1998 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.3 from North America

Summary:

Worth its weight in gold if you don't mind the poor mileage

Faults:

Ash tray lid broke off. Front brakes need to be replaced.

Something wrong with the steering, you can feel every single bump in the road and the steering wheel likes to bounce around a lot.

The vehicle itself seems to bouncy a lot more too, when hitting bumps or going over depressions, etc.

General Comments:

This is a very good vehicle. It is very reliable and we have had zero major problems with it so far, but I believe some little things need to be replaced.

My major pet peeve about this thing is its gas mileage, which is horrible, and the power. It has very little passing power and I believe it to be big time under-powered.

Almost every time I try to get into 4L and back to 4H the gears grind like crazy - Yes, I have it in neutral and it's parked, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

As well, the 4x4 doesn't like to disengage sometimes, I find this very annoying if I'm trying to drive on the highway since you're not suppose to go over 80km/hr in 4x4 mode.

In spite of these relatively little problems, I am glad I got this vehicle, and I plan on buying a early 90's one just for fun!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st June, 2004

3rd Sep 2005, 20:30

Just want to update. At about 180000km mileage, the transmission blew up completely. The warranty people were disgustingly incompetent and cheap. They wanted us to get a used transmission of equal mileage, instead we got a rebuild kit, but had to pay the difference. The tranny shop we had to send it to were completely incompetent, and were so rude my mom got mad at one of the workers.

Interestingly, about a week after we got it back, the vehicle died while on the highway. We obviously thought it was the tranny and had it sent back to the shop. Turns out the computer somehow got loose and was melted on the engine. How does the computer get loose??? No, I don't think so. It's obvious that they either moved it by accident or that one employee did it on purpose. Either way it cost thousands to get it replaced, and we had to pay for it. The transmission has never been the same. It doesn't feel right and it makes odd noises. I don't trust it anymore and it will replaced ASAP.

1998 Nissan Pathfinder SE 3.3L from North America

Summary:

Shop around before buying

Faults:

Brakes squeak like crazy for the first minute of the drive. Took it to the dealer, he couldn't fix it!!!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th June, 2000

10th Jun 2002, 00:03

When warning others to shop around before purchasing a vehicle such as yours, you should state more examples of why you are disappointed with it. I read several other reviews praising the vehicle with several reasons to warrant such praise. I think I may buy one.

27th Nov 2004, 20:57

I obtained a '98 Pathfinder in August of 2000. It had 16000 miles on it. Now (November 2004) I just turned over 106,000 miles, and the vehicle has been mostly trouble-free. The only major non-routine repair has been replacement of the right-side exhaust manifold due to a crack. I am told by several other owners that this is a design defect, and might be replaced by Nissan if the truck has less than 100,000 miles. Bose stereo (factory option) is non-repairable by local shops, and must be sent to an independent specialty shop. Independent service facilities have served me well in doing routine maintenance. Change oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles; otherwise, follow Nissan maintenance recommended. Excellent vehicle, still running great and looking good.