1994 Nissan Pathfinder
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
1994 Nissan Pathfinder at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1994 Nissan Pathfinder recalls 2
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.
Fix: 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 N…
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW BUCKLE.
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.
1994 Nissan Pathfinder common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1994 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR. 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1994 Nissan Pathfinder MPG & running costs
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 1994 Nissan Pathfinder costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
SEAT BELT LATCH FAILURES Closed
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 AND PICKUP TRUCKS (02V-281) . ISUZU IS ALSO RECALLING 618 MY 1994 HONDA PASSPORT VEHICLES UNDER RECAL…
NHTSA #RQ02009 · Seat Belts · opened Apr 2002 · closed Dec 2002An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 40
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 40.
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 202312 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 2023SILICONE-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 2023VEHICLE 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 2023INTELLIGENT 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 2023WINDSHIELD 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 2023REMOVING 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 2023WHEEL 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 2023DIAGNOSIS 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 2023STRUT 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 2021Source: 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 1994 Nissan Pathfinder. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
THE LATCH PLATE USED IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN DIMENSION. THIS COULD RESULT IN PARTIAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT TONGUE TO COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND BUCKLES WITH THE AFFECTED LOT NUMBER WILL BE REPLACED.
Transport Canada #1996138 · Sep 1996Source: 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.