Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 55 MPH, the check engine and oil lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, and it began smoking. The dealer stated that the vehicle was just overheating and not to worry. A few minutes later, the contact was informed that the vehicle was on fire. The entire front end of the vehicle burned to the ground. The fire and police departments arrived and the fire marshall had the vehicle towed to a junk yard. A police report was filed. The contact took pictures of the damage. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 102,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the check engine warning illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the oil pan was faulty. The failure mileage was 108,000.
I have taken my 2002 Nissan Pathfinder to the greenville, nc Nissan dealer on two separate occasions for an exhaust leak. After both visits, they have diagnosed the leak as "front tubes". The Nissan dealer states these are not considered catalysts. They state the "front tubes" are cracking down the sides and causing an exhaust leak on both of them directly under the driver and passenger seats of the vehicle. The dealer attempted to charge me $1400 to fix the issue. I have attempted to resolve this safety issue with them. I have taken the Pathfinder to an independent exhaust shop and they diagnosed both "front tubes" as catalytic converters being faulty. The Nissan dealer still refused to assist with the matter. This is a major exhaust leak happening due to a manufacturer defect. I researched the Nissan service manual for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder and located the exhaust diagram. …
2002 Nissan Pathfinder - split seams in resonators / catalytic converter the exhaust on this vehicle had been a bit noisy since it was about a year old. Recently when it went to a shop for some undercar work, I was informed that the catalytic converters were both split and needed to be replaced. I brought the car back to the dealer and requested replacement under the 8 year 80,000 mile warranty mandated on emissions equipment. They informed me that those parts were indeed leaking badly, and that Nissan had so many failures that they had developed a special patch kit for them. I declined the patch due to an excessive cost for a few large clamps and some exhaust cement. …
Nissan power control valve loose fasteners: my concern resonates with consumer safety that involves gross engine failure during operations due to loosening internal fasteners/components. While driving on a city street, I noticed an abrupt and unusual mechanical grinding sound coming from my vehicle (v6 Pathfinder). Eventually the car would not start. After having it towed to the dealer for diagnostics and service, the technician noticed that an internal power control valve was missing from the intake after he had removed the valve cover during his troubleshooting. I purchased this vehicle new (sole owner) and have never had any work/maintenance performed that required the valve cover to be removed. …
My 2002 Pathfinder has a overheating problem. It began approximately 2 months ago. While going down the interstate the engine temp. Rose and the cruise control malfunctioned. A local mechanic noticed the A/C compressor going bad, replaced this and problem still continued and became more frequent. Mechanic pressure tested radiator, it seemed fine, found two very tiny leaks, sealed them, put on a new radiator cap. Problem still continued. Took the vehicle to a Nissan dealer. They replaced fan clutch. Still same problem. Nissan dealer tried flushing radiator. Still overheating. Dealership thinks there is some kind of blockage in the radiator that they cannot flush out. They cannot create enough pressure to flush it properly. They recommend a new radiator. They are supposed to install it in 2 days. Hopefully this fixes my problem. I've replaced the whole engine cooling system. …
(1) no one single event lead up to the failure, the failure occurred over time. (2) exhaust systems "front tube" on both sides of the vehicle cracked and split at the seams. The morning was quite cool, donna stroud was driving to her next mail delivery stop, with the heater running full blast, when she experienced physical symptoms similar to a seizure, clenched fists, curled in wrists, shortness of breath, and dizziness. She had to ask a passerby to call 911 as she was unable to operate her phone with clenched hands. The fire department and an emergency medical team arrived quickly and went right to work the emts assessment revealed an unusual heart rhythm pattern and low blood oxygen levels. …
Details: we have been loyal Nissan customers since 1987 and my 2002 Pathfinder started making a loud rattling noise. We had it towed to the dealership and the technician checked it out and told us that 2 screws had fallen out of the power valve and were bouncing around in the cylinder, and there was nothing we had done wrong. It is a design flaw that Nissan refuse to correct. I am told it could have been corrected for $150.00. The cost of repair the Pathfinder is $7,899.99 which Nissan north American has refuse to pay. We have talked to their consumer affairs specialist and she refuse to authorize the dealership to fix this problem. After being a loyal Nissan customer since 1987, I do not understand why they refuses to help us. I have a 1994 with over 100,000 miles on it and never had any engine problems. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact heard a loud noise coming from her vehicle. In addition, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument control panel. She took her vehicle to a local repair shop and the technician stated that the catalytic converter was split in the middle. She took the vehicle to an authorized dealer and they stated that the resonator needed to be repaired instead of the catalytic converter. The repair would cost over $1,500. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact recently smelled vapors coming from her vehicle. She filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 58,000 and current mileage was 60,000. Updated 11/07/08. The front exhaust tubes were leaking and vent control valve was leaking. Updated 11/07/08.
1: events leading to failure: 2002 Nissan Pathfinder, 71,000 miles. Loud exhaust sounds. Dealership looked at car (charged $50 to look) and reported the exhaust system pipes going into the catalytic converter are cracked - again - already repaired once. Dealership will not repair/replace without charge. This is a recurring defect and possibly an emissions problem. The pipes carry exhaust from engine into catalytic converter and muffler and they are leaking and this is not the first time for this vehicle or many others online. Dealership mechanic specifically told me, "we see this alot" ?!?! Defective! Nothing has been done to correct, I need assistance ensuring that the dealership takes responsibility for a recurring issue.
Engine complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder, 26% of the model year's 156 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.