1994 Nissan Pathfinder: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder: 2 recalls, 91 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #96V170001 · 1996 · 84,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The latch plate used in the seat belt buckle was not manufactured according to design dimensions. If the seat belt tongue is inserted slowly at an angle into the buckle, there is a possibility of partial engagement.
Why it matters: This condition can cause the seat belt tongue to come out of the buckle in the event of a collision or hard braking of the vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury to an occupant of the seat.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the buckle and, if necessary, replace the buckle assembly with a new buckle.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #02V125000 · 2002 · 92,500 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain light duty pickup trucks, the latch plate used in the seat belt buckle was not manufactured according to design dimensions. If the seat belt tongue is inserted slowly at an angle into the buckle, there is a possibility of partial engagement.
Why it matters: This condition can cause the seat belt tongue to come out of the buckle in the event of a collision or hard braking of the vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury to an occupant of the seat.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the buckle and, if necessary, replace the buckle assembly with a new buckle. Owner notification began May 22, 2002.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (35): the most common themes are noise or vibration (4), stalls / loses power (2), overheating (2).
- Body & structure (23): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (15), door / lock issues (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (10): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4).
- Speed control / throttle (7): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (2).
The 1994 Nissan Pathfinder has 91 owner complaints, ranking #21 of 36 Pathfinder model years for complaints (well below the 203 average). Complaints peaked in 1999 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 127,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1993 (49 complaints, 0 recalls), 1995 (170 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1994 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (35), body & structure (23), transmission & drivetrain (10).
What gas mileage does the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.