2003 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,950miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder, 3% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,950 miles. 1 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 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“2003 Nissan Pathfinder automatic transmission does not shift properly. It jerks into gear or drags before shifting. Dealer has been non-responsive and has claimed no existence of service bulletins.”
NHTSA complaint #10047189, filed 2003-11, 400 milesTransmission 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 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
25 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsFuel system
19 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 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