RecallRepo

1994 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1994 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 176,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEAT BELTS 02V125000 2002-05-02 92,500 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS, THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 22, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT…

SEAT BELTS 96V170001 1996-09-10 84,000 affected
Defect

THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO DESIGN DIMENSIONS. IF THE SEAT BELT TONGUE IS INSERTED SLOWLY AT AN ANGLE INTO THE BUCKLE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR HARD BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
18
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
7
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
4
3crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
3
1crashes
TIRES
3
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
1fires
Total complaints108

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Went to replace front strut rod bushings and found nearly rusted through strut/tension rod that connects the lower control arm to the frame on the driver's side. The arm was bent at the rusted section and was near failure. This potential failure may have caused loss of steering control. This is…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2014-05-14

“Took my 1994 pathfinder for front brake services. The mechanic inspected my truck and found the frame completed rusted and could not place on regular lift. I was told that entire frame needs to be replaced or rebuilt. I was told that nissan has recall on pathfinder. I followed up with nissan and…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2013-05-29

“Took vehicle into repair shop getting it ready for inspection. Was told by shop that the entire rear frame of vehicle is rusted out and is non-repairable. It needless to say will not pass inspection. They informed me that this is a common problem on this make and model. I contacted the…”

STRUCTURE · reported 2011-01-07

“Noticed sagging bumper and took 1994 pathfinder in for repairs. Mechanic told me the rear frame was rusted beyond repair. Poked his finger through the frame with no effort. Car has been cared for and had undercoating applied. Mechanics say they see this exact problem quite often. Internet search…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2010-06-10

“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 nissan pathfinder. When the contact took his vehicle in for inspection, he was informed that the entire frame was rusted beyond repair. The inspector was able to push his finger through what used to be a steel part of the frame. The contact had not taken the vehicle to…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2009-02-06

“Took vehicle into repair shop getting it ready for inspection. Was told by shop that the entire rear frame of vehicle is rusted out and is non-repairable. It needless to say will not pass inspection. They informed me that this is a common problem on this make and model. I contacted the…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2009-02-06

“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 nissan pathfinder. Upon routine inspection, it was found that the cast iron was rusted in the vehicle from the inside out. The inspection station failed the vehicle and stated that if the contact drove over a bump too hard, the vehicle could split into two pieces. The…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2008-10-05

“I noticed during routine maintenance that the entire rear frame of my vehicle is rotted out, this seems to be a very unsafe defect. Not drivable at this time because of the chance of frame failure. *tr”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2008-09-17

Defect investigations

Investigation RQ02009 Opened 2002-04-11 · closed 2002-12-17

SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURES

TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF…

Investigation RQ02009 Opened 2002-04-11 · closed 2002-12-17

SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURES

TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF…

Investigation RQ02009 Opened 2002-04-11 · closed 2002-12-17

SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURES

TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF…

Investigation RQ02009 Opened 2002-04-11 · closed 2002-12-17

SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURES

TAKATA/NISSAN/ISUZU HAVE DETERMINED THAT DURING THE INITIAL RECALL CAMPAIGN (96V-170), SOME VEHICLES THAT CONTAIN DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE INADVERTENTLY OMITTED FROM THE CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL RECALL 92,500 MY1994 PATHFINDER AND D21 PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-125).ISUZU WILL RECALL 13,831 MY1994/1995 RODEO, AMIGO, TF…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.