MotorDeets

1999 Nissan Pathfinder: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder: 2 recalls, 104 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.

2vehicle recalls
104owner complaints
15mention a crash
16best combined mpg
1999 Nissan Pathfinder
Photo: OSX · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Fuel system Vehicle recall #07V435000 · 2007 · 372,250 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, tennessee, vermont, virginia, west virginia , wisconsin and the district of columbia, during the coating process of the fuel filler tube assembly, an…

Why it matters: This May result in surface rust but not perforation of the tube. However, in those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, if a mixture of snow/water and salt makes contact with the bare metal, corrosion May occur to a degree which results in perforation of…

The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel filler tube assembly with a new one with an improved coating process. The recall began on November 26, 2007.

Suspension, Steering Vehicle recall #11V244000 · 2011 · 195,991 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: The strut housing May crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly. This May lead to grinding noises, increased steering effort, and possibly the steering column to break, resulting in the loss of steering control, which could result in a crash.

The fix: Nissan will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. An interim notification letter was sent out in May 2011. The second notice was mailed on July 25, 2011.

3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles

What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.

Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles

What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.

The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.

Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles

What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.

The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 21 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Suspension35
Steering20
Body & structure18
Airbags11
Tires9
Transmission & drivetrain8
Engine & cooling6
Other / unknown6

What owners describe

The 1999 Nissan Pathfinder has 104 owner complaints, ranking #19 of 36 Pathfinder model years for complaints (well below the 203 average). Complaints peaked in 2011 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 130,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (149 complaints, 2 recalls), 2000 (112 complaints, 2 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
3.3 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive141816Regular
3.3 L 6-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive151816Regular
3.3 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd2-Wheel Drive141816Regular
3.3 L 6-cylManual 5-spd2-Wheel Drive151816Regular
3.3 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive141715Regular
3.3 L 6-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive141615Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 1999 Nissan Pathfinder manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 1999 Nissan Pathfinder manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 1999 Nissan Pathfinder manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 1999 Nissan Pathfinder manual

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FAQ

Does the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 1999 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (35), steering (20), body & structure (18).

What gas mileage does the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder get?

EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Pathfinder years

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