1996 Nissan Pathfinder

Trims and configurations

4 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.

• Pathfinder 2WD · 3.3L · RWD · 4-speed automatic
• Pathfinder 2WD · 3.3L · RWD · 5-speed manual
• Pathfinder 4WD · 3.3L · AWD · 4-speed automatic
• Pathfinder 4WD · 3.3L · AWD · 5-speed manual

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked October 20, 2026.

• 11V244000: STEERING:COLUMN

  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…

  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…

  Reported April 20, 2011. View on NHTSA

• 06E049000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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.

  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.

  Reported May 24, 2006. View on NHTSA

• 06E026000: EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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.

  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.

  Reported March 23, 2006. View on NHTSA

• 96V031000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

  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.

  Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CARPET PADDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL ADJACENT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

  Reported February 22, 1996. View on NHTSA

• 96V034000: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

  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.

  Remedy: DEALERS ARE REPLACING THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY HAVING DIFFERENT LUBRICANT.

  Reported February 22, 1996. View on NHTSA

Data sources

• EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 20, 2026 · US Government public data
• NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 20, 2026 · US Government public data

Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.

Related vehicles

• Van1995Gasoline
  1995 Nissan Pathfinder

  Van, Gasoline

  3.0L 6-cylinder ((FFS)) · Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD
  15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km)

• Vehicle1997Gasoline
  1997 Nissan Pathfinder

  Gasoline

  3.3L 6-cylinder ((FFS)) · Varies by configuration: RWD, AWD
  16 mpg (14.7 L/100 km) to 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km)

Frequently asked questions