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1996 Nissan Pathfinder recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Nissan been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Nissan dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1996 Nissan Pathfinder recalls, newest first

April 20, 2011NHTSA 11V244000195,991 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Front

Summary
Nissan is recalling certain model year 1996-2004 pathfinder and model year 1997-2003 Infiniti QX4 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin. In areas of the country in which heavy concentrations of road salt are used, a mixture of snow/water and salt may enter an assembly location hole in the upper strut housing, causing water to collect at the mating surface of the strut housing panel and the inner hood ledge assembly. Over time, this snow/water and salt intrusion may result in corrosion of the strut tower housing in some subject vehicles.
Consequence
The strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly. This may lead to grinding noises, increased steering effort, and possibly the steering column to break, resulting in the loss of steering control, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. An interim notification letter was sent out in may 2011. The second notice was mailed on July 25, 2011. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Components
Suspension › Front; Steering › Column

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E04900027,176 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 23, 2006NHTSA 06E02600061,944 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Consequence
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 22, 1996NHTSA 96V0340001,775 vehicles potentially affected

Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Summary
Due to the type of lubricant used in the steering transfer gear assembly, the effort required to turn the steering wheel at low ambient temperatures (less than -30 c) could increase to the point where some drivers would have difficulty in turning the wheel.
Consequence
This condition could result in the inability to change the direction of the vehicle while attempting to turn the wheel, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers are replacing the steering transfer gear assembly with a new assembly having different lubricant.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 22, 1996NHTSA 96V0310001,775 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages

Summary
Due to the thickness of the carpet padding on the transmission tunnel, the space between the brake pedal and the transmission tunnel could catch a driver's right foot under the brake pedal.
Consequence
This condition could inhibit a driver from applying the brakes, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the carpet padding on the transmission tunnel adjacent to the accelerator pedal.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 159 complaints about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
19
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
28
Deaths reported
3

Most complained-about components

  1. Suspension30
  2. Suspension › Rear22
  3. Service brakes15
  4. Steering13
  5. Air bags › Frontal8

Other Nissan Pathfinder years

Other 1996 Nissan models

Most recalled 1996 vehicles

  1. 1996 Dodge Caravan (16 recalls)
  2. 1996 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
  3. 1996 Dodge Ram (14 recalls)
  4. 1996 Plymouth Voyager (13 recalls)
  5. 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)
All of 1996’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, steering, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1996 Nissan Pathfinder recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Nissan dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder?
159 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.