2003 Nissan Pathfinder Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 17%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,760miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder, 17% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,760 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Fuel gauge is not reading correctly repeatedly have to top off my tank that costs me more money than it should to get back and forth to work because I ran out of gas and it costed me $200 to figure out that I need something done about the gas gauge there's so many complaints about this why has it Nissan done something about it they should not be able to just let this problem go on and stick the customers that pay thousands of dollars for the vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11373096, filed 2020-11, 123,000 miles“Everytime I fill my gas tank, the gas filler neck leaks, from what I can tell it is caused by corrosion. I;ve contacted mfctr. Nissan/manufacturer do not have any open recall campaign for the year of my vehicle, they do have an existing recall same issue/gas filler neck leaking on model and year of 1997 thru 2001”
NHTSA complaint #10781139, filed 2015-10, 140,000 miles“Fuel gauge does not work properly -- this has been an issue for 2 years now. When I fill it up, it shows as full, but will never go lower than just over 1/2 tank of gas. I have to reset and watch my mileage every time I fill up the tank, and make sure I refill it every 225 miles, to ensure I don't run out of fuel. My mechanic has done everything he can think of to fix the problem, but so far nothing has worked. I noticed I am not the only one to file a complaint about this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11384719, filed 2020-12, 160,000 miles“Fuel gauge indicated fuel tank was at least half full. Vehicle did not start because it was out of fuel. Mechanic replaced many things until it was discovered car was out of fuel. Cost me close to $1,000. Car could have run out of fuel on a highway while in the fast lane. Many owners have reported this problem on the internet. This is a safety issue. I am 74 years old and never had failed fuel gauge. I am told the whole instrument cluster needs to be replaced. No warning was ever provided by Nissan that this could happen. How many of their vehicles have this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11374682, filed 2020-11, 135,000 miles“Gas tank failure due to corrosion. After smelling a strong odor of gasoline I brought my 2003 Nissan Pathfinder to the dealer to have it checked, they discovered that the gas tank had rusted at the top of the tank underneath the rear seat allowing gasoline vapors to enter the interior as well as the exterior of the vehicle creating a potentially deadly situation. I was informed by the dealer that the gas tanks were on a national back order as none are available.”
NHTSA complaint #10328033, filed 2010-04, 113,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 3 | 5% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 23 | 22% |
| 2022 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 4 | 8% |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 9 | 5% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 11 | 3% |
| 2014 | 14 | 2% |
| 2013 | 26 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 81 | 25% |
| 2007 | 119 | 21% |
| 2006 | 231 | 28% |
| 2005 | 276 | 26% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 19 | 17% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 28 | 12% |
| 2000 | 10 | 9% |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 | 12 | 8% |
| 1997 | 10 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 2 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 3 | 8% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
25 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsBrakes
13 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