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 115 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 20 | 17% |
| Air bags | 10 | 9% |
| Steering | 9 | 8% |
| Structure | 9 | 8% |
| Tires | 8 | 7% |
| Power train | 7 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 4% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED AN HOUR BEFORE THE FIRE AND SMELLED GAS. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF, STAYS OFF EVEN WHEN PARKED.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUT TOWER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR STATING THE WORK WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT AND CONSIDERS IT TO BE B
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT WITH STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A QUARTER OF A TURN BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS TO TURN AND WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY THIS CAUSES ME TO DRIFT INTO OTHER LANES . THIS DELAY WHEN I TURN THE STEERI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER BRACE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BYRELY NISSAN (4027 DIXIE HIGHWAY, LOUISVILLE, KY 40216) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING. IN ADDITION, THERE HAD BEEN RUST
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
STRUT HOUSING HAS BEEN LEAKING WHILE PUTTING GAS ABNORMAL METAL CORROSION PROBABLY D/T TO A POOR COATING PROCESS GRINDING NOISES
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 11V-244 RECALL, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: R1108. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS IN SEATTLE WA. I LIVE IN ILLINOIS AND TOOK THIS CAR YESTERDAY TO ANDERSON NISSAN IN ROCKFORD, IL FOR THE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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,
Risk: 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
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. O
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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 D
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 20 of them (17%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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.