16 | 7% |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 7 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 3 | 20% |
| 1987 | 3 | 16% |
Other parts of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 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 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