Worst 2003 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Suspension Failures
Fuel System
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 18 | — | — | 54,820 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 18 | 1 | — | 135,640 mi | |
| Fuel System | 13 | — | — | 137,047 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | 2 | 1 | 135,984 mi | |
| Airbags | 12 | 3 | — | 131,995 mi | |
| Body Structure | 8 | — | — | 160,004 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 6 | — | — | 105,969 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | 1 | 1 | 35,399 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Instrument Cluster | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering:Column | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,594,522 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 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.
Other Nissan Pathfinder Years
2003 Nissan Pathfinder — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
What are common problems with the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder?
How safe is the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder?
Does the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2003 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 2003 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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