Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts7
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Tires3
- Exterior lighting1
- Steering1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In New Zealand
2 1988 cars are on the New Zealand register; 50% arrived as used imports, 50% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder.
| 1995084 24 May 1995 | Seats And Restraints THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HA… |
| 1990113 26 Jul 1990 | Suspension THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 120 - TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT LABELLING. |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Nissan told its dealers about the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 629210 | SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT |
| 623114 | SUBJECT REGARDING ESSENTIAL TOOL - REAR AXLE BEARING REMOVAL KIT. *TTTHE KIT IS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL AND AND WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SENT TO ALL NISSAN DEALERS. |
| 607626 | CONCERNS WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE STOPPER BUTTON MISSING. *TT |
| 601725 | EXHIBITING A WHINE NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN ALL FORWARD GEARS EXCEPT 4TH. *YC |
| 52168 | FS5R30A TRANSMISSION WHINE. *JD |
| 52164 | TRANSMISSIONS DETENT HOLES ELIMINATED FROM ADAPTER PLATE. *JD |
| 45795 | THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT DRIECTLY INTO A CYCLINDER. *SD |
| 10032506 | NISSAN: 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. *PE INCLUDES 2005-09 FRONTIER. UPDATED 12/8/10. *PE |
| 10031305 | NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE UPDATED ON 08-11-2011. *KB |
| 10030165 | NISSAN: 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. *PE |
| 10017473 | FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT |
| 10003515 | FRONT SEAT BELT LATCH PLATE RETAINING BUTTON MISSING. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation