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1998 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4WD AT

The 1998 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4WD AT is a 168-hp 3.3-liter V6 SUV with a 4-speed electronically-controlled automatic w/od and four-wheel drive. It starts at $32,849 MSRP and is rated at 15 mpg combined.

It makes 168 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 196 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 17 mpg highway (15 mpg combined).

The Pathfinder measures 178.6 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,145 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$32,849 ($65,496 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.3L V6 (VG33E), gas, naturally aspirated
Displacement3.3 L
Horsepower168 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque196 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Injection TypeSFI (Sequential Fuel Injection)
Drivetrain
Drive Type4WD (shift-on-the-fly part-time)
Transmission
Transmission4-speed electronically-controlled automatic w/OD
1st Gear2.79
2nd Gear1.55
3rd Gear1
4th Gear0.69
Reverse2.27
Final Drive4.36
Fuel Economy
City14 MPG
Highway17 MPG
Combined15 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity21.1 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent strut
Rear SuspensionRigid 5-link w/coil springs
Front Stabilizer Bar1.06 in
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.59 in
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.1 in x 1.10 in, vented
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15 x 6.5 in
Wheels Rear15 x 6.5 in
Tires FrontP235/70R15
Tires RearP235/70R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length178.6 in
Width72.4 in
Height67.9 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Front Track59 in
Rear Track59.3 in
Ground Clearance8.3 in
Cargo Volume85 ft³
Curb Weight4,145 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.5 in
Headroom Rear37.5 in
Legroom Front41.7 in
Legroom Rear31.8 in
Shoulder Room Front56.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear56.4 in
Hip Room Front54.1 in
Hip Room Rear51.4 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 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

Sep 18, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 07V435000

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

149 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Nissan PATHFINDER

Owner Complaints

149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Nissan PATHFINDER (21 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 14 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Suspension47
Power Train20
Vehicle Speed Control16
Service Brakes15
Structure14
Hydraulic13
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 18, 2018 · Suspension, Unknown Or Other
“OUR 1998 PATHFINDER HAS WHAT IS DESCRIBED BY MANY PEOPLE AS A "DEATH WOBBLE." IT BEGAN AFTER WE BOUGHT IT IN 2003 AND HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. IT HAPPENED AS RECENTLY AS 2017 AND I AM…”
Oct 16, 2017 · Steering, Suspension, Structure
“I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND…”
Aug 18, 2017 · Air Bags Crash 2 injuries
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED DURING A RAINSTORM, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON IMPACT, THE CONTACT AND…”
May 2, 2017 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“WE OWN A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE . THE ORDER OF GASOLINE WAS SO STRONG IT FILLED THE FIRST FLOOR OF MY HOME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. HE…”
May 2, 2017 · Steering, Air Bags Crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE…”

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 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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