2002 Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Pathfinder 2002

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2002 Nissan Pathfinder repairs by problem area

Engine (48%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (25%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 126 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder.

2002 Nissan Pathfinder repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (14%)

$500 - $999 (21%)

$100 - $499 (45%)

< $100 (20%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 101 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Nissan Pathfinder 4dr SUV

240-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

Nissan Pathfinder in North Carolina, United States
Nov 2010 - Nov 2011
Feb 2011

108400 mi

US $300
O2 sensors 
Nissan Pathfinder in California, United States
Feb 2013 - Mar 2014
Jan 2014

US $6
Third brake light became detached from inside rear window. 
Nissan Pathfinder in North Carolina, United States
Jun 2015 - Dec 2016
Jun 2016

150000 mi

US $300
replaced rear driver catalytic converter. replaced downstream O2 sensor. 
Nissan Pathfinder in California, United States
Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
Jun 2018

125000 mi

US $50
Squealing belts on startup. Both belts replaced. Pulleys lubricated. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Florida, United States
Aug 2008 - Mar 2010
Sep 2008

76000 mi

US $400
Fan clutch replaced. 
Nov 2008

76000 mi

US $215
Rear brake cylinders replaced and new pads put on 

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2002 Nissan Pathfinder 4dr SUV

240-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Nissan Pathfinder in Minnesota, United States
May 2009 - Mar 2010
Nov 2009

92000 mi

US $400
Muffler and post muffler (resonator) had to be replaced due to flange between muffler and post muffler rusted through. Corrosion too deep to be able to fix without replacement of both mufflers. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Alberta, Canada
Aug 2008 - Aug 2014
Apr 2008

77500 mi

C $450
Daytime Runnig Light block replaced 
Apr 2010

110222 mi

C $240
Left ball joint change 
May 2010

112980 mi

C $205
O2 sensor right rear replaced after "Check Engine" light went on Exhaust and catalytic converter fixed (welded) 
Nov 2010

117800 mi

C $270
Right ball joint replaced Right ball joint replaced 
Aug 2011

129580 mi

C $640
Strong vibration from driveline at speeds 60 and 90 km/hr. Both U-joints replaced.  Strong vibration at speeds 60 & 90km/h. Balanced 4 tires at the tire shop - still vibration. Nissan dealer replaced 2 (front) U-joints on the drive shaft. Problem solved, 97% of vibration is gone.  
Jul 2013

159420 mi

C $250
Sway bar link replaced - front 
Aug 2014

C $500
Front-left-inner wheel bearing disintegrated. Dealer asked some stupid money ($3,000) for new wheel bearing and half-axle. Chop-shop guys fixed all for $500. Car is still running fine with a new owner, friend of mine. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Ohio, United States
Nov 2014 - Jan 2017
Mar 2015

151000 mi

US $408
IACV valve needed replacement 
Oct 2015

157200 mi

US $200
Exhaust fell off 
Jan 2017

158000 mi

US $125
Had to replace intake air control valve. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Virginia, United States
Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
Oct 2017

145000 mi

US $150
Coolant system replaced. Radiator, hoses, thermostat. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Alberta, Canada
Jun 2016 - Jun 2016
Jun 2016

148800 mi

C $100
Replaced front passenger lower ball joint 
Nissan Pathfinder in Alberta, Canada
Aug 2005 - Jun 2011
Dec 2005

48980 mi

C $540
Daytime running light module failed. Driver's side low-beam wouldn't work, even after a bulb replacement. Expensive repair. 
Sep 2006

61938 mi
Front driveshaft replaced under warranty. Universal joint was vibrating. Free parts and labour. 
Mar 2007

70680 mi

C $200
Replaced all wheel studs. Front studs were breaking off, and lug nuts were loosening off. Probably the fault of a careless tire shop, but I have noticed another Pathfinder of the same year missing a front stud. 
Jul 2007

71920 mi

C $80
Rear wiper motor failed. Wiper would not move from rest position. Bought a unit from the wrecker for $80, Nissan price was over $500 for the wiper assembly. 
Aug 2007

72540 mi

C $480
Voltage regulator failed causing alternator output of between 16.4v and 19.1v and all the warning lights in the dash to flicker violently. Bought alternator through 3rd party as Nissan brand was over $520. 
Jun 2009

96720 mi

C $220
Power steering pump was leaking from main pulley seal. A rebuild kit was purchased, and pump was removed, but there was no way to remove the pulley without damaging it. I bought the 'new' pump from an auto wrecker for 1/3 the dealer price. 
Jul 2009

96720 mi

C $465
Exhaust had broken at flange above rear axle, causing exhaust leak to under-body of the vehicle. Melted small area of carpet inside the vehicle. Apparently a common and typical spot for the exhaust to fail in this vehicle. In area of fuel tank. 
Sep 2009

96720 mi

C $500
Broken exhaust flange above rear axle. Replaced all exhaust components from cats, back. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Michigan, United States
Jul 2013 - Jul 2015
Aug 2013

86000 mi

US $500
Blower motor replacement 
Nissan Pathfinder in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2009 - Oct 2015
Jul 2010

88660 mi

C $30
Worn front right sway bar end link caused mild clunk noise over bumps. Replaced with new one, $30. 
Dec 2011

104160 mi

C $285
replace OE muffler. Repair other exhaust joint leak. 
Jun 2012

109120 mi

C $325
Check engine light with 2 codes for a post-cat O2 sensor. TSB# NTB03-011 indicated ECM flash required. O2 sensor replaced, ECM flashed. 
Mar 2013

115940 mi

C $40
Drivers front sway bar end link was worn causing minor clunk noise over bumps. Owner replaced part. 
Nov 2013

119660 mi

C $515
Complete exhaust replaced from cat converter back: head pipes, muffler, tailpipe. The tail pipe had rotted at the connection over the axle, the muffler and head pipes were rotten. 
Sep 2014

126480 mi

C $75
Head gasket leaking coolant at pass rear side. Stop leak added to coolant system as the repair cost of the gasket was equal to vehicle value or damn close. 
Oct 2014

127100 mi

C $190
The previous headgasket leak which was treated with stop leak may have caused the radiator to fail. My guess is the sealant sealed the rad cap causing an overpressure condition. OEM rad replaced (easy job actually!). Not bad @205k km. 
Oct 2015

134540 mi
Pass high beam intermittent. Believed to be faukty DRL module - common solder issue. Unrepaired at time of sale. Used DRL module ~$40 
Nissan Pathfinder in Arizona, United States
Aug 2008 - Jun 2011
Jun 2009

58000 mi

US $120
P1130 code. I replaced a new swirl control valve solenoid vale unit but the SES light still on; told to disconnect battery for 1-2 hrs. then reconnect it to reset the light. Works for week, light comes back on again. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Oklahoma, United States
Dec 2012 - Dec 2014
Feb 2014

137000 mi

US $180
SUV is hard to start after setting 20-30 minutes. Problem is not present if engine is cold or hot, just if it sets for a short time. No cost, I had the shop clean the injectors as well as replace diff oil. 
Jul 2014

141500 mi

US $90
Rocker cover oil leak 
Nissan Pathfinder in Ohio, United States
Jul 2007 - Jun 2011
Nov 2007

90000 mi

US $325
Front Stabilizer Linkage was worn 
Jan 2008

95000 mi

US $127
Blower Amp went bad 
May 2010

157000 mi

US $500
Evap canister check valve went bad, which originally caused the MIL code to come on giving an erroneous small evap leak code. Eventually the check valve totally died in the closed position which caused the right code to come up. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Washington, United States
Jul 2009 - Mar 2010
Aug 2009

82000 mi

US $500
loud knocking-think throttle body screws getting loose and falling out as some have reported. I sold it-no way i'm paying big bucks for a seized engine in a 2002! I'm at ease now-be careful with this engine!! 

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2002 Nissan Pathfinder 4dr SUV

240-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

Nissan Pathfinder in Maryland, United States
Jun 2007 - Apr 2010
Jan 2007

49100 mi
Open intake manifold, loc-tite butterfly valves,Rpl. PCV,New Iridium Plugs (OE plugs still looked new). Truck has 3" lift, 32" tires, Manual Hubs, Open Element Pop-Charger, (3) 12" subwoofers...gets 13 MPG CITY and 21 HWY ! 
Jan 2009

62000 mi
Driver side rear spark plug hole is gathering oil, perhaps a new valve cover is in order. Truck consumes very little oil less than 1/2 QT per 5000K city driving. 
Apr 2010 Front end links replaced. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Quebec, Canada
Mar 2013 - May 2014
Apr 2013

112000 mi

C $2500
third or fourth trip - still not handled - vibration at several speeds - changed tires, balanced shafts (2 times), changed all rotating brake parts and checked for balance, checked wheels for balance, realigned drivetrain 
Jun 2013

113460 mi

C $480
vibration between 90 and 110 km/h - same as before changed front driveshaft rebalanced 4 times - no joy - changed front differential supports and realigned to equate driveshaft angles by modifying supports - no joy changed front driveshaft after checking vibration on the road and on the lift - exchanged parts with another working vehicle of same design and year to verify. ultimately found vibration from off-center non-Nissan front drive shaft U-joint. front right macpherson strut - spring broken at base this is the 4th spring to fail on this vehicle since 2008 
May 2014

119040 mi
Idiot lites would tell me the evaporation line on the gas tank was leaking. Does nothing, expensive to replace sensors, never fixed. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Virginia, United States
Nov 2016 - Jun 2018
Dec 2016

145000 mi
Needed to weld exhaust pipe into system. 
Apr 2017

147000 mi

US $120
Leaking oil pan 
Jun 2018

156000 mi

US $900
Replaced exhaust system (muffler and pipes). 
Nissan Pathfinder in Idaho, United States
Jan 2017 - Jul 2022
Apr 2021

3 mi

US $50
Plans for tailpipe was rusted and corroded shut. Cut out and removed, then sliced back together with a coupler 
Nissan Pathfinder in Minnesota, United States
Nov 2015 - Aug 2020
Apr 2016

142300 mi

US $425
Replaced front struts and sway bar links and also rear shocks. 
Nov 2016

145300 mi

US $40
Replaced bank 2 rear O2 sensor 
Nissan Pathfinder in British Columbia, Canada
Aug 2012 - Apr 2017
Sep 2012

61380 mi

C $800
rear trailing arm bushings replaced to correct high speed wobble (100km/hr) 
Jul 2016

72120 mi

C $1200
Replaced a pair of trailing arms that were supposedly replaced a few years back at another dishonest shop (and paid for), but were NOt replaced at all.  A second repair at this visit was replacement of the radiator fan clutch. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Minnesota, United States
Jul 2008 - Jul 2010
Aug 2008

90000 mi

US $1300
Replaced bad pwr steering hose, which was not faulty, and ended up replacing pwr steering pump as well. 
Nov 2008

93000 mi

US $730
Replaced battery myself due to low voltage and car not wanting to be jumped. Car started and ran for about 30 miles, then died. Needed new alternator to the tune of $730 installed at dealer. Aftermarket alternator was only 100 bucks cheaper. 
Nissan Pathfinder in California, United States
Nov 2005 - Mar 2010
May 2005

33000 mi
Linear actuator for driver seat failed. No movement. 
Aug 2008

73000 mi
Cooland leaks from radiator, overheating, SES light ON 
Dec 2008

80000 mi

US $700
Botched radiator. 
Nissan Pathfinder in British Columbia, Canada
Jul 2009 - Jan 2017
Mar 2011

126480 mi

C $800
Front brake pads, flush brake fluids, relace rear brake cylinders. Rear shock absorbers. 
Aug 2012

146560 mi

C $400
Replace belts 
Dec 2013

164920 mi

C $1100
Rear suspension bushings and shock bumper stops 
Jan 2014

142400 mi

C $300
Repair to gearing for antenna Door sagging on driver side. 
Jan 2017

164920 mi
Catalytic converter needs replacement or repair. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2009 - Aug 2021
Jun 2009

124000 mi

C $1200
Front wheel bearings replaced. Vibrating steering and braking: Full brake job. Rotors , pads, turned rear drums, etc. Replaced wheel bearings, fuel filter, serpentine belts. 
Jul 2009

125240 mi

C $900
Shocks and struts. Quick fix of a rattle in the exhaust system. Replaced front struts and rear shocks. Installed KYB-GR2's. Repaired rattling exhaust heat shields. 
Sep 2010

138880 mi

C $680
Road noise coming from front right wheel. Diagnosed as a faulty wheel bearing. Bearing replaced. Other bearing (left front wheel) was serviced. Both ball joints and right stabilizer link replaced at the same time. Noise is gone. 
May 2011

145080 mi

C $285
Vibration in drivetrain, at any speed. Had to replace U-joint in secondary driveshaft.  Vibration in drivetrain, at any speed. Had to replace U-joint in secondary driveshaft.  
Jun 2011

147560 mi

C $620
Loose rear suspension and noisy. lots of body sway at highway speeds. Replaced left and right rear lower control arms, plus driveshaft u-joint. Runs smooth and quiet again. Like new. 
Jan 2012

155000 mi

C $220
Loud exhaust noise. Repaired hole in muffler and exhaust pipe, as well as new clamps on loose tailpipe. 
Feb 2012

155600 mi

C $160
Power steering fluid leak. Power steering line sprung a leak. Replaced both steering lines to repair leak. 
Apr 2012

156640 mi

C $1300
Roof has been slowly rusting across the top of the windshield, allowing water to enter the cabin. Windshield was removed (and replaced), and the rusted area on the roof was repaired and repainted. 
Aug 2012

159920 mi

C $450
Exhaust leak. Replaced entire exhaust system. Exhaust parts purchased independently, then had dealership install the parts. 
Feb 2014

173060 mi

C $950
Truck would not idle. After much troubleshooting, problem was a bad IACV, which also took out the ECM (main computer). Replaced IACV and had the ECM repaired by Circuit Board Medics. Took 2 weeks to complete the repair. 
May 2014

176080 mi

C $50
Heating/cooling fan would only run on high setting. All other settings were dead. Had to replace the fan amp/resistor. Bought the part at the dealership and replaced it myself. 
Aug 2014

177320 mi

C $20
Gas leaking from filler tube when adding gas. Half inch hole in top of tube. Sourced a used gas filler neck/tube assembly at a wrecking yard and replaced it myself. Gas leaking from filler tube when adding gas. Half inch hole in top of tube. Sourced a used gas filler neck/tube assembly at a wrecking yard and replaced it myself. 
Sep 2014

178560 mi

C $520
Battery would not charge, truck died. New alternator and battery required. Purchased alternator from auto parts store, had mechanic replace it. Bought battery at Costco and replaced it myself. 
Apr 2015

182060 mi

C $1025
Rad sprung a leak, lost the anti-freeze and truck overheated. Replaced the radiator, upper and lower hoses and thermostat. 
Jul 2015

184140 mi

C $225
Truck would not start. Had to replace the starter motor/solenoid assembly. 
Dec 2015

186000 mi

C $175
Exhaust system noisy. Had to replace the resonator and exhaust pipe 
Mar 2016

186620 mi

C $160
Muffler rusted out. Replaced. 
Apr 2017

190960 mi

C $110
bad oxygen sensor needed replacement 
May 2017

191270 mi

C $800
Brake pedal went to the floor. Almost no braking. ABS and brake lights came on. Had a brake fluid leak and lost most of the fluid. Brake line at rear of vehicle was rusted out. Also had a leaky rear wheel cylinder. Brake line and wheel cylinder replaced, brake fluid flushed and replaced. Rear drum brakes adjusted as well as e-cable adjusted. 
May 2018

192820 mi

C $320
Broken left front spring. Replaced both front springs. 
Nissan Pathfinder in New York, United States
Jul 2010 - Mar 2017
Dec 2010

82000 mi

US $150
Rattle...heat shield 
Dec 2011

86000 mi

US $185
Rear 02 sensor went bad and was causing the "check engine" light to be lit. Sensor was replaced. 
Mar 2013

95000 mi

US $1000
Needed to patch exhaust piping 
Oct 2015

100000 mi

US $400
Exhaust. Catalytic converter replacement 
Oct 2016

101000 mi

US $1000
New exhaust system 
Nissan Pathfinder in Western Australia, Australia
Sep 2009 - May 2020
Feb 2015

165500 mi

A $1200
The original Butane fuel system was completely replaced with a new system. 
Apr 2016

177620 mi

A $550
Replaced Radiator, due to split in Top Tank 
Jul 2017

186000 mi

A $346
Engine would cut out intermittently while driving. then after waiting a while would then function. Finally on 1st July would not start at all, so into Workshop for Diagnosis. The fault was traced to bad Ignition Coil. Coil replaced and now all fine. 
Oct 2018

198400 mi

A $1200
Front Right Shock Absorber Strut Bent. Replaced both front struts and wheel alignment 

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2001.5 Nissan Pathfinder

Engine not specified

Nissan Pathfinder in Alabama, United States
Nov 2009 - Jan 2013
Dec 2009

205000 mi

US $250
CV joints replaced. The boots were cracked and joints worn out. 

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2001.5 Nissan Pathfinder 4dr SUV

240-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Nissan Pathfinder in South Carolina, United States
Mar 2012 - Sep 2015
Oct 2013

213800 mi

US $40
I had to replace the intake tube/elbow because cracks began forming allowing unmeasured air into engine. Took 10 minutes 
Dec 2013

218000 mi

US $150
Had to have alternator rebuilt. Bearing failed. 
Jun 2014

230000 mi

US $400
I replaced all the suspension components on the car. The trailing arms went bad so when I replaced them I had the shop replace the front and rear shocks, upper and lower trailing arms, swaybar end links and bushings. Truck drives like new. 
Dec 2014

240000 mi

US $200
Had to replace radiator due to leaks. 

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2001.5 Nissan Pathfinder 4dr SUV

240-horsepower 3.5L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

Nissan Pathfinder in New Jersey, United States
Aug 2008 - Apr 2010
Sep 2008

84000 mi

US $1200
Replaced shock absorbers and rear springs. The ride and handling had deteriorated progressively for the past 6 months. Rear ride height was improved by at least 3 " with new springs. I consider this normal wear and tear for 83,000 miles. Rear exhaust resonator fell off. It had rusted through at the joint where it connected to the main muffler. Repair shop told me this is a common failure on Pathfinders. Radiator was replaced. I noticed a faint smell of coolant while working on the front suspension. No leaks were apparent. After replacing radiator, the engine temp gauge was reading much lower temperature. The radiator core was partially clogged. 
Mar 2009

98000 mi
The driver's seat power mechanism broke and jammed the seat in the forward position. Second time, a common failure on the Pathfinder. Repair would cost $400.00 parts plus $150.00 in labor. I installed an aftermarket Recaro seat to end this problem. 
Nissan Pathfinder in Ontario, Canada
May 2009 - Aug 2009
Jun 2009

73160 mi

C $800
Replace blown front strut 

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2001.5 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door

6-cylinder manual 4WD

Nissan Pathfinder in New Brunswick, Canada
Jun 2008 - Mar 2010
Jul 2008

76260 mi
Burning excessive oil. Low compression on 3 cylinders. Truck requires new motor. 

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2001.5 Nissan Pathfinder 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Nissan in Guam
Dec 2008 - Jan 2013
Aug 2009

39680 mi

$700
valve cover gasket 
Jun 2012

57660 mi

$400
Replace distributor assembly. 
Oct 2012

59720 mi

$463
Replaced AC dryer, vacuum hoses and tubes, replace hose and freon piping, recharge freon. 
Dec 2012

60760 mi

$300
Replaced radiator, radiator already had leaks on the seams and spread to the rest of the radiator. 

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2001.5 Nissan Pathfinder

4-cylinder automatic AWD

Nissan Pathfinder in New Jersey, United States
Jul 2009 - Mar 2010
Aug 2009

111000 mi

US $300
mass air flow changed after car slowed running then stopped, overheated, and made whistling sounds Radiator changed with the persistent chk engine light code 

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2002 Nissan Pathfinder Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Nissan Pathfinder problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.