1988 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.
Social links
Common 1988 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Nissan Pathfinder 1988, several common problems have been reported:
- Headlight Malfunctions: Some owners have reported problems with the headlights on the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder working strangely, not at all, or singly. This issue is often attributed to a malfunctioning headlight switch inside the turn signal lever. Disassembling the turn signal lever, cleaning the contacts, and re-bending them into the proper position can resolve this problem. Additionally, using contact cleaner spray on the switch can help restore proper headlight functionality.
These are the common problems reported by owners of the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder based on complaints.
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 most common problem on Nissan Pathfinder?
According to CarComplaints, one of the most common Pathfinder issues is transmission failure. This issue is said to be caused by coolant leaking into the transmission – which is also a huge issue.
Are 90s Pathfinder reliable?
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.
Is the Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder has a predicted reliability score of 78 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
1988 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
- Tires problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Nissan Pathfinder vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Nissan Pathfinder complaints
The NHTSA has received 17 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-04-20
- VIN: JN8HD16Y6JW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MY DAUGHTER, SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WENT TO PUT ON SEAT BELT AND THE BUCKLE SIDE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ANCHORED DOWN TO FRAME CAME OFF IN HER HAND. THANKFULLY IT WAS BEFORE WE STARTED DRIVING. 1ST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I BOLTED IT BACK DOWN TO FLOOR FRAME. I CALLED NISSAN AND REPORTED WHAT HAPPENED. THE LADY SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME AFTER TAKING ALL THE INFORMATION ON WHAT HAPPENED. I NEVER HEARD BACK. DATE BELOW IS VERY APPROXIMATE. *TR
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-18
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRE TREAD CAME OOF WHILE FREEWAY DRIVING, STILL INFLATED TO 30PSI (DOT NUMBER: 08/93 TIRESIZE: 31X10.50)
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-02-28
- VIN: JN8HD16Y2JW
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING HOME A 18" SECTION OF TIRE TREAD CAME OFF. COOPER TIRES HAD PROBLEMS WITH TREAD SEPARATION UNDER WET CONDITIONS. THEY WOULD FIX THIS BY POKING A HOLE THROUGH THE TREAD TO RELEASE THE AIR BUBBLE. IN MY OPPINION THIS IS UNEXEPTABLE! WHEN I ASKED PEP BOYS FOR HELP THEY SAID BUY A NEW ONE, AGAIN AN UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER. TWO MACHANICES BOTH SAY IT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. IT JUST SO HAPPENNED TO BE RAINING IN VEGAS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE TIRE PROBLEMS. PLEAS HELP. THANK YOU. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 30HH/86K35 TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-27
- VIN: JN8HD16YXJW
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I BROUGHT MY TIRE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T THE TIRES THAT GOT RECALLED. BUT WHEN I BROUGHT MY TIRES TO BIG O TO HAVE THE DAMAGED TIRE AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE REPLACED, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRES WERE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. ALTHOUGH THE TIRES HAD THE LEMANS BRAND NAME ON THEM, THEY ARE FIRESTONE MADE TIRES AND HAVE THE SAME DOT NUMBER AS THE TIRES THAT WERE RECALLED. AS OF TODAY, FIRESTONE IS NOT RECALLING ANY TIRES THAT DO NOT HAVE THE FIRESTONE BRAND NAME ON THEM. I FELT THAT YOU SHOULD BE INFORMED THAT THE TIRES MADE UNDER FIRESTONE'S PRIVATE SECTOR ARE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AND JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE FIRESTONE NAME ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT DEFECTIVE AND HAVE NO NEED OF RECALL. THANKYOU( DOT NUMBER: VDHL TIRE SIZE: P835/75R15 )
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16Y1JW
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE PATHFINDER AND MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 3, 2000. WE WERE TRAVELING ON A BLACKTOP SECONDARY ROAD WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. MY SON WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT. WE SOON REALIZED THAT THE LOW BEAMS WOULD STILL WORK AND WERE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY HOME. THE LOW BEAMS STILL WORK AND WE ARE STILL ABLE TO USE THE PATHFINDER EVEN AT NIGHT, BUT THE HIGH BEAMS STILL DON'T WORK. MY CONCERN IS FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE OPERATING THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN PATHFINDER AS WELL AS THOSE WHO COULD BE IN THE VICINTY IF THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN IN THEIR VEHICLE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16YAJW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO REMAIN LOCKED WHEN IN USE. DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-09-09
- VIN: PLEASE FILL
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: REPORTING LOCKING PIN BROKE, PREVENTING STEERING WHEEL FROM UNLOCKING. SEEKING HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. ALSO DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-01
- VIN: JN8HD16YXJW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: LEFT FRONT EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS AND WARPED MANIFOLD. YH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-01
- VIN: JN8HD16YXJW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILURE.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-01-14
- VIN: JN8HD16Y8J2
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103002), SEAT BELT BUCKLES SEVERAL YEARS AGO. TOOK VEHICLE IN. INFORMED WORK ALREADY DONE LAST YEAR. OWNER NEVER TOOK VEHICLE IN. MECHANIC TOOK CREDIT SLIP & DID NOT RETURN IT. MANUFACTURER WILL INVESTIGATE & CALL OWNER. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-08-01
- VIN: JN8HD16Y3JW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 125000 MILES. THE MANIFOLD STUDS WERE PUT ON TOO TIGHT, CAUSING THEM TO BREAK. THE MANIFOLD BECAME WARPED, CAUSING CARBON MONOXIDE TO LEAK INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16Y5JW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ONE STUD LOOSENED/SHEARED FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO TIGHTEN IT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-01-01
- VIN: JN8HD16Y5JW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ONE STUD ON EXHAUST SYSTEM MANIFOLD LOOSENED AND SHEARED OFF WHEN MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO TIGHTEN. THIS COULD POSSIBLY ALLOW CARBON MONOXIDE TO LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CREATING A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JNHD16Y2JW0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RECEIVCED RECALL # 95V103002 ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, AFTER REPAIRS, REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES AREN'T WORKING . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JN8HD16Y1JW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TAKATA BUCKLES NHTSA RECALL 95V103002; PUENTE HILLS NISSAN CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA., WILL NOT ACCEPT APPOINTMENTS UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL 1996. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TAKATA SEAT BELTS; DRIVER FRONT LAP/SHOULDER SEAT BELT WILL NOT REMAIN LATCHED TOGETHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-14
- VIN: JN8HD16YYJX
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TK#521 SEAT BELT LOCK JAMS WITH A PIECE THAT HAS FALLEN OFF, PREVENTING FASTENING. TT
1988 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1988 Nissan Pathfinder.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE.
- 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Nissan Pathfinder problems:
1988 Nissan Pathfinder Reviews - Carsurvey.org
Dec 21, 2010 ... Rust is one of the biggest issues to deal with. Under the rear seat and the rear fender wells are the usual areas that rust attacks first.
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 ...
1988 Pathfinder Acceleration Issues | Nissan Forum
Apr 16, 2020 ... Distributors are common failures on VG engines and that would fit your symptoms. Sometimes they are obvious, such as excessive play in the ...
Q&A: 1988 Nissan Pulsar NX SE CA 18 DE - Common Issues ...
Aug 20, 2008 ... I have a 1988 nissan pulsar nx se ca 18 de, it recently started having problems starting. Were thinking that its the - Answered by a ...
The truth about 1st Gen pathys? | Expedition Portal
Nov 5, 2010 ... New member. Nov 26, 2010 · #10. 1995 Nissan Pathfinder ... problems. Manifold ... The most common problem with them is automatic transmission ...
Other years of Nissan Pathfinder
Are you having problems with your 1988 Nissan Pathfinder?
Leave your review of 1988 Nissan Pathfinder