1987 Nissan Pathfinder problems
The Nissan Pathfinder is a range of sport utility vehicles manufactured by Nissan since 1986. Until the third-generation model, the Pathfinder is based on Nissan's compact pickup truck platform which it shares with the Navara/Frontier. The front end of the D21 (first generation) and R51 (third generation) Pathfinder is notably identical with the Navara/Frontier up until the B-pillars.
The Pathfinder was marketed as the Nissan Terrano (Japanese: 日産・テラノ, Hepburn: Nissan Terano) outside North America. Beginning in 2004, the R51 series was marketed internationally as the Pathfinder.
In 2012, the R52 series Pathfinder was released as a three-row crossover SUV based on the unibody Nissan D platform, moving away from the body-on-frame chassis format. The role of a mid-size body-on-frame SUV in Nissan's global lineup was passed to the Terra/X-Terra, which was released in 2018 and based on the D23 series Navara.
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Common 1987 Nissan Pathfinder problems
The Nissan Pathfinder, a midsize SUV produced since 1986, is known for its dependability. However, certain model years have experienced specific problems that potential buyers should be aware of. This article focuses on the first generation of the Nissan Pathfinder, specifically the 1987 model year, and explores common issues reported by owners.
- Suspension and Chassis Cracks: If driven hard in challenging off-road conditions, 1987 Nissan Pathfinders may suffer from suspension mounting or chassis cracks. These issues can compromise the vehicle's structural integrity and safety, so it's essential to have an expert inspect the vehicle for any signs of damage.
- Engine and Ignition Problems: Owners of 1987 Nissan Pathfinders have reported engine stalling, excessive oil consumption, and loss of power. These issues can vary in severity and should not be ignored, as they can lead to more severe problems if left unattended.
- Faulty Fuel Level Sensor: Some 1987 Nissan Pathfinders may experience problems with the fuel level sensor, causing the fuel gauge to stop working or provide inaccurate readings. This issue can be diagnosed through a check engine light and a diagnostic code suggesting sensor failure.
- Poor Engine Performance and Drivability: Second-generation Nissan Pathfinders (1995-2002) have been reported to suffer from poor engine performance and drivability due to problems linked to a bad mass air flow sensor. This can result in engine misfire, stalling, and odd noises during warm-up.
In conclusion, while the Nissan Pathfinder is generally a dependable midsize SUV, certain model years, including the 1987 Pathfinder, have experienced specific problems that potential buyers should be aware of. Proper maintenance and regular inspections can help prevent or address these issues, ensuring the vehicle's longevity and reliability.
What year was bad for the Nissan Pathfinder?
Avoid: 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
CarComplaints says the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder is the worst model year for this three-row SUV. With a whopping 400+ written complaints, the Pathfinder struggled with the coolant leaking into the transmission, eventually leading to transmission failure.
What is the biggest problem with the Nissan Pathfinder?
Most Common Nissan Pathfinder Problems
- Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Problems. According to CarComplaints, one of the most common Pathfinder issues is transmission failure. ...
- Coolant Leaking into Transmission. ...
- Worn Timing Chain. ...
- A/C and Heating Problems. ...
- Faulty Fuel Level Sensor.
Are Pathfinders reliable in the 90s?
What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (1987–1995) Pathfinder? Pathfinder owners have made 19 complaints about the 1987–1995 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 3rd out of 54 Nissan generations in overall reliability , with some engine and electrical concerns.
What is the fuel mileage of a 1987 Nissan Pathfinder?
1987 Nissan Pathfinder
| EPA MPG | Owner MPG Estimates |
|---|---|
| 1987 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Manual 5-spd | |
| 16 combined city/highway MPG 15 city 18 highway 6.2 gals/ 100 miles | View Estimates How can I share my MPG? |
| 1987 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Automatic 3-spd | |
| Regular Gasoline | Not Available How can I share my MPG? |
1987 Nissan Pathfinder car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Pathfinder problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Visibility problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Seats problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1987 Nissan Pathfinder vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1987 Nissan Pathfinder
The NHTSA has received 28 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1987 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-03-01
- VIN: NOT AVAILAB
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK, AND CONSUMER HAS TO PHYSICALLY FORCE ACCELERATOR TO BECOME UNSTUCK. VEHICLE ACCELERATES TO HIGHER SPEEDS DUE TO SUCH FORCE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED., AND INSPECTED THE PROBLEM 2 YEARS WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THE SAME WAY.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-06-05
- VIN: JN8HD16Y4HW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS GOING 20 MPH & HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE CAME TO A GRINDING HALT AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. IT CUT OFF RIGHT IN FRONT OF A AUTO SHOP. THEY FOUND TOP OF HEAD BOLT HAD SHEARED OFF AND FELL DOWN INTO CAMSHAFT AND BUSTED IT. IT WAS PASSED MILEAGE FOR MANUFACTURER TO COVER IT.*AK THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. THERE WAS A DEFECT CAMPAIGN BY NHTSA, # FC0002519 ABOUT HEAD BOLT SEPARATION. *YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-12-01
- VIN: JN8HD16Y9HW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE FLOOR UNDER THE BACK SEAT RUSTED THROUGH. SEAT BELT ANCHORS WERE RUSTED SO THAT THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PULLED OUT IN AN ACCIDENT. EXHAUST WAS COMING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THRU THE FLOOR. THE SAME PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO YOU (BY OTHER PATHFINDER OWNERS) FOR 1987 THROUGH 1996 PATHFINDERS(PROBABLY ABOUT 20 TIMES)THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHENT HE REAR SEAT WAS FOLDED DOWN TO USE THE EXTENDED CARGO AREA. THE REPAIR COST $2000.*AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-20
- VIN: JN8D16Y2HW
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX 31/10.5/R15 LT M&S TIRE FAILURE - TREAD SEPARATION. (CLAIM# 14-1295-337) *MW
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-09-11
- VIN: JN8HD16Y7HW
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: REAR SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. WHEN PULLING SEAT UP IT IS RUSTED, AND CONSUMER CAN SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE FOOT BOARD. *AK *ML
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16Y3HW
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: VEHICLE HAS A TENDENCY TO FISHTAIL ON WET PAVEMENT WHEN TURNING. MJS
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16Y3HW
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: REAR VIEW MIRRORS INADEQUATE IN DESIGN CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE STRUCK UNSEEN VEHICLES DUE TO BLIND SPOTS. MJS
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16Y3HW
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: REAR VIEW MIRRORS INADEQUATE IN DESIGN CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE STRUCK UNSEEN VEHICLES DUE TO BLIND SPOTS. MJS
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16Y3HW
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: REAR VIEW MIRRORS INADEQUATE IN DESIGN CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE STRUCK UNSEEN VEHICLES DUE TO BLIND SPOTS. MJS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1990-01-01
- VIN: JN8HD16YHW0
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EXHAUST HEADERS, MANIFOLD AND STUDS, WARPED AND LEAKS CAUSING TICKING SOUND AT COLD STARTS AS WELL AS STRONG EXHAUST SMELLS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-01
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS FAILURE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD17Y1MW
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL/TEMP GAUGE REPLACED, STOPPED WORKING.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD17Y1MW
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: NEW REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED, DUE TO LACK OF POWER.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD17Y1MW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: NOISY EXHAUST SYSTEM, NOTIFIED OF EXHAUST LEAKS PROBLEM REPLACE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD17Y1MW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL REPLACED BECAUSE ON ONE SIDE OF IT WAS LIKE A PLIABLE RUBBER HOSE, REPLACE STEERING WHEEL.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD17Y1MW
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL STUCK WHEN IT ACCELERATED ON AN INCLINE, INSTALLED NEW CRUISE CONTROL.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN6ND14Y4HW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-12-23
- VIN: JN8AR05Y3TW
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ENGINE: WHEN ENGINE IS COLD MOTOR RACE UP AND DOWN AT 1800 RPMS, AFTER SITTTING FOR 9 MINUTES IT WENT TO 900 RPMS. DEALER SAID ALL PATHFINDERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.W HEN STARTING VEHICLE ONE DOESN'T KNOW HOW FAST IT'S GOING TO ACCELERATE AND DON'T HAVE TO TOUCH THE GAS. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-30
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS REPLACED THE CLUTCH (3) TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND THE CLUTCH NEEDS TO REPLACED AGAIN. HAS HAD VEHICLE FOR (2) YEARS AND (9) MONTHS. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-02
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JN8HD16Y9HW
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: HEATER CORE HOUSING CAUGHT FIRE. *DSH
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-16
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT; FAILURE ON THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT IS BROKEN/CRACKED. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-07-16
- VIN: JN8HD14Y0HW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT BELT TO THE FLOOR OF THE TRUCK IS BREAKING. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-02
- VIN: JN8HD16Y8HW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: BOTH SEATBELT BUCKLES ON REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT FASTEN AT ALL. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-18
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED. *SKD
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-18
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: PULL RING TO PASSENGER'S SEAT THAT ENABLES PASSENGER'S TO EXIST REAR SEAT BROKE.
1987 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1987 Nissan Pathfinder.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES WERE PRINTED ON CERTIFICATION LABELS.
- Consequence: INCORRECT TIRE INFLATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL CORRECTED TIRE INFORMATION LABEL ON DOORPOST CERTIFICATION LABEL.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: MISMATCH OF MALE AND FEMALE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
- Consequence: THE SEAT BELTS CAN NOT BE BUCKLED AND PASSENGERS AREUNABLE TO USE THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
- Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL MISMATCHED BELT ASSEMBLIES.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1987 Nissan Pathfinder problems:
Pathfinder Common Problems/Fixes, Read this first! - New People ...
Dec 1, 2003 ... The revised manifold stud Nissan part number is: 14065-V5004 Revised Exhaust Manifold Stud. The cost on those is around $2 per stud. They're ...
Nissan Pathfinder Questions - Anybody here of the issues with the ...
Feb 4, 2015 ... I'm curious as to how the 87' Pathfinder will stand to the test of time and what are some common issues that I should know a... 1987 Nissan ...
tips on buying a '87 pathfinder - Nissan Forum | Nissan Forums
May 29, 2008 ... WD21 info for Pathfinder from 87-95: Main problems. Frame rust. Even on non-offroaded Pathys, the frame can rust out quite badly from the inside ...
Common Problems with 1987 Nissan Hardbody 2.4 | Q&A
Sep 17, 2009 ... I HAVE A 1987 NISSAN PICKUP HARDBODY 2.4L .I CHANGED THE THROTTLE BODY BECAUSE IT WAS SORT OF STALLING AND RUNNING TO - Answered by a ...
1987 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Dec 16, 2011 ... Faults: When it was first bought, the fan clutch had to be replaced. It overheated for almost 2 years after it reached a certain speed, ...
Other years of Nissan Pathfinder
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