2002 Nissan Pathfinder LE
JN8DR09Y32W736581
Vehicle history report for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder LE (VIN JN8DR09Y32W736581). Beige, sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 3.5L 6-cyl, gasoline. 194,331 mi reported. Registered in Ga. 9 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder worth?
What comparable 2002 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN JN8DR09Y32W736581
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 9
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 ammon…
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
NHTSA Campaign #20V008000 · 09/01/2020AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March, 31, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA Campaign #17V068000 · 02/02/2017AIR 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.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 I
NHTSA Campaign #15V287000 · 15/05/2015STEERING: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 O…
Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA Campaign #11V244000 · 20/04/2011EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NISSAN IS RECALLING FORTY-SIX CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 PATHFINDER AND INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 24, 2001 THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2001. THE AIR BAG INFLATOR CONTAINS PROPELLANT WAFERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO PROPERLY DEPLOY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. DUE TO IMPROPER PROPELLANT WAFER INSTALLATION DURING THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ASSEMBLY PROCESS, SOME AIR BAG INFLATORS MAY BE MISSING ONE O…
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY THE OWNERS OF THE FORTY-SIX AFFECTED VEHICLES. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA Campaign #10V312000 · 06/07/2010EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 171
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My complaint relates to Campaign Number 07V435000 We are the original and only owner of this vehicle. While driving the vehicle I started to notice a fuel smell, after several attempts to locate the source, one day I added fuel, I noticed a small puddle in my driveway the following morning. I removed the wheel and the fender well cover to find the fuel fille…
NHTSA ODI #11577797STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
This relates to Campaign Number 11V244000 We are the original and only owners of the vehicle I originally brought the vehicle in for the recall and they simply sprayed some undercoating in the wheel wells. Less than a month later both strut towers separated from the body of the vehicle while my wife was driving home, she lost steering and could have had a se…
NHTSA ODI #11577805STEERING,SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced at a local dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension); however, the mechanic diagnosed that there was no rust in the strut housing assembly. The contact then stated that when he replaced the front struts, excessive rust was seen in…
NHTSA ODI #11520142AIR BAGS
The contact's son owned a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA recall campaigns and flyers and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The contact stated that the vehicle was sold. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA ODI #11478436UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WROTE A LETTER AND FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT A PERFORATED RUST FRAME ON MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 118,000 MILES. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END BROUGHT TO WHERE I PURCHASED 18 YEARS AGO TO HAVE A RECALLED PERFORMED ON THE AIR BAG FOR SAFETY BUT MY RUSTED FRAME IS NOT RECALLED. THE SMITHTOWN DEALERSHIP OWNED BY JOSEPH O RUBIO THAT I PURCHASED AND JUS…
NHTSA ODI #11316447SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEH…
NHTSA ODI #11315925STRUCTURE
I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WE LOOKED AT THE FRAME UNDER THE CARS FRONT END IT IS CLUCKING THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST, PERFORATED STEEL AND DISCONNECTED FROM OTHER PARTS VERY DANGEROUS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM SMITHTOWN NISSIAN IN 2002 I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I CALLED SMITHTOWN NISSAN THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECALLS FOR THIS BUT MY VIN# CAR IS NOT AFFECTED I RE…
NHTSA ODI #11291453SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PATHFINDER TO WORK ON MONDAY OF THIS WEEK WHEN I STARTED TO FEEL A SLIGHT SHAKING IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND CHATTER IN MY BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I COULD BARELY MAKE A RIGHT TURN AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY STIFF. I CHECKED MY FRONT END AND WHAT I FOUND WAS FRIGHTENING. THE DRIVER…
NHTSA ODI #11256630+ 163 more complaints on record.






