Worst 1997 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Suspension:Front
Suspension:Rear
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 42 | 2 | — | 132,555 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 28 | 1 | — | 137,032 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 28 | — | — | 98,481 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 20 | — | — | 140,467 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 14 | 2 | — | 180,000 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 10 | 1 | — | 90,000 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 9 | — | — | 127,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 | 6 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 7 | — | — | 82,798 mi | |
| Body Structure | 6 | — | — | 111,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 2 | — | 42,840 mi | |
| Airbags | 5 | 2 | — | 62,615 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~195,991 vehicles.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Other Nissan Pathfinder Years
1997 Nissan Pathfinder — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
What are common problems with the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?
How safe is the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?
Does the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Should I buy a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Pathfinder reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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