1990 Nissan Pathfinder power train problems
13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder — 34% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Transmission failure. Transmission failed due to failure of internal componenets. There seem to be a large number of complaints around the transmission of the 1990 nissan pathfinders. I have had 2 transmission failures in 10 years of ownership. The primary driver of the vehicle for the first five…”
filed Jun 20, 2001
“There are 2 recurring problems that appear to be patent defects with most early 90's pathfinders. They deserve investigation by dot. First is premature and repeated failure of the automatic transmission, probably (but not certainly) due to inadequate oil cooling. I note that in the your database…”
filed Jun 22, 1999
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Exhibiting a whine noise while driving in all forward gears except 4th. *yc
NTB97002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 15, 1998Fs5r30a transmission whine. *jd
NTB97009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 12, 1997
Power Train problems in other Pathfinder years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Pathfinder | 6 | 13% |
| 2024 Pathfinder | 8 | 11% |
| 2023 Pathfinder | 12 | 12% |
| 2022 Pathfinder | 17 | 13% |
| 2020 Pathfinder | 9 | 17% |
| 2019 Pathfinder | 9 | 12% |
| 2018 Pathfinder | 11 | 14% |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 34 | 18% |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 6 | 6% |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 76 | 24% |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 214 | 37% |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 370 | 42% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1990 Nissan Pathfinder
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.