Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 44 | 24% |
| Structure | 38 | 21% |
| Power train | 17 | 9% |
| Suspension | 8 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 4% |
| Tires | 7 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 3% |
| Suspension | 5 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS RUSTING AWAY IT HAS UNDER 92,000 MILES ON IT MY SUSPENSION IS BEING INFECTED MY STEERING IS BEING AFFECTED THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF A GARAGE KEPT CAR THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH NOT THAT MAN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TAKATA RECALL. JUST LIKE ALMOST ALL OTHER 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDERS MY FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT. ONLY AFTER 2 MONTHS IT PASSED A VEHICLE INSPECTION ORDER I NOTICED A 4 INCH HOLE SURROUNDED BY RUST AND LOTS OF IT, I HAVE BEEN D
NHTSA complaint: Structure
IT STARTED NOT STARTING AND A COUPLE OF TIMES JUST DIED WHEN I WAS STOPED NOW IT WONT START AT ALL . AND THERES A SHORT SOMEWHERE THE RADIO GOES ON AND OFF.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY CHASSIS IS ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR CAN THIS BE TAKE IN CAR OF AT A NISSAN REPAIR SHOP AND IS THIS VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL LIST?
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE NOTICED A BANGING SOUND AND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I OWN A 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER XE 4X4. I TOOK THE CAR FOR THE SAFETY INSPECTION EARLIER TODAY. IT DID NOT PASS THE SAFETY REQUIREMENT BECAUSE THE RUST HAS COMPROMISED THE FRAME AND MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. RUST
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
BAKER PLATE RUSTED AND WEDGED INTO BRAKES AND ROTORS - LITERALLY TORE EVERYTHING UP.. CV BOOT DAMAGED- ROTORS DEFACED- BRAKES DEFACED- ALL NEED REPLACING AND MIND YOU THE BRAKES WERE NEWER HAD THIS NOT RUSTED I WOULD NOT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
PURCHASED A USED 1995 NISSAN PATHFINDER PRIVATELY FOR MY SON. DISCOVERED A GAS TANK LEAK, WE BOUGHT A NEW GAS TANK AND UPON HAVING IT INSTALLED THE MECHANIC AND COLLISION EXPERT SAID THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTY THAT THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 44 of them (24%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) 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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. 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.