2003 Nissan Pathfinder Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 12%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder, 12% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,250 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“While driving 2003 Nissan Pathfinder I hit pothole on a city street, heard loud bang, shortly after completely lost all braking abilities, upon bringing my vehicle home and examining I notice the right front strut housing had separated from frame snapping the brake line on the right front. Appears to be the same corrosion issue as the recall on the left front strut housing.”
NHTSA complaint #11083616, filed 2018-04, 177,025 miles“Driving home from work on freeway with 1/4 tank of fuel - engine stalled in fast lane and would not restart. I was stuck in the traffic lane for 40 mins until the state police had a tow truck tow me away. Turns out, the fuel gauge was inaccurate because my tank was empty. My gauge goes above the f when I fill up and it is empty at just above a the 1/4 mark. Very dangerous situation and I could have been killed over a faulty gas gauge that seems to be a big problem after seeing all of the complaints on the internet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10488758, filed 2012-12, 73,000 miles“While traveling at a speed of less than 30 MPH in the left turn lane I heard a loud grinding noise that felt like the gears stuck. The car then suddenly and without warning, revved up,speed forward with the steering wheel locked to the right. The steering and brakes were non responsive, and I had no control. My car, at a high rate of speed, crossed three additional lanes striking a telephone pole(actually split the pole in 2 places), transformer, fire hydrant, and finally rolling down a hill where it came to rest in a parking lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10352198, filed 2010-08, 101,500 miles“Consumer took vehicle to dealer five times for brake problems. When depressing the brake pedal vehicle pulsated and made a rubbing noise. Dealer rotated and replaced the rotors, ABS actuator, and the whole braking system.”
NHTSA complaint #10050357, filed 2003-12, 4,667 miles“Unintended acceleration at red light and in parking lot. Low brake pedal when applied, foot hits gas pedal while braking. This is a very dangerous problem that other Pathfinder owners reported.”
NHTSA complaint #10016918, filed 2003-05, 1,750 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 20% |
| 2025 | 11 | 19% |
| 2024 | 26 | 30% |
| 2023 | 22 | 21% |
| 2022 | 35 | 26% |
| 2020 | 8 | 15% |
| 2019 | 14 | 18% |
| 2018 | 21 | 27% |
| 2017 | 11 | 6% |
| 2016 | 14 | 13% |
| 2015 | 26 | 8% |
| 2014 | 42 | 7% |
| 2013 | 67 | 8% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 6 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 5 | 14% |
| 2008 | 9 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 18 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 22% |
| 2003 | 13 | 12% |
| 2002 | 7 | 4% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
| 2000 | 11 | 10% |
| 1999 | 6 | 6% |
| 1998 | 15 | 10% |
| 1997 | 15 | 7% |
| 1996 | 15 | 9% |
| 1995 | 11 | 6% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
25 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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