2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER Complaints and Recall Information
The 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER has 6 complaints and 4 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report corrosion on front struts and steering column breakage. Some complaints include denial of repair coverage due to mileage requirements not being met.
- Corrosion on front struts. Corrosion occurs on the passenger side front strut, leading to potential structural damage without warning lights activating.
- Steering column breakage. Multiple reports indicate that the steering column breaks, causing loss of steering control.
- Denied repairs. Some owners had repairs declined by dealers under manufacturer campaigns due to mileage limits despite visible corrosion and strut damage.
- Emission compliance issue. One owner states the vehicle no longer complies with EPA Tier 3 emission standards, raising concerns about environmental health risks.
There are 4 recalls addressing suspension, steering, and air bag systems affecting this vehicle. These recalls focus primarily on corrosion-induced steering component failures and defective passenger air bag inflators.
- Front suspension strut housing. Recall 11V244000 affects 195,991 vehicles. Corrosion caused by road salt intrusion can crack and separate the strut housing from the inner hood ledge. Resulting symptoms include grinding noises, increased steering effort, and possible steering column breakage, risking loss of steering control and crashes. Nissan will inspect and repair affected vehicles free of charge.
- Steering column. Part of recall 11V244000 with the same affected vehicle count as suspension. Corrosion leads to the steering column breaking and loss of steering control. Nissan provides free inspection and repairs. There is no "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory.
- Passenger air bag inflator. Recall 15V287000 affects 1,090,569 vehicles, including this model year. Excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture upon deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin. This poses serious injury or death risk. Nissan will replace the inflators free of charge.
- Passenger air bag inflator (interim remedy). Recall 20V008000 covers 307,962 vehicles with non-desiccated inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate. Propellant degradation can cause inflator explosions with sharp metal fragments hitting occupants. Nissan will replace the inflators free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated corrosion and steering failures or unresolved recall repairs might have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting legal resources regarding unresolved safety defects and repeated repairs is recommended.
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER Summary
2003
Model Year
6
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
1594522
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
307962 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
1090569 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
195991 vehicles affected
STEERING:COLUMN
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, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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 LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Complaints
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
ID: 2116988UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This vehicle no longer meets the EPA TiER 3 standards That are needed to be on the road . I as the customer am not ok with this and because of this reason I’d like the entire vehicle to completely recalled . As it is not any longer fit to be on roads . The fact is that this car presents a health risk that is known to be fatal to life . So when you ask if the re has been any fatalities the answer is , yes , the emissions from old cars like the 2003 pathfinders have killed peoples already and guaranteed thing contributed to thier death and it will continue to be a contributing factor until it is recalled completely like it should have been done in 2017 . The moment that it was no longer meeting safe legal standards.
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
ID: 2116974UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown . The steering column broke
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
ID: 2116973SUSPENSION
Unknown . The steering column broke
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
ID: 2116972STEERING
Unknown . The steering column broke
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
ID: 2079074STEERING
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated there was corrosion on the passenger’s side front struts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined the repair under Manufacturer Campaign ID: R1107 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The driver’s side front struts were repaired prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the mileage requirements were not met. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.
2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER
ID: 2079073SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated there was corrosion on the passenger’s side front struts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined the repair under Manufacturer Campaign ID: R1107 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The driver’s side front struts were repaired prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the mileage requirements were not met. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.