Model year guide

1991 Nissan Pathfinder

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Nissan Pathfinder is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1991 Nissan Pathfinder — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 Nissan Pathfinder at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints47
Combined15–17 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1991 Nissan Pathfinder recalls 1

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #95V103002 · 24/05/1995

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.

Fix: 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 SU…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1991 Nissan Pathfinder common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1991 Nissan Pathfinder MPG & running costs

Combined15–17 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,325
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicle 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1991 Nissan Pathfinder costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,625
Fuel only$21,625
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
172.0 in
Width
66.5 in
Height
65.7–66.1 in
Wheelbase
104.3 in
Curb weight
3,735–3,858 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA95007 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 30

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 30.

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB08-097L · Steering · Sep 2023

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uni…

Bulletin NTB23-049 · Electrical System · Jun 2023

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly sp…

Bulletin NTB23-053 · Electrical System · Jun 2023

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB13-107F · Electrical System · Apr 2023

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB16-003C · Electrical System · Apr 2023

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB09-081J · Visibility, Structure · Feb 2023

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB13-028H · Visibility, Structure · Feb 2023

WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB10-126C · Wheels · Feb 2023

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB08-097K · Steering · Feb 2023

STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB99-001F · Suspension · Dec 2021

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PATHFINDER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Seats And Restraints

THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS N…

Transport Canada #1995084 · May 1995

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a range of sport utility vehicles manufactured by Nissan since 1985. Until the third-generation model, the Pathfinder is based on Nissan's compact pickup truck platform which it shares with the Navara/Frontier.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1991 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles on record

Other Nissan Pathfinder model years

1991 Nissan Pathfinder — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder?

Across all 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine and engine cooling, tires.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The 1991 Nissan Pathfinder has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.