1991 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Recalls & Reliability

49 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder, alongside 1 recall campaign and 1 defect investigation. It scores 4/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

49Complaints
4/100Trouble index
1Recalls

Better year

Where 1991 sits among all Pathfinder years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Transmission & drivetrain 15 complaints (31%)
Engine 9 complaints (18%)
Wheels & tires 5 complaints (10%)
Steering 3 complaints (6%)
Seat belts 3 complaints (6%)
Fuel system 2 complaints (4%)

Recalls (1)

SEAT BELTS 95V103002 1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES…

Federal defect investigations

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE EA95007 opened 1995, closed 1995

Led to recall campaign 95V103002.

Technical service bulletins

30 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and wheels & tires — are on file for the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 1991 Pathfinder TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

1995peak 15 in 19972013

Questions buyers ask

Is the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

The 1991 Nissan Pathfinder drew 49 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 4/100, scored against the model's worst year (2005).

What are the most common 1991 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

The top reported problems for the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder are transmission & drivetrain (15 complaints), engine (9), and wheels & tires (5).

Does the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 1991 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.