1999 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 8%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder, 8% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 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.
“My service engine soon light came on after I filled it up with gas. Was told it was an oxygen sensor problem and then the code was cleared. Light came on again and it can't be seen at dealer for another week. A few months ago I had to get the transmission replaced and the rear and front shocks replaced and the car is only 3 years old. The company says that that happens sometimes.”
NHTSA complaint #10010571, filed 2003-03, 49,000 miles“I have a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder se with 45,000 miles on it. The other day, I had to have it towed to a transmission specialist as the transmission gave out as I was returning from work. The vehicle is in excellent condition all over with the exception of the transmission which just cost me $2,568 to get rebuilt. The transmission specialist informed me that I was the 3rd 1999 Nissan Pathfinder that he received there with less than 45,000 miles on them, all were manufactured in november, 1998, and that he had to rebuild the transmission on each one pf them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10211949, filed 2007-12, 45,122 miles“When in 4-wheel h and consumer shifts to 2 wheel h, it will not engage. Also on 6 jan 2001, complete transmission failure. Dealer cannot find cause, dealer stated that consumer should exit the vehicle and rock it back and forth to engage the transmission when it locks up, consumer states that this indicates that the transmission does not operate as intended.”
NHTSA complaint #877623, filed 2001-01“Consumer can not get 4-whell drive to operate properly. Was told by dealer that the manual was wrong, that the selector lever was to be in 'park' and then was told that it was a matter of technique. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #550562, filed 2000-01“Drivetrain winds up with a clunk . Tsb does not fix problem, no fix currently available. Annoying and possible drivetrain damage will eventually occur. Not on a previous models I have owned.”
NHTSA complaint #702604, filed 1999-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 27% |
| 2025 | 8 | 14% |
| 2024 | 9 | 10% |
| 2023 | 13 | 12% |
| 2022 | 17 | 12% |
| 2020 | 9 | 17% |
| 2019 | 9 | 12% |
| 2018 | 12 | 15% |
| 2017 | 34 | 18% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 77 | 24% |
| 2014 | 215 | 37% |
| 2013 | 371 | 42% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 16% |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 155 | 47% |
| 2007 | 337 | 60% |
| 2006 | 450 | 54% |
| 2005 | 585 | 56% |
| 2004 | 9 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 8% |
| 1998 | 20 | 13% |
| 1997 | 19 | 9% |
| 1996 | 12 | 8% |
| 1995 | 20 | 12% |
| 1994 | 10 | 11% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 9 | 30% |
| 1991 | 14 | 36% |
| 1990 | 13 | 34% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
35 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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