Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
NTB98026A04/15/1999NT98026604772Some vehicles with manual transmission may exhibit engine surging or stumbling, and black smoke from the exhaust when the engine is started after a cold soak. *tt05/12/1999
NTB9802604/01/1998600090Exhibiting engine surging or stumbling when cold. *yc04/23/1998
NTB9506907/01/199545007Hard/no star at high elevation and low temperature. *tw11/01/1995
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
NTB96065A11/13/2000NTB96065615864Experiencing an engine knocking noise when the engine is started after an overnight cold soak, especially in cold weather. *tt02/01/2001
FC000982810/01/199437994Engine stumbles after hot soak or engine runs poorly when cold. *tw02/09/1995
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
NTB9503707/01/199545798Malfunction indicator light (mil)'on' and poor driveability due to water in oxygen sensor. *sd04/25/1996

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE
11/03/2012162000
 The contact owns a 1995 nissan pathfinder. while driving approximately 50 mph, a clicking noise was heard from the outside of the vehicle. the failure recurred sporadically before progressing to a permanent occurrence. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the failure was contributed to the exhaust manifold, which required replacement. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 162,000. kmj
11/03/2012162000
 The contact owns a 1995 nissan pathfinder. while driving approximate ly 50 mph, a clicking noise emitted from the outside of the vehicle. the failure occurred sporadic and then progressed to permanent. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the problem was contributed to the exhaust manifold which required replacement. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the defect. the approximate failure mileage was 162,000. js
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
04/01/20051
 1995 nissan pathfinder frame broke in half.***no answer required***. *mr on june 19th the consumer had all four pneumatic air ride shocks replaced along with all the belts and water pump. on the way home from having these repairs done the frame broke in half. the entire frame had rusted through. the consumer believes the frame was made with inferior metal. *nm
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
11/25/199980000103/01/1995
 Engine knocking when started cold. transmission will not go into reverse. **** dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****724554. *ak *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
10/01/2001
 Vehicle has stalled 5 times around 35-45 mph, dealer has replaced battery and alternator. this has not remedied the problem.*ak
07/24/2001108/01/1999
 A connecting rod failed and destroyed the engine at normal operating speed. was told that certain 6 cylinder nissan engines of 1995-96 were recalled,warrantied for just such a problem, failed rods, crankshafts.*ak
11/01/1995
 Engine reported as defective in 1996, now dealer denies it.
106/01/1998
 Engine knocks when started. service bulletin sbn-008
10/01/1997
 The engine make a pinging noise after a cold start, especially during colder weather == the vehicle security system failed
109/01/1995
 Engine failed.
112/01/1995
 Knocking noise from engine upon start up.
02/27/19970
 The vehicle had been parked for 30 seconds after a 8 mile drive and the engine compartment caugth on fire. please describe details. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
10/13/2008700001
 1995 nissan pathfinder xe frame rot, scaling and faulty manifold studs or manifold (related vehicle information: model year=1995, make=nissan, model=pathfinder). *tr
02/21/2001106/01/2000
 No summary. dt
105/12/1998
 Exhaust leak, could result in a fire.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
102/01/2001
 I was told by a mechanic that this an extremely common problem due to poor manufacturing and this problem is under investigation. didi they ever do a recall? i was also told that if i fixed the manifold and head bolts that this problem would repeat itself. is there any thing i can do ? thank you.*ak
04/21/19971
 Intermittent surging, stalling.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
02/15/2006107000109/01/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25mph uphill, the carpet around the gear shift suddenly erupted into flames. the flames were extinguished by the driver with water and the authorities were not contacted. the vehicle was towed to the contact's home and later transferred to the insurance agency for inspection. upon inspection it was determined the heat shield was missing from the catalytic converter and the floor board in that area was completely rusted through allowing extreme heat to contact the carpet. the contact is concerned about the dealer selling the vehicle without first inspecting for safety problems. the rust could have easily been viewed by simply inspecting the undercarriage.
06/29/20041500002
 Vehicle stalled while driving. when this occurred consumer coasted the truck off the road. upon exiting the truck consumer noticed gasoline leaking out of the smog filter. truck was towed to a mechanic after the fire department had secured it for travel. mechanic indicated that one or two of the valves in the fuel system, and the fuel cap could be the cause. both valves, fuel cap, and the smog filter were replaced, but the failure recurred.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
06/25/2005830001
 Last february it was the right side exhaust manifold bolts. this year it was the left side. fortunately i knew what it was when i heard that familiar ticking noise. again, i'm told this is a common problem with the nissan pathfinder, and i could have severely damaged my engine had i not brought it in when i had. *jb
02/07/2005650001
 Engine was making a ticking noise, so i brought it into the dealership and was told it was the right-side exhaust manifold bolts that had broken off. i was told this was a common problem, and if not caught in time would cause extensive damage to my engine. *jb
12/01/20041
 While the vehicle was parked fluid was leaking from underneath the vehicle. consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the manifold needed to be replaced. *ak
01/02/20041
 Same problem as everyone else with a 1995 pathfinder - manifold bolts have broken and a very expensive repair is necessary. it's been bad for a long time and i've just ignored the ticking sound.*ak
11/28/2003140000109/01/1998
 Exhaust manifold studs broke on passenger's side of engine. found it a common problem that nissan won't fix. *ak
11/07/2002111/07/2002
 Bolts on exhaust broke. *tt
05/19/20033
 @ 50k left manifold failure - replace/covered by warranty. @ 65k right manifold failure, not covered by warranty, paid out of pocket to replace. now, @ 90k another manifold failure. *nlm
04/14/20038000006/11/1998
 Driver and passenger side exhaust manifolds have failed and have been replaced. carbon monoxide was entering directly into the passenger compartment and forced me to pay the ~$900 to have them repaired. attempting to receive reimbursement from manufacturer. *nlm
03/28/1995103000207/01/2002
 Passenger side front most cylinder had one exhaust manifold stud break off and after carefully inspecting other studs on passenger side at least one more is broken. seems like a common problem, but very expensive to fix also very frustrating!!! *jb
1
 The left and right exhaust manifolds warped.*ak *jb
08/20/200165000011/06/1997
 At my 60k service the mechanic diagnosed a faulty exhaust manifold and replaced it. fortunately, this was covered by my extended warranty. i've come to realize that is was a common problem with nissan pathfinders although no recalls have been instituted. i'm concerned that this will reoccur again as my vehicle approached 100k.
01/31/200394200206/15/1997
 Exhaust manifold stud broken
08/26/20002
 Exhaust manifold bolts broken. obviuosly nissan is aware that this is a constant problem for pathfinder owners. their neglect at addressing this situation compounds my frustration. wilson nissan in logan utah espects me to replace them at my cost every time they break, which could happen as soon as they are replaced. i suggest a class action lawsuit from all owners of these vehicles is in order to get nissan to address this problem. had known of this i never would have bought a nissan product, and i never will again.
10/01/2001102/01/2096
 Exhaust manifold studs broke, causing exhaust leak on right & left sides of engine. *ak
01/10/1998301/01/2095
 Exhaust leak at right exhaust manifold. three studs failed allowing manifold to pull away from cylinder head causing head warpage. fourth occurrence on same side of manifold.*ak
08/01/2000207/11/1995
 Problem with exhaust manifold bolts that secure it to engine head. nissan is aware of the design flaws. manifold directs hot exhaust gas back into the exhaust system to be burned or expelled from the car. no recall, but nissan knows the angle of the manifold curve is misaligned. gas hits the metal head on and overheats the manifold and studs. the heat warps the metal and shears the bolts which should keep the part secure.
02/14/2002112/01/1994
 Right side manifold failed, bolts broken in engine. this is a known nissan defect and subject of many complaints.*ak
06/15/2001
 While driving heard noise from the exhaust system, and exhaust fumes were coming into vehicle. vehicle taken to dealer, and informed consumer that bolts on exhaust manifold had broken off. warranty expired, and there was no recall. feel free to provide any further information. *ak
06/04/2001202/01/1999
 Exhaust manifold bolt broken, also happened 5/00 with right manifold. *ak
05/14/20011
 Three bolts from engine manifold broke while driving at highway speed of 55 mph. dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak a mechanice at a garage stated the bolts are made of aluminum and that they break very easily. *slc
01/05/2000509/01/1995
 Manifold warps breaking bolts & leaks exhaust. this time instead of the bolts breaking they are pulled out of the cylinder head requiring the head to be replaced. *ak
03/01/200003/01/1997
 Manifold gasket leaking (i also owned a '91 pathfinder that had to have each manifold gasket replaced twice) . several transmission parts req'd replacement as well as the computer that drives the transmission.*ak
12/22/2000409/01/1995
 Right oem manifold #4, installed by nissan is warped and leaking exhaust again. this is now the 6th one to be replaced counting both right and left. all replaced using oem equipment, purchased and installed by authorized nissan dealer *ak
10/01/200010/01/1995
 There exists a condition where the exhaust manifold warps, shearing the bolts. this is a $500+ repair job. this has been known to nissan since (at least) 1992. yet they continued to manufacture a flawed design. is this not fraud? nhtsa states on the website that safety-related failures must be repaired by the mfg- in this case, if the vehicle is at idle exhaust fumes enter the cabin, and can suffocate those inside. *ak
11/25/2000109/01/1998
 Exhaust manifold bolts are failing, causing exhaust leaks. this is a well known and documented problem (tsb94041) that any mechanic will attest to. total repair is 800.00 for both sides. nissan refuses to offer any help in the matter. carbon monoxide may enter the vehicle if it is not fixed. *ak
09/15/2000107/01/1998
 Exhaust leak on right side due to cracked bolts and warped manifold. there is a posted recall for the 1996- 1998 pathfinder that have this same problem, why would this not cover earlier years if this is a known manufacturer defect.
09/01/2000201/01/1995
 Right exhaust manifold replaced, then 40000 or so miles later bolts broken on both the right and left manifold. reverse in the transmission did not work, had to replace the complete transmission. drivers sunvisor is bad design, you have problems seeing when it is down.
07/19/200007/01/1995
 This problem involves the exhaust manifold and the bolts that secure it to the engine head. thousands of mechanics around the world will testify that nissan is well aware of the design flaw inherent in the manifold. heres what happenssuper heated exhaust fires out from the piston head and is captured by the manifold. but, due to the angle of the manifold curve (the bend in the metal piping) the gas hits the metal too head on and over-heats the manifold. the heat is so intense that it warp the metal. the toque of the bending metal is so strong it literally shears the bolts that are supposed to secure the manifold to the head. the metal should never get that hot, yet it does solely because of nissans design flaw. according to the nissan dealer i talked with.this problem then leaks carbon monoxide into the car. one mechanic said he sees maybe 4 of these every two weeks! (pathfinder and maximas) this problem is costing consumers a lot of money. please help.
08/19/2000309/01/1995
 Exhaust manifolds have both been replaced due to them warping and the leaking exhaust. they were replaced at 75,000 and 90,191 miles. now at 143500 the right one is warped and leaking exhaust again. from what i have learned, this had been an ongoing problem with nissan and this engine in the trucks and pathfinders. none of the work done to repair these problems has been covered by any warranty.
05/15/2000110/01/1998
 There is a ticking noise every time the vehicle is started, which lessens as the engine warms up. i was told it was an exhaust leak caused by a bolt that had been sheared off causing a gap between the exhaust and the manifold. also, that this was a very common problem reported on pathfinder's. *ak
06/15/1999
 Bolts are snapping off and the engine manifold is breaking.dealer was contacted, and stated because the consumer went to another dealer nissan will not be held liable. *ak
03/20/1999201/01/1995
 I have recently had to replace my right exhaust manifold due to a very noisy leak including exhaust leaking into the passenger compartment (rotten egg smell) with the ventilation system running!!! not a good situation to have. the mechanic at town north nissan (austin, tx) said that either the manifold bolts or the gasket failure caused the manifold to distort, causing the leak. after 2 weeks, i have noticed that the left manifold is now leaking at the gasket too. the labor and 2 new manifolds will cost a total of $1000 to fix. i have talked to a lot of nissan pathfinder owners that have noticed the samething. see web site http://saturn.guestworld.tripod.lycos.com/wgb/wgbview.dbm?owner=pathqa for more information. *ak
09/15/1998107/01/1998
 Right exhaust manifold leaks causing the fumes to enter the passenger compartment.
04/10/19986
 Every time vehicle is started a ticking noise happens. after warmed up noise goes away. noise in exhaust manifold. an intermittent problem that happens when weather is cold. not at dealership yet. *ak
12/01/199708/30/1997
 Left and right exhaust manifold studs failed.