Pathfinder / QX4 Reliability (Post your mileage)

A forum for the legendary Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4.
mkaresh
Posts: 1038
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:45 am
Car: 2003 Mazda Protege5
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We've updated our reliability stats for the Pathfinder to include owner experiences through December 31, 2013.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 Pathfinder: 50, moderate
2008 Pathfinder: 38, low, very small sample size
2007 Pathfinder: 31, low, very small sample size
2006 Pathfinder: 49, low, very small sample size
2005 Pathfinder: 60, moderate, small sample size
2003 Pathfinder: 28, low, small sample size
2002 Pathfinder: 84, moderate, small sample size
2001 Pathfinder: 89, moderate, small sample size
2000 Pathfinder: 67, low, small sample size

We'll have further updates in May and in August. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

To see the repairs behind these stats, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Nissan Pathfinder reliability ratings and comparisons


9899pathfinder
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2011 8:56 pm

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adamt314, would you please let me know from where your oil was leaking and how you got it fixed? I have a pesky leak that persists even though I have had the tranny oil seal replaced as well as the valve cover gaskets on my '03 QX4.

adamt314
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:51 am
Car: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD 3.5L

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9899pathfinder wrote:adamt314, would you please let me know from where your oil was leaking and how you got it fixed? I have a pesky leak that persists even though I have had the tranny oil seal replaced as well as the valve cover gaskets on my '03 QX4.

Hey there, sorry for the late reply. If I am not mistaken, it was the oil cooler that needed to be replaced. Cost me less than a $100 to repair.

jpedderson
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:00 am
Car: 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4WD
Location: (Houston, TX)

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225,000 and still going strong

2001 Pathfinder LE, VQ35DE, 4WD

cellysel
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 3:43 pm
Car: 2001 Nissan pathfinder

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My 2001 has 157905 and still running strong. It is time for a tune up but it's kind of expensive , about $500-600 . I replaced the rear control / trailing arms and rear shocks to fix the death sway. Replaced driver side window motor , fixed the oil cooler leak. I need to change the rotors and within the last week it didn't turn over twice. I think it might be the starter.

mkaresh
Posts: 1038
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:45 am
Car: 2003 Mazda Protege5
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Our reliability stats for the Pathfinder now include owner experiences through March 31, 2014, making them nearly a year ahead of other sources.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2013 Pathfinder: 56, high
2008 Pathfinder: 14, low, very small sample size
2007 Pathfinder: 34, low, very small sample size
2006 Pathfinder: 80, moderate, very small sample size
2005 Pathfinder: 92, moderate, small sample size
2003 Pathfinder: 30, low, small sample size
2002 Pathfinder: 86, moderate, small sample size
2001 Pathfinder: 103, moderate, small sample size
2000 Pathfinder: 106, moderate, very small sample size

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. Next update in August.

For a deeper dive, including the stats for other cars and repair descriptions, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Nissan Pathfinder reliability ratings and comparisons

qx4flboy
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2014 12:12 am
Car: 2001 Infinity QX4
Location: Clearwater Florida

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2001 qx4 123,000 2 owner replaced 1 coil few months back nothing big runs like a dream

Diamondgreen911
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:54 am
Car: 1999.5 pathfinder

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1999.5 pathfinder w 240,000 miles. I had the distributor replaced around 150k miles. Ball joints,struts, shocks at 200k.(because Kentucky doesn't pave roads!) I love this truck because it NEVER breaks down! And the crazy thing is that I can't find any rust anywhere on this truck, except the exhaust heat shield which I just remove as the squeaks get too annoying.

bryanmenard
Posts: 247
Joined: Thu Dec 19, 2002 5:45 am
Car: 1993 Nissan 240SX SE Fastback
2001 Infiniti QX4 4X4
2003 Infiniti QX4 4X4
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188,000 on my 2001 QX4 4WD. I have the winter package with limited slip and heated front and rear seats. I have had no major defects of any components at all. Maintenance is routine through an independent mechanic.

Only issues:

Navigation/Climate buttons (Mine had navi) began falling off after 7 years and eventually there weren't many buttons left. I converted the car to a standard radio and climate control using directions found on this site and used parts for about $150 total. Best decision I ever made. The new center stack makes me feel like I'm in a new car.

Mass air flow sensor replaced at 170k miles

Xenon bulbs both dimmed over time and replaced at 125k miles. Bulbs only it was around $300 I think

Has a very slight main seal leak that my mechanic says isn't bad enough to do yet. He predicts 200k or later before I should replace

Replaced valve cover gaskets at 105k, one was leaking a little along with spark plugs and wires

Rear shocks were leaking at 170k, replaced both and put new springs at that time

Normal wear and tear (tires, brakes, fluids) done routinely. The limited slip axle has had no issues but I do change the fluid every 50k. The car needs brakes a lot less often than my Volvo XC90 and is easy on tires. The rear drums have been replaced twice in the life of the car and still have room to go. Front brakes wear normally for discs.

All interior accessories work. Original power window motors, locks, seats everything works. Only thing that's been replaced on the interior are the light bulbs. Drivers seat is very worn on the bottom but the seatback is fine. All other seats are like new.

My car has no rust issues and has aftermarket undercoat and rustproofing done annually.

It's one of the best cars I've ever owned. So much so that I kept it after I bought its replacement. The All mode 4wd system is just spectacular for me and I still drive it routinely on trips over 500 miles because I want to keep miles off the other car but really because I still like the car a lot. Having real 4wd capability along with a really decent automatic all wheel drive system plus the ability to lock it in two wheel drive, well, is very hard to find these days. AllMode is probably the primary reason I kept the car. I've had not a single issue with the system and run in Auto mode at all times except when I'm towing or want to save a mile per gallon on a highway trip. It pulls a boat with ease and can make it up a boat ramp like its nothing. I'd have to blow a motor or crash it to consider parting with it. Love love love my QX4

mkaresh
Posts: 1038
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:45 am
Car: 2003 Mazda Protege5
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We've updated our reliability stats for the Pathfinder to include owner experiences through June 30, 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2014 Pathfinder: 72, high
2013 Pathfinder: 59, high
2008 Pathfinder: 13, low, very small sample size
2007 Pathfinder: 57, moderate, very small sample size
2006 Pathfinder: 59, moderate, very small sample size
2005 Pathfinder: 88, moderate, small sample size
2003 Pathfinder: 29, low, small sample size
2002 Pathfinder: 90, moderate, small sample size
2001 Pathfinder: 82, moderate, small sample size
2000 Pathfinder: 89, moderate, very small sample size

Next updates later this month and in February. The more owners participate, the more comprehensive and precise these will be.

For repair descriptions, the stats of other cars, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Nissan Pathfinder reliability ratings and comparisons

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imGenoo
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 8:52 pm
Car: 1998 Nissan Pathfinder LE

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1998 Pathfinder LE. 1943xx miles. Was a gift from the pops even though I wanted to buy myself a 300zx TT. Oh well can't complain about a free gift! :rotfl
Image

I've dropped a lot of money into this thing. I'm talking about a new evap system + canister and EGR. I couldn't pass inspection! (That's why I got it for free :bs: )
Along with new rear control arms, both upper and lower. New axles etc. Runs like a boss now. :mike

varnco
Posts: 45
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:58 pm
Car: 2008 Infiniti G35

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2002 Pathfinder, 157K miles, just dropped the transmission and blew out the radiator in it and had them both replaced.

mkaresh
Posts: 1038
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:45 am
Car: 2003 Mazda Protege5
Contact:

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We've updated our reliability stats for the Pathfinder to include owner experiences through September 30, 2014.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2014 Pathfinder: 58, high
2013 Pathfinder: 40, moderate
2008 Pathfinder: 55, moderate, very small sample size
2007 Pathfinder: 59, moderate, very small sample size
2006 Pathfinder: 89, moderate, very small sample size
2005 Pathfinder: 81, moderate, small sample size
2003 Pathfinder: 40, low, small sample size
2002 Pathfinder: 107, moderate, small sample size
2001 Pathfinder: 70, low, small sample size
2000 Pathfinder: 51, low, very small sample size

We have two additional statistics, "Nada-odds" and "Lemon-odds", to indicate the percentage of cars with no repairs in the past year and those that required 3+ trips to the repair shop:

2013 Pathfinder: 65, 4

Additional participants always helpful (especially if you see "small sample size" next to the year, or no stat at all).

To view the repairs behind these numbers, check the stats for other cars, and sign up to help improve this information (next update in February):

Nissan Pathfinder reliability ratings and comparisons

Bacon2x
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:49 am
Car: 97 Infiniti QX4

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I have a 97 QX4 (#245) with 206,000 miles on it. I have replaced almost all the suspension except for the springs and the panhard bar. Recently got a set of Grabber AT2's put on. I take it off-roading 3-4 times a year and have never gotten stuck. This year I plan on working on some engine problems I have recently been having but no major issues as of yet.


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barnaclebob
Posts: 249
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2015 2:55 pm
Car: 2001 Pathfinder LE
2011 Altima SR

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142,000 miles, 2001 Pathfinder LE, VQ35DE, 4WD. Its in the shop getting the alignment checked and the front strut recall checked right now but should pass based on what I saw. Just getting around to some deferred maintenance thanks to the awesome info on this forum. Next up are fuel filter, spark plugs, PCV valve, and the loose manifold valve screw check.

My dad let me drive her off the lot when I was 15 with a learners permit and gave her to me after college. She only gets 5-7k miles put on a year and is garaged 75% of the time so hopefully I won't have to buy a 4Runner anytime soon...I absolutely hate what Nissan did with the latest generation Pathfinder.

danfotoman
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2014 11:00 am
Car: '95 pathfinder SE 4x4 leath

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i bought a '95 pathy se 4x4 leath with 19k/mi on her. she now has 208,000 miles. usual stuff~ warped exhaust manifold, leaky rear seal, and the obligatory mass air flow meter...everything still works, all windows, rear wiper and sprayer, and a/c! at 120k/mi has 2nd timing belt done with water pump, new cam seals, counterweight pulleys, pretty standard stuff. surprised I'm getting 80,000 miles from the tires! heated seats! sunroof! pop off/out.....my pathy guy says if i don't get 300k out of her, someone will. new belts every 60k/mi, and synth oil. i love her

mkaresh
Posts: 1038
Joined: Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:45 am
Car: 2003 Mazda Protege5
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Thanks, guys.

To keep covering the pre=2013 Pathfinders we're going to need more owners involved, as current members have been selling them more often than buying them. Hence the "small sample size" disclaimers.

So if you're reading this but haven't yet joined, I hope you'll consider it.

www.truedelta.com/join

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asnorton44
Posts: 502
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:43 pm
Car: 2001 Infiniti QX4
Location: Indianapolis, IN

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2001 QX4 198,000 miles (bought with 155,000 and engine problems)

- Ignition Coils
- Spark Plugs
- Crankshaft Sensors
- Mass Air Flow Sensor
- Rear Lower Trailing Arms
- Rear Upper Trailing Arms
- New Dealer Transmission (Previous Owner)
- Random switches inside
- Transfer Case Sub Oil Pump Motor
- Starter
- Negative Battery Cable
- Windshield Wiper Motor
- Wiper Pumps
- HID Bulbs
- Steering Column Switch

To be fixed maybe or scrap it:
- Wheel bearings shot
- Suspension sounds like s***
- Cracked coil spring front strut

Manzz
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:45 pm
Car: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4

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2002 Pathfinder SE 4x4 216,000 miles
Ball joints at 200k. Just the usual tires, belts, brakes. New plug coils at 198k ( figured it was prudent by then ). just replacing fan control module this week.

tahoefever
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat May 30, 2015 5:15 am
Car: 2002 Pathfinder - Daily driver luv it ..rusty as Heck but still going
04 Tahoe police edition

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I was going to post my 185k but compared to some of you guys I'm just a rookie still :P

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Karona
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 11:14 pm
Car: '99 Infiniti QX4 (R.I.P)
'08 Nissan Rogue SL AWD

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1999.5 Qx4, has a little over 460'000km. Truly remarkable piece of engineering, these vehicles are..
EDIT: Roughly 286'000 miles for Imperials lol

Here's hoping I make it to 500! :ohno:

Image

Buzzman
Posts: 2070
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:35 pm
Car: 2017 Mazda 6 GT
2023 Kia Stinger Elite V6 AWD.

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Karona wrote:1999.5 Qx4, has a little over 460'000km. Truly remarkable piece of engineering, these vehicles are..
EDIT: Roughly 286'000 miles for Imperials lol

Here's hoping I make it to 500! :ohno:
A) Does it have the original engine?
B) How many timing belt changes have you done?
C) How are the strut housings after that many Kms.?

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Karona
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 11:14 pm
Car: '99 Infiniti QX4 (R.I.P)
'08 Nissan Rogue SL AWD

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Buzzman wrote:
Karona wrote:1999.5 Qx4, has a little over 460'000km. Truly remarkable piece of engineering, these vehicles are..
EDIT: Roughly 286'000 miles for Imperials lol

Here's hoping I make it to 500! :ohno:
A) Does it have the original engine?
B) How many timing belt changes have you done?
C) How are the strut housings after that many Kms.?
It was my father's previously, but I can see if I can find out.

A) Yes.
B) At least 1 that I know of (Was squeaking quite a bit at that time)
C) The area is fairly rusty, but Infiniti did a lot of recall-work on it.

I can try to get a picture

Buzzman
Posts: 2070
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:35 pm
Car: 2017 Mazda 6 GT
2023 Kia Stinger Elite V6 AWD.

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Karona wrote:
B) At least 1 that I know of (Was squeaking quite a bit at that time)
Re: timing belt. A timing belt doesn't squeak. I'm guessing you are referring to the serpentine/fan belt.
The timing belt is internal to the engine, and drives the camshafts.
If the belt breaks, you risk losing the engine.
The 3.3 engine is known as an interference engine.
When the belt breaks, the valves crash into the pistons.
The belt should be replaced every 100,000 miles.
If it has never been done on your engine, then you are definitely driving on borrowed time.

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Karona
Posts: 101
Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 11:14 pm
Car: '99 Infiniti QX4 (R.I.P)
'08 Nissan Rogue SL AWD

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Buzzman wrote:
Karona wrote:
B) At least 1 that I know of (Was squeaking quite a bit at that time)
Re: ...When the belt breaks, the valves crash into the pistons...
You are correct! It was the fan-belt. (You can tell I don't know too much about this stuff hah, live and learn..)

And oh man, that sounds absolutely terrifying.. Definitely on my list of checks to be done ASAP, thanks a lot!
I'm really glad I found this forum, I've been browsing it on and off for maybe a month or two now, very helpful.

Buzzman
Posts: 2070
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:35 pm
Car: 2017 Mazda 6 GT
2023 Kia Stinger Elite V6 AWD.

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Definitely see if you can find the service history re: timing belt. Ask your dad for starters.
If it has never been done, then you've been very lucky.

FYI, not as many guys check these sticky threads as compared to the regular posts.
If you are going to follow up on this, start a new thread to keep us up to date.
Cheers, and good luck.

cr4west
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 6:21 pm
Car: It's been great to be part of the forum but I have moved on. Check the classifieds for some new OEM Nissan parts I am selling
Location: Way Out West in Boise Idaho

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99 QX4 202,000 miles. Still has original engine, trans, cats, o2 sensors, exhaust, paint. On my 3rd timing belt now. No rust at all, I live in high sierra desert.

cellysel
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 3:43 pm
Car: 2001 Nissan pathfinder

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I have a 01 pathfinder with 174,000 miles on it. I finally changed the spark plugs a few months ago for the first time. I had the rotors , bearings front end alignment and wheels balanced 6 months ago.
Last year I had the rear shocks and trailing arms replaced due to the death sway. I do my regular oil changes. Oh yeah, just replaced the starter in April. I replaces the driver side window motor. The only problem I've had is the front brakes, even though the pads are good they still squeak and grind. I've took it in a few times to the shop and they said everything looks good.

cellysel
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat May 24, 2014 3:43 pm
Car: 2001 Nissan pathfinder

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I've also changed the anti freeze a few years ago and the tranny fluid. The next thing I want to do is have the entire brake system redone

pilotgirl
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 2:58 pm
Car: 1992 Pathfinder

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Ok so I have a 1992 Pathfinder SEV6 in urban battle green, bought in 2004 from my brother for $500. He bought it in 1994 with 12k miles and drove the crap out of it, took it to college, designated it the SAE fraternity shaggin wagon, then followed Phish around the country for several thousand miles one summer. I bought it as an airport car that no one would bother to steal, since it was pretty yucky in 2004. Windows were new since his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend broke all of them and the windshield in a drunken retaliation.

It had been in several fender benders but had a good stereo and a CB radio with external PA which is always nice when the horn is intermittent.

So I am still driving it thanks to job losses, new jobs, cross country moves, lost houses, new houses etc. RIght now we are at 237k miles, getting close to an average moon landing distance. Amazingly, despite a brake fire a few years back, and broken ball joints it has never broken down on the side of the road in the 10 years I've owned it.

Replaced since 2010 (preventatively)….

-2010 rebuilt transmission, tie rod ends, hoses, water pump, timing belt, radiator
-2012 alternator, starter, master cylinder, rotors, pads,
-2013 6 injectors and plugs
-2014 tunnel from the filter to the intake that had a crack and made it whistle like a turbocharger
-2015 4 tires, front shocks, power steering pump

None of this stuff actually broke before having to replace it. I've driven the thing so much I know every hiccup it makes and whenever it burps the wrong way I take it in and usually catch something right before it goes.

It's a daily driver (much to to the dismay of my HOA) and it does daily horse farm duty. 4 wheel drive is great for when its a mud-fest. I'm down to one working speaker, but the A/C works great. Anyway it isn't gonna win a car show anywhere but it will outlast any plastic SUV out there nowadays. :BnB:


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