Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
0600902/08/200610019300Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit. *ak02/28/2006
0414312/21/200410016854Engine cranks but will not start with outside temperature below 32 degrees fahrenheit. *tt10/12/2005
0406706/04/200410007540Oil leak from front of transfer case.*mr07/01/2004
99063C05/17/200599063D10000401Engine will not start. nissan vehicle immobilizer system / nissan anti-theft system (nvis/nats) description key registration. *tt update. *tt02/26/2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
0409209/01/200410010378Repair of exhaust leak/noise at front tube. *tt11/17/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
06/13/2008510001
 Emissions code for a loose gas cap continually went off. took it to a different dealer after seeing selling dealer 3 times there is a cracked vent control valve causing a vapor leak. *tr
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
11/01/2009750001
 I own a 2003 nissan pathfinder le. took it to a nissan dealer and they said the passenger side resonator was leaking out of the outboard seam. the driver side resonator was leaking out of both the outboard and inboard seam. the exhaust could be very easily felt when the engine was running and there is exhaust smell in the cabin. the muffler was freely swinging. i had to replace the muffler. the resonators should be replaced by nissan as many people are having the same problem. i hope you can do something or that a class action lawsuit is filed. *tr
08/23/2007750001
 My husband and i purchased a new 2003 nissan pathfinder se in july 03. in 2007, the check engine light came on. we took it to a dealer, who informed us that we needed to have the entire exhaust system replaced due to a crack in the pipe and the 02 sensor was making the light come on. they never informed us of a patch kit available. we did have the entire exhaust system replaced in 2008. we later came to find out this problem is occurring for many others with the same vehicle. we are doubly concerned about the affect that this has had on my 3 year old's asthma and respiratory issues (considering the emissions issues and what i am hearing from other's who's small children have similar issues and who also have this issue with their 03 pathfinder). i would hope that a recall is required and that those of us affected will be duly compensated for nissan's safety failure. *tr
10/09/200873000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that the resignator, which quiets the engine and is located directly in front of the muffler, is coming apart. in addition, fumes were noticed coming out of the exhaust. the dealer stated that they have a replacement kit to repair the issue, but the contact does not want the kit. he would like the failure to be repaired instead. the vin was unknown. the failure mileage was 73,000.
08/01/2008700001
 I have a 2003 nissan pathfinder with cracked exhaust pipes. these pipes are cracking on 02-04 pathfinders, and this is a chronic problem. nissan provides (for $200 per side) a patch that includes a bracket filled with foam and some hose clamps. this patch lasted about a week before the problem occurred again. nissan will re-patch for another $400, or replace the parts (presumably with more defective parts) for upwards of $1500. please see the following link for a discussion among the dozens of owners with this problem : http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/nissan/ttg7l43u0aktkacbf. *tr
11/01/2008520001
 Faulty exhaust resonators from manufacturer resulting in serious exhaust emission leaks directly under cabin of vehicle in driver and front passenger positions. *tr
12/29/2008650001
 2003 nissan pathfinder. cracked resonators/catalytic converters under vehicle allowing exhaust gas to enter vehicle. this is a very common problem with 2002/2003 pathfinder owners and nissan refuses to take action to correct this dangerous issue. no payment assistance has been offered by nissan to help with the cost of the necessary repairs. *tr
12/10/2008500001
 1.) there were no specific events that led to the failure of my vehicle part. 2.) my 2003 nissan pathfinder with 50k miles on it has a cracked resonator pipe which are the front pipes that attach in to the catalytic converted. i have researched this problem online and there are over 200 people on this website: http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/nissan/ttg7l43u0aktkacbf that have the same problem that i do. this is a known issue across the entire country and needs to be addressed due to safety and emission issues. 3.) i patched the cracked pipe but the patch has since failed. i am looking at $1200 to put new exhaust pipes on a vehicle with 50k miles. nissan will not cover this under the 8/80 law due to it not specifically listing the resonator pipes as part of the catalytic converter. *tr
11/26/2008480541
 2003 nissan pathfinder catalytic converter failed at side seams and was patched once per nissan official recommendation. original patch has worn out and side seams are beginning to fail again. nissan is refusing to cover the catalytic converter to 8 year/80000 mile warranty. *tr
10/20/2008450001
 I have a 2003 nissan pathfinder. it has a cracked catalytic converter. it has less than 45,000 miles . nissan will not comply to the 8/80 law. *tr
10/08/2008635001
 The car lost power and then there was high heat from under the car followed by a small explosion when two catalytic converts burst side seams and began to leak. bennett nissan in wilton connecticut refused to replace the catalytic converts on both sides of the exhaust system. they claim that these are resonators and not covered under the eight year or 80,000 warranty. they also claim that if there is no check engine light that they are not part of the epa system. they offer a fix that seals the defect of this equipment and charge about $250. replacement with new parts costs about $1500. i think: 1) this causes a dangerous situation and is directly related to the epa system; 2) there is danger from fire or excessive exhaust fumes in the car. the dealer and nissan are obviously working to concert to avoid the repair under warranty and pushing the expensive repair to the consumer after they have no they beyond the 8/80000 mile coverage. this is wrong. this issue is on a 2003 pathfinder le that i have owned since it was new. *tr
05/13/2005220001
 Exhaust tubes on 2003 nissan pathfinder cracked before reached the 24,000 warranty expiration. nissan patched tubes rather than replaced them. the patch failed this year and i am fighting with them because they should have used new parts in the first place. i can not tell if this is endangering the environment, however, i know that many pathfinder owners are experiencing early failure of the exhaust system and nissan is not owning up to their design defect. *tr
01/01/19011
 2003 nissan pathfinder with exhaust leak. consumer states that technician stated the problem was a cracked catalytic converter. manufacturer stated the defected part was resonators not catalytic converters and was not covered under warranty. *kb
06/02/2008845001
 2003 nissan pathfinder exhaust system disintegrated at connection point (vehicle has 85,000 mi.). have had the dealership advise and cost will be $1200.00 to fix. have searched on-line and found problem to be widespread with 2002-2003 pathfinders. *tr
09/30/2007650001
 September 2007- went to repair shop for oil change, was made aware of cracked catalytic converter november 2007- rear exhaust pipe fell off january 2008- went to muffler shop, was told that 2 catalytic converters and entire exhaust pipe need replacing. may 2008- went to nissan dealer, was told that it is not my catalytic converters, but my down pipes that have severe cracks in them. quoted over $600 for repair kit, as this is something that they claim to have seen often enough to create a patch kit for. quoted $1300 for new parts. severe exhaust in the vehicle passenger compartment, both with windows opened and closed. vehicle only has 71,000 miles on it, and the catalytic converters, which 2 other repair shop have identified as the problem, are covered by warranty, but the down pipes, which only nissan claims to be the problem, are not. this is now a very expensive safety issue, as the exhaust is unbearable. *tr
11/23/200537200112/27/2003
 Maine vehicle safety inspection revealed crack along welded seam of exhaust resonator pipe assembly. vehicle had approximately 37,400 miles just out of basic warranty. dealer would not consider part failure under emissions warranty, but quoted repairs of nearly $200 or purchase of kit consisting of 4 metal bars, 4 band clamps and 1-2 oz of sealant for $70. nissan has issued service bulletin rtb04-094 ? repair of exhaust leak/noise at front tube implying they have had an on-going problem in this area. local dealer readily acknowledged multiple instances of this problem appearing locally. *tr
07/22/200731472110/05/2002
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan pathfinder. the contact noticed an exhaust leak coming from the vehicle. she took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that they would use a repair kit to remedy the failure. she was unsure if the vehicle would pass the safety inspection and stated that since there is an open tsb (nhtsa item number 10010378) for this failure, there should be a recall as well. the current and failure mileages were 31,472.
05/01/2004109/05/2003
 Dt: the contact owns a 2003 nissan pathfinder. the vehicle has an exhaust leak which was discovered because the contact became a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. she took the vehicle ito dealer for an oil change and had them check the exhaust system. they told her that there was a leak. the dealership showed her the leak. it was about four inches long. the leak was discovered on the driver's side of the vehicle. there was a technical service bulletin ,nhtsa item 10010378/service bulletin 04092; date of bulletin 9/1/2004 for this problem, but she was never notified because it was not a recall. she purchased a carbon monoxide detector, and it was letting her know that there was carbon monoxide in the vehicle while she was on her way to the dealership. the dealership told her they corrected the exhaust problem free of charge. the dealership show the contact that there was a 2001 nissan pathfinder that was in for service for the same problem. this problem became more intense since april 2005. the service invoice from the dealership stated: concern when in neutral and cold there is a ticking noise in left side of the engine, and there is a carbon monoxide smell in the vehicle, carbon monoxide found leak at heater pipe. the contact stated she claimed symptoms of carbon monoxide but she could not smell it because carbon monoxide is odorless so that statement in the service invoice was incorrect. *ak
07/15/200520400102/01/2004
 Dt: about three weeks ago, the consumer noticed the exhaust tubes split. the consumer noticed this when he started the vehicle in the garage. there was noise coming from the exhaust tubes. the owner noticed the vehicle was leaking exhaust fumes. then the vehicle was taken to the dealership and they repaired it. there were no warning lights on in the vehicle prior to this occurrence. the vehicle was regularly serviced. the owner has contacted the manufacturer, who stated they would call him back in 24 hours. the dealer did not replace the exhaust tubes, they just patched them. the consumer says there must be a defect where heat causes problems in the exhaust. *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
01/01/19011
 2003 nissan pathfinder with exhaust leak. consumer states that technician stated the problem was a cracked catalytic converter. manufacturer stated the defected part was resonators not catalytic converters and was not covered under warranty. *kb
10/27/2007107/01/2004
 My aaa light duty mechanic diagnosed my 2003 nissan pathfinder with a cracked catalytic converter. he told me it should be covered under warranty and under 8 years, 80,000 miles emissions law. i took the car in and asked, they told me it wasn't because it was actually the tubes and charged me $700 not including labor to replace. seems like the tubes should be covered under the same act since the cat converter can't function properly without the proper tubing. i think this dealership failed to comply with the warranty agreement and from the overwhelming number of similar complaints i've found, i believe nissan has shown no accountability to fix the issue. *tr
06/15/20074726912006/30/2006
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 nissan pathfinder. the contact heard a loud sound coming from underneath the front driver side of the vehicle. the sound was apparent from the exhaust pipes, especially when the accelerator pedal was depressed. she took the vehicle to the nissan dealer and they stated that the resonator and catalytic converter caused the vehicle to leak exhaust fumes. the dealer offered to repair the vehicle, for a service charge, using a repair kit. the vehicle has not been repaired because it was not covered under warranty. the contact has not yet notified the manufacturer. the failure mileage was 47,269 and current mileage wa 54,400.
07/13/20074900010/15/2006
 Cataylitc converter cracked, six to eight inches along welded seem with less than 50k miles. two seperate nissan dealers have recommended repairing the catalytic converter, with part #20711-5w90a, a band and sealant kit, at customer's expense, denying the defect in workmanship is covered under the federal emissions 8/80 warranty. both dealers state that the crack does not effect emissions.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
11/08/2007108/01/2004
 I took my 2003 pathfinder in for an unrelated matter and the service department diagnosed the cracked exhaust pipes at the front of the vehicle. i had never heard of this problem and it seems to me that any exhaust system should last at least four years on a normally used vehicle. i have 84,000 miles on mine so i guess it stands outside of any mandated warranties, but i do have a nissan gold plus warranty which should cover everything up to 100k miles. the service department said no and wanted $246 for the patch. do i have any other recourse? i live in virginia and the service manager said my vehicle wouldn't pass the next inspection without the patch. i noticed in an on line forum that this is actually a very wide spread problem with the 2002-03 nissan pathfinders. doesn't this manufacturers defect warrant a health hazard that should be reconciled by the company? couldn't the cracks subject passengers to lethal exposure to carbon monoxide gases? since it affects so many consumers, doesn't the problem pose a public health risk? *tr