1996 Nissan Pathfinder XE 2WD MT
All photo credits
- Photo: '00-'01 Nissan Pathfinder Chilkoot (Centropolis Laval '10) by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1997 Nissan Pathfinder (WX) RX wagon (2015-07-15) 01 by OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1997 Nissan Pathfinder (WX) RX wagon (2015-07-15) 02 by OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: PathfinderInterior01 by Sk5893, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1996 Nissan Pathfinder XE 2WD MT is a 168-hp 3.3-liter V6 SUV with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $22,399 MSRP and is rated at 17 mpg combined.
It makes 168 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 196 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (17 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $22,399 ($46,397 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.3L V6 (VG33E), gas, naturally aspirated |
| Displacement | 3.3 L |
| Horsepower | 168 hp @ 4,800 rpm |
| Torque | 196 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm |
| Injection Type | SFI (Sequential Fuel Injection) |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD (2WD) |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 1st Gear | 3.58 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.08 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.36 |
| 4th Gear | 1 |
| 5th Gear | 0.81 |
| Reverse | 3.64 |
| Final Drive | 4.64 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 16 MPG |
| Highway | 19 MPG |
| Combined | 17 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 21 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent strut |
| Rear Suspension | Rigid 5-link w/coil springs |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | 1.06 in |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | 0.59 in |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | 11.1 in x 1.10 in, vented |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 15 x 6.5 in |
| Wheels Rear | 15 x 6.5 in |
| Tires Front | P235/70R15 |
| Tires Rear | P235/70R15 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.5 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.5 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.7 in |
| Legroom Rear | 31.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.5 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 56.4 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder XE 2WD MT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Nissan PATHFINDER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Apr 20, 2011 · 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 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.
NHTSA campaign 11V244000
May 24, 2006 · 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 06E049000
Mar 23, 2006 · 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 06E026000
Feb 22, 1996 · 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 96V031000
Feb 22, 1996 · 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign 96V034000
159 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Nissan PATHFINDER
Owner Complaints
159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Nissan PATHFINDER (19 mention a crash, 16 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Suspension | 62 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Hydraulic | 14 |
| Tires | 14 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.