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1998 Nissan Pathfinder Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1998 Nissan Pathfinder has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front strut housing and strut tower corrosion.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder.

Reported to NHTSA

Front strut housing and strut tower corrosion

STRUCTURE

15 NHTSA complaints · 2008-07 → 2017-10

“THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE UPON INSPECTION I REALIZED THE FRONT LEFT STRUT TOWER SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTION FROM A REGISTERED REPAIR SHOP THEY RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNREPAIRABLE DUE TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10372372
“FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL AT STRUT MOUNT HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT 155000 MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE CAR. HAVE FOUND OTHER EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF FAILURE OCCURS WHILE TOWING. DEALER SAYS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10324981
“I DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER HAS BEGUN TO TEAR AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE BODY AT ITS BASE. THERE IS VISIBLE CORROSION AT THE BASE. I RECENTLY NOTICED UNUSUAL SWAYING AFTER HITTING BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER IS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10235441

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel filler tube leak and recall 07V435

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2008-02 → 2014-01

“1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD A RECALL FOR THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL CAME AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL FILLER TUBE BEGAN LEAKING AT A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10242590
“I RECENTLY RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY NISSAN FOR THE FUEL FILLER TUBE. I HAD THIS REPLACED IN SEPT. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE IT FIXED AT A NISSAN DEALER THAT I HAVE TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER TO MAKE SURE IT WAS DONE PROPERLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10216834
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V435000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE CONTACT STATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10346153

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission and drivetrain failure

POWER TRAIN

12 NHTSA complaints · 1998-12 → 2015-06

“THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY CAR. AFTER TRAVELING FROM PHILADELPHIA TO QUEENS NY APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT I SLOWED DOWN WHILE DOING SO THE SUV SUDDENLY MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE ENGINE REVED VERY HIGH HOWEVER THE OUTPUT OF THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10043886
“DT: THE CONTACT OWNS 1998, NISSAN PATHFINDER. TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AT 114,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE FILTER HAD BEEN CHANGED THREE TIMES, AND SHE ALSO CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. A RING GEAR AND A BUNCH OF METAL SHAVINGS WAS FOUND IN THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10126524
“TRANSMISSION DRIVE CAUSES A BIG CLUNKING NOISE WHEN IN DRIVE POSITION, IT HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING OR STARTING. NISSAN DEALER INDICATED THAT REPAIR IS ONLY DONE TO VEHICLES UNDER 60K MILES EVEN THOUGH THEY RECOGNIZED IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. ****DIMS 11”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10006460

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear end sway at highway speeds

SUSPENSION

18 NHTSA complaints · 2001-05 → 2011-07

“98 NISSAN PATHFINDER - EXTREME REAR END SWAY OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. RESULT OF FAULTY UPPER & LOWER REAR ARM BUSHINGS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT CREATES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS UNCONTROLLABLE BACK AND FORTH SWAY AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10206874
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH, THE REAR END WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10412003
“REFER TO INTERNAL NISSAN MOTORS -TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN -NTB98-001. BUSHING FAILURE ON UPPER AND LOWER REAR CONTROL LINK ARM BUSHINGS THAT RESULT IN EXCESSIVE REAR SWAY IN THE VEHICLE AND LOSS OF CONTROL AT HIGH SPEEDS THIS IS WELL DESCRIBED BY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10170236

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Accelerator pedal sticking and sudden acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

12 NHTSA complaints · 2000-04 → 2011-01

“I HAVE A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER, THERE ARE SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR. WHENEVER I GIVE IT GAS TO MAKE IT DRIVER, THE GAS PEDAL, "STICKS" AND THEN UNEXPECTEDLY "CATCHES" AND SEND THE VEHICLE ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL. IT'S BEEN THIS WAY SINCE I”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10361319
“RE: 98' NISSAN PATHFINDER SE THE GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE IT STICKS, SO YOU HAVE TO PUSH HARD ON THE PEDAL WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD AND ACCELERATE. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10138445
“THIS IS THE SECOND 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER I'VE OWNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE STICKS IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION FORCING ONE TO APPLY GREAT FORCE TO PROCEED FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THIS HAS BEEN DANGEROUS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND NEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10051260

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 1999-02 → 2017-05

“ON APRIL 7, 2004, MY SON AND I WERE INVLOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED FRONT TO BACK AND SIDE TO SIDE LANDING IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10065949
“COMING FROM A STOP DRIVER WAS ABOUT TO MAKE LEFT HAND TURN WHEN A HEAVY TRUCK GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH HIT FRONT PORTION OF VEHICLE, CAUSING ABOUT $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. ALSO, UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #878830
“AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON DIRECT FRONT END IMPACT AT 55 MPH. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #703417

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

128 crashes 1990–2024

How the 128 occupant deaths break down

86

driver deaths

42

passenger deaths

128

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1997 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

23

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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