Worst 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Steering Defects
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 34 | 1 | — | 124,204 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 1 | — | 129,392 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 14 | — | — | 47,890 mi | |
| Body Structure | 11 | — | — | 117,725 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 3 | — | 113,616 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 9 | — | — | 88,965 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | 3 | — | 141,333 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | 146,026 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | 1 | 64,710 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | — | — | 142,810 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | 1 | — | 50,990 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 5 | — | — | 81,660 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,594,614 vehicles.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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.
NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE OF THE WAFERS. AS A RESULT, THE REMAINING WAFERS IN THE INFLATOR USED FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY, OVER TIME, BREAK UP INTO POWDER DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSES THE COMBUSTION RATE OF THE PROPELLANT TO INCREASE INSIDE THE INFLATOR, WHICH CAN LEAD TO INTERNAL PRESSURE RISING SUDDENLY DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Other Nissan Pathfinder Years
2002 Nissan Pathfinder — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
What are common problems with the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
How safe is the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
Does the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2002 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 2002 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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