1990 Nissan Pathfinder
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Nissan › Pathfinder › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Nissan Pathfinder. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder. Newest first.
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch IS securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button IS pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired free of charge.
Incorrect tire inflation pressures were printed on certification labels.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Incorrect tire inflation could result in loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Remedy
Install corrected tire information label on doorpost certification label.
Owner complaints
38 complaints1 involved a crash2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Inquiry whether nissan IS obligated to repair or cover the cost of repair for broke exhaust manifold studs which could cause carbon monoxide problems. *ph *la
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Exterior lighting › Headlights
Exhaust manifold studs have broken on both manifolds at an estimated repair bill of $800. we have no choice to have it repaired as we cannot receive our emmission test approval to get our vehicle registered (1990 pathfinder) there IS no warning for this defect and it was not detected last may…
Exhaust manifold studs have broken on both manifolds at an estimated repair bill of $800. we have no choice to have it repaired as we cannot receive our emmission test approval to get our vehicle registered (1990 pathfinder) there IS no warning for this defect and it was not detected last may because it did pass the inspection at that time. the bolts on the valve covers work themselves loose and I am able to move them with my bare fingers. Also, we can not figure out why the high-beam of the left front headlight won't work.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Multiple studs broken on exhaust manifold multiple times. Right (passenger) side twice. Left side once.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Nissan recognized exhaust manifold design defects leading to manifold warpage and repeated exhaust manifold bolt breakage. eventually causing exhaust gas leaks and noise problems . nissan recognizes design failure but refuses to fix the problem. I've spent over $1500 repairing exhaust manifolds and broken exhaust manifold bolts. please have nissan recall the faulty exhaust manifolds and bolts!
- Tires › Tread/belt
Original equipment, general ameri-tech tires, size p23575r15, dot#3hl27w443; rear driver's side tread separated while traveling 65mph. Dealer has been contacted. Consumer has tires. Consumer IS requesting to send tires to office of defects. *Ak tread kicked up, smashing rear left panel, left tail light and mud flap. *tt
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failure. transmission failed due to failure of internal componenets. there seem to be a large number of complaints around the transmission of the 1990 nissan pathfinders. I have had 2 transmission failures in 10 years of ownership. the primary driver of the vehicle for the first…
Transmission failure. transmission failed due to failure of internal componenets. there seem to be a large number of complaints around the transmission of the 1990 nissan pathfinders. I have had 2 transmission failures in 10 years of ownership. the primary driver of the vehicle for the first five years was different than the primary driver for the second five years. this seems to be a recurring problem. in addition my dealer informed me that nissan did redesign the transmission because of failure of the transmission. thi IS a huge problem. IS there a way to begin an investigation into nissan surrounding this vehicle problem.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Exhaust manifold leaks are a common problem with the pathfinder with many of the repairs being performed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. my first repair was completed in the fall of 1996 with the manifolds removed, trued to factory specifications, broken manifold studs replaced with…
Exhaust manifold leaks are a common problem with the pathfinder with many of the repairs being performed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. my first repair was completed in the fall of 1996 with the manifolds removed, trued to factory specifications, broken manifold studs replaced with the factory recommended parts and reassembled by a local repair shop. the repair cast $800.00 and lasted 6 months. nissan IS aware of the problems with these manifolds and in 1997 issued a "silent" recall on their 1996 and 1997 pathfinders but will not help the folks with the older trucks. factory replacements of the manifolds have not eliminated the problem for others and at $800.00 for the repair doing it more than once seems excessive. there are several web sites that have addressed this problem and it seems well documented, we feel that nissan needs to be pushed to do what's right. thank you. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Exhaust manifold warped, causing bolts , that hold the engine, to break. vehicle made a loud noise. also, exhaust vapor got inside of vehicle. dealer said it was a common problem, and that the bolts were too small to hold the engine. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
When driving consumer noticed black smoke coming from engine compartment. Loss of all brakes and clutch when the vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment, cause of fire may be linked to the fuel injector which possible had a crack causing a leak which caused the fire. vehicle was a total loss. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Exhaust system failure has occurred three separate occasions. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Power train › Automatic transmission
There are 2 recurring problems that appear to be patent defects with most early 90'S pathfinders. They deserve investigation by dot. First IS premature and repeated failure of the automatic transmission, probably (but not certainly) due to inadequate oil cooling. I note that in the your database…
There are 2 recurring problems that appear to be patent defects with most early 90'S pathfinders. They deserve investigation by dot. First IS premature and repeated failure of the automatic transmission, probably (but not certainly) due to inadequate oil cooling. I note that in the your database there are 30+ reports of transmission failures (several of them indicating multiple failures) for model years 1989-1991. There are also a dozen or more reports of exhaust manifold stud failure - most indicating multiple failures - and nissan dealers report that this happens to virtually every early 90'S pathfinder. At $300-400 a pop, this IS an outrage...and if you have to replace the manifold (which may warp when the stud breaks), it's $1,300 plus! I've spent over $8,000 on repairs for these 2 types of problems, and nissan IS unresponsive. I'D love to know what their own records show in terms of # and $ volume of dealer service incidents relating just to these patent defects. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Consumer experiencing ongoing problem with vehicle accelerating at an high speed while driving. Consumer would have to take vehicle out of gear in order for engine not to continue accelerating until the rpm come back down to normal. Vehicle been inspected by dealer, and was informed that the problem may be the cruise control module. Cost for repair would go to consumer. Can you help in this matter.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Vehicle has no power, hears knoking noise when accelerating, found vehicle jump time, removed and replaced timing belt, fuel pump should still be removed and followed up, problem occured after filling up gas tank.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Engine failure. owner claims there are numerous complaints of VG30 engine failures.
- Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Repeated transmission planetary gear failure.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Dealer advises warping of exhaust manifold caused exhaust studs to break. also states that this IS a common problem with this vehicle.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Front passenger side door cannot be unlocked with key.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Was driving and truck stalled ( cut off) while the engine was still running, took to mechanic, he said it that the rear thrust washer in automatic transmission failed. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Timing belt replaced due to loss of power.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The rear seat belt on the driver's side will not stay buckled, problem not corrected by dealer. *ak
- Structure
The body of the vehicle from the rear seatback IS rusting out, no one will help him get it fixed. *ak
- Electrical system
Owner states that for no reason his vehicle caught on fire while sitting in parking lot .fire department states that it may have started from electrical system. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed three times.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Takata seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10032506Nissan: vent control valve replacement. When replacing the evap canister vent control valve for reason: use the one listed on page 2; for vent control valve replacement procedure, refer to the appropriate section of the electronic service manuals (esm; when installing the new valve, do not add any lube to its o ring; for frontier (D40 series) only, install the protector listed in parts information. Includes 2005-09 frontier. Updated 12/8/10.
- 10031305Nissan: tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light on/flashing. No models or model years listed. Updated on 08-11-2011.
- 10030165Nissan: the 12 volt battery IS an important part of the vehicle electrical system and IS required to stay connected when the engine IS running. To prevent damage to vehicle electronic components follow the instructions/cautions. No model years listed.
- 10017473Front seat belt latch plate retaining button missing.
- 10003515Front seat belt latch plate retaining button missing.
- 629210Seat belt latch plate retaining button missing.
- 623114Subject regarding essential tool - rear axle bearing removal kit. *Ttthe kit IS an essential tool and and will be automatically sent to all nissan dealers.
- 607626Concerns with the front seat belt latch plate stopper button missing.
- 601725Exhibiting a whine noise while driving in all forward gears except 4TH.
- 52168Fs5r30a transmission whine.
- 52164Transmissions detent holes eliminated from adapter plate.
- 45795The intake manifold gasket IS leaking coolant driectly into a cyclinder.
- 45007Hard/no star at high elevation and low temperature.
Every Nissan Pathfinder model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.