Pathfinder / QX4 Reliability (Post your mileage)

[davidrberg]

1994 pathfinder 215k miles
some issues with emmisions and hesitation - trying to fix them now

[ckhross]

I have a 2002 white Pathfinder 4WD w manual transmission, currently at 340,800 kilometers. I bought it at 139,000km and I've owned it for 8 years. Other than regular maintenance, I had the the spark plugs/rotor/distributor cap replaced a number of years ago and about 6 months ago replaced the mass air flow sensor and alternator. A warped valve or something has been causing a rapid loud 'ticking' for about 3-4 YEARS but it hasn't negatively affected performance (other than my ability to pick up chicks ;-).

However, last weekend it started misfiring on random cylinders and surges and loses power under acceleration. Engine light is flashing. Fix could end up being expensive. Lots of other minor things like CD player doesn't work, rear passenger side door handle is busted, fuel pressure sensor in gas tank is busted (filling the tank is a SLOW process now), I had to solder bad connections in the daytime running light module but they are failing again so fog and one brake light don't work. This might be the end of the road for my beloved pathfinder. It has been a fun and reliable truck. Will be sad to see it go.

[akers912]

1999 QX4 with 163,000 miles. I've owned it since mid April and haven't had any problems with it!

[adamt314]

2002 Pathy checking in with 196k. Was driving the other day and noticed smoke coming from underneath. Everything was running fine. Pulled over to notice coolant leaking from the engine. Attempted to drive it to the station less than a mile away, but the temp started spiking so I pulled over immediately and shut down. Waited 3 hours for a tow that never arrived. Turns out an outlet control hose was the culprit. Most of the cost was labor. Ended up replacing a thermometer as well since everything was removed to replace the busted hose. She's back in service and heading for 200!

[Haydenpaul1]

2002 Infiniti qx4 220,000 Miles on it and i still drive it everyday!
Only had to replace a valve gasket once and 1 coil pack but besides spark plugs and coil boots everything is original and keeps going!! Nissan did something right.

[sonnyc]

I'm at a low 191500 miles on my 1999 SE. Bought it new and in 17 years haven't had any major issues. I had valve gasket replaced, plugs a few times, cv boots, radiator and belts etc...Just got brand new tires so I expect it to last at least another 50k

[Jonthemoon]

Hi ! Just bought a pathfinder with 197k km on it this week-end. Its a 2002 LE 4wd. It has a bit of surface rust but nothing too deep yet so i'll try to maintain it properly to prevent further degradation.

It seems to run fine, I'll take it to a mechanic to have it checked and will surely have a lot of questions :-)Cheers !

[Mischi]

I just turned 270,000 miles yesterday. It's still my daily driver.

[Tank99]

Little late but just joining the forum. 99 qx4, 177,500 miles and still going strong. Just had to drop about $1k into it this year for an alternator, brake booster, a bad coolant leak and axels being replaced. Currently have my 4wd light going on and off for the past 2 days but that's all. (Hoping whatever that is doesn't cost an arm and a leg)

[rcrxboy2002]

138K Miles and still going strong. Just have a gas smell after I drive sometimes. Replaced all filters and had to install a new OEM Bose radio.

[mxsmith4]

2014 Pathfinder less than 20,000 miles. Front and rear brakes needed to be replaced. Tire are shot too. Recent recall took several months for the dealer to get the parts. Other than that, no problems.

[Bdub1028]

2001 Pathfinder LE, just rolled over 250,000 miles. Hit a deer last week, took me a few days to get her back on the road, but we are rolling again, intent on putting another 250,000 miles behind us!

[Cfiske]

2003 Pathfinder SE. 178K miles. Engine strong as ever. Needing to fix the exhaust for the third time. May go from resonators back this time. BOSE CD player is shot. And the A/C has not worked in about 20K miles. Only put on about 500 a month now. Put was piling in 20K a year for a bit.

[Warhorse2]

Hello Nico! First post here as a member, here's some detailed info on my Pathfinder:

1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4 - Manual transmission
Current mileage: 225,000+ (362,102 KM)

Background

I bought this Pathfinder SUPER CLEAN at 161,000 on the odometer. Not so much as a scratch on it, interior/exterior was tight. It was a dealer car for the first 70,000 miles of its life. Second owner was the brother of the guy that worked at the dealership, sold it to me saying it "was the best car he ever owned."

The first 10,000 miles this car ran like an absolute top. Then at 171,000 things started falling off. Since its been about 3 grand a year in maint to keep it on the road. Here are some of the issues/maint I have done out of necessity.

• Blew a front radiator hose. Replaced all hoses and basic belts. Hoses are a serious job on this truck and they're are a lot of them, if you're being thorough.
  
  Original starter went out at 170k
  
  Original alternator went out about the same time, 170-175k
  
  Cracked the radiator overflow bottle, replaced.
  
  MAF sensor went out, about a $300 part, easy DIY repair.
  
  Charcoal canister disintegrated, expensive to do at a garage because there was charcoal in the lines. Do yourself a favor and when you throw that EVAP code, fix it right away instead of driving on it for 10k like I did.
  
  Radiator replaced around 215k
  
  Timing belt and water pump replaced at 210k
  
  New rubber at 190k
  
  Spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor done at approx 190k
  
  Brake shoes at 170k
  
  Clutch replaced (almost certainly the original) at 219k!!
  
  Stock Bose stereo swapped out for Pioneer headunit
  
  a single O2 sensor replaced.
  
  Passenger side electric window switch replaced (easy ebay diy)

Its been a rock solid ride, although I would like to get 6-8 months in without having to drop a grand on something, which is the pattern. I plan on driving it until at least 260,000 if I can make it without any major engine problems. Currently I have a some sort of a suspension issue that is causing it to drift and it seems out of alignment all of a sudden. Feels like suspension. I'm taking into the shop tomorrow for a look see but I've been coming on these forums for years now for good intel and boooy there is a lot of it. Congratulations on a great community! Happy to add to it. Cheers all!

[04pathse]

Currently I have a some sort of a suspension issue that is causing it to drift and it seems out of alignment all of a sudden. Feels like suspension. ]

Might be this...

2001-pathfinder-rear-end-shimmy-wobble-t595712.html

replacing-rear-control-arms-guide-t5876 ... ath%20sway

[Warhorse2]

Currently I have a some sort of a suspension issue that is causing it to drift and it seems out of alignment all of a sudden. Feels like suspension. ]

Might be this...

Thanks for the reply 04pathse. I won't hijack the thread w a long reply but just got back from the suspension shop, its not the death wobble, rear susp is good. What it IS though, is the bushings for the front steering column were shot. . . one was crushed, one was MISSING. The whole column was sliding as a result, hella dangerous. Cheap fix though. Struts are also shot so add that to the list.

[WhoDatPopcorn]

01 SE, just bought last week. 132,000 miles. P01145 CEL. Engine and transmission still strong. Has whine from rear end...possibly needs front and rear pinion bearings not sure

[beams]

99 qx4 145,050 miles. just changed the struts in all 4 corners (bought the parts, did it myself). it's my daily driver and our activity car (snowboarding, camping, etc). i love this vehicle! had wanted one since i was in high school haha.

[nrobn]

2000 Pathfinder SE 3.3L R50 - Second owner - Purchased in 2004 (at 34K miles); I now have 222,000 miles and still going strong. Wish I could find another as rugged and reliable as this beast. :-) Only issue I have is a rough/sluggish shift into 2nd gear... Otherwise all is well.

[rmore98]

I have a 1999.5 Pathfinder with 213,000 Miles on it, and it has been in my family since new

[GStyle]

My 2000 Nissan Pathfinder has four hundred ten thousand miles and change

[EdBwoy]

My 2000 Nissan Pathfinder has four hundred ten thousand miles and change

You take the crown for this one. I sold my 2k2 Q with 313,***miles. Engine was strong, it's the other things around the vehicle that were falling apart.
Has it been in your possession since new? Any major repairs to keep it on the road?

Welcome to Nico!

[RR425]

158,000. Just got new 32" rubber today on 16x8 wheels. Hope this rig lasts me till 250,000. Getting a Nissan Armada then

Paint is real bad though so I plan to plasti-dip it anthracite grey this summer. And maybe replace the radiator by the end of the year for preventive maintenance.

[andy168]

hi! Original owner 03 Le Pathfinder with 221,100 miles.

[p598738]

I bought my QX4 in 2000. It had about 21K miles on it. After about 16 years it now as 188K miles. No major issues. The QX4 was and still is a great machine.

I did the timing belt at 93K and think I will do it again soon. What does it cost these days ?

Thanks.

[wesinatl]

2001 with approximately 192k on it.

Have replaced brake booster, trailing arms, front struts, rack and pinion, oil pan gasket. I change the oil every 5k. I need to fix a small leak in AC, change the spark plugs (never done it - thanks for making it inconvenient Nissan!) and possibly look into replacing the timing chain. I don't really want it to break where I am stuck somewhere. I too get false 02 sensor readings and they usually just go away eventually. CD player broke a long time ago...but who listens to CD's anymore.

[Donready1989]

I work in sales and when this pathfinder came in I couldn't pass it up . 2003 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4x4 pretty sure it's got every option offered that year . It's a 2 owner car with a branded title so we got in it VERY cheap . We were sending it to auction as a wholesale piece as we don't retail rebuilt / branded vehicles . After looking at the carfax I was intrigued it was deemed a lemon In 2004 with 12k miles and sold at auction . My dealership bought it and sold it to the last owner in 2005 . He then drove it for the last 12 years so I say to myself .. the problem must've been fixed / it wasn't a real problem . So today here I sit with a gem 12 years later the pathy has 62k miles .. service records from my dealership for the entirety of him owning it including oil changes , transmission, front and rear differential fluids flushed and changed , tires, brakes and calipers in the last 3k miles , mass air flow sensor last 2k miles . I'm still in shock I got this baby for 3500 on the road!!

[FlyingZippy]

My 2004 Pathfinder has 257k miles (and I'm on a 5 week road trip right now, carrying 6 hang gliders on top!)

My oil burning has recently add a leak
My paint is deteriorating rapidly.
I had to replace my catalytic converters to pass California emissions. Looking on here today because I need to do my brakes & wanted to check if there are any easy upgrades.
I started towing a travel trailer regularly last year, so I know I'm going to reduce my car's lifespan.

Overall, I'm so happy I bought this car 9 years ago w 38k miles & feel like I've hardly done anything to it. You should have seen the obstacles I overcame 2 years ago in Moab, Utah getting to a hang gliding launch! Pathfinders are amazingly capable!

[Bolide]

Just hit 435 000km's (270 000 miles). Original everything. Bought it off a friend whos family bought it with 125 000k

[Oracle]

My 2001 QX4 has just broken 130k...