1993 Nissan Pathfinder

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

70/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Engine and engine cooling	26	46%
Structure	7	13%
Tires	4	7%
Service brakes	3	5%
Power train	2	4%
Seat belts	2	4%
Service brakes	1	2%
Suspension	1	2%
Unknown or other	1	2%
Electrical system	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

THIS IS THE SECOND 1993 NISSAN PATHFINDER I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME. THE REAR CROSSMEMBER COMPLETELY RUSTS OUT AND FALLS OFF THE PROBLEM IS VARY DANGEROUS NOT ONLY TO OTHER DRIV
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

REAR SUSPENSION HAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO EXTREME RUSTING OF FRAME RAILS. EXCESS MOVEMENT OF REAR AXLE FROM SEPARATION DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINE AND CAUSED LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

*NOTE: THE TIRES IN QUESTION ARE SIZE 235/75R15...THIS SIZE OPTION WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE DROP DOWN BOX./// BLOWOUT AND NEAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER FURTHER EVALUATION IT WAS DETERMINED THE SIDEWALLS OF THE FRO
NHTSA complaint: Tires

I'M A CONSUMER WHO JUST HAD FOUR NEW COOPER DISCOVERER AST II TIRES INSTALLED ON A '93 NISSAN PATHFINDER. ALL FAILED WITHIN 709 MILES, APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH OF DRIVING. AFTER DRIVING TWO WEEKS AND 555 MILES, THE FR
NHTSA complaint: Tires

THERE IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE MANIFOLD STUDS BREAKING, RESULTING IN AN EXHAUST LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSES EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS DUE TO POOR QUALITY EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND/OR BOLTS. *LA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

EXHUAST MANIFOLD STUDS KEEP BREAKING CAUSING LEAKAGE, FUMES, AND NOISE. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 45K MILES AT $500 TO $1200 PER INCIDENT. HAVE FILED COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS (INCIDENT 4259794). NISSAN DECLIN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE REAR END FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF BODY ROT, AND IF IMPACTED IN AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD DISINTEGRATE.*JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure

The seven scores

Reliability raw	85	excellent
Longevity est.	79	good
Maintenance	76	good
Depreciation	59	average
Performance	59	average
Efficiency	31	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 45% of other
Longevity: better than 46% of other
Running costs: better than 63% of other
Value retention: better than 21% of other

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 85: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 79: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1993 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 76: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder?

Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 26 of them (46%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 1993 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.