2002 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder.

20012003
Complaints
206
Crashes
19
Fires
1
Injuries
7
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2002 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#134 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:124,204 mi
Crash-related:1
#216 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:129,392 mi
Crash-related:1
#314 complaints

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Avg mileage:47,890 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder.

Suspension Failures
34
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
124,204
Steering Defects
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
129,392
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
47,890
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
117,725
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
113,616
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
88,965
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
141,333
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
146,026
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
64,710
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
142,810
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
50,990
Suspension:Rear
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,660
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

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.

20V008000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~307,962 affected

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.

17V068000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~46 affected

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.

15V287000Airbags
~1,090,569 affected

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.

11V244000Suspension:front · Steering:column
~195,991 affected

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.

10V312000Air Bags:frontal
~46 affected

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?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Nissan Pathfinder has 206 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 34 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (34 complaints, avg 124,204 mi); Steering Defects (16 complaints, avg 129,392 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System (14 complaints, avg 47,890 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 108,520 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder include 19 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,594,614 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

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.

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