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2003 NISSAN Pathfinder

7 recalls Risk Grade: B- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #11V244000 Plain English
Component

STEERING:COLUMN

Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
What Happened
The steering column in your Pathfinder or Infiniti QX4 is the long rod that connects your steering wheel to the front wheels. In some 1996-2004 models, road salt and water can seep into a small hole in the steering column, causing corrosion and damage.
Risk if Unfixed
If the steering column corrodes, it could crack and break, making it hard to steer your vehicle. This could lead to a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your Nissan dealer will inspect the steering column and fix any damage, free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #20V008000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
What Happened
The airbag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in the event of a crash to protect you and your passengers. However, in certain models, the airbag inflator could malfunction and explode due to prolonged exposure to humidity and heat, posing a critical safety risk.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments flying towards you or your passengers, potentially causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your Nissan or Infiniti dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new, safer one at no cost to you. You'll get a notification and should schedule the repair as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #15V287000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS

Manufacturer
Nissan North America, Inc.
What Happened
The passenger air bag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in the event of a crash to protect you from injury. However, in some models, the air bag's internal pressure could build up too quickly, causing the inflator to burst.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, metal fragments from the burst inflator could fly towards you or your passengers, potentially causing serious injury or even death in a crash.
Free Fix
Your Nissan dealer will replace the faulty air bag inflator with a new one, completely free of charge. You'll receive a notification letter with instructions on how to schedule the repair, and you should follow the instructions to ensure your safety.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #09E025000 Plain English
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Manufacturer
DOPE, INC.
What Happened
The combination corner and bumper lamp assembly is the part that helps illuminate the road and other vehicles around you. In some aftermarket headlamp assemblies, the required amber side reflectors are missing.
Risk if Unfixed
If your vehicle is equipped with one of these non-compliant headlamps, it could be harder to see and be seen by other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your supplier will give you a full refund for the non-compliant headlamp assembly. You should contact Dope, Inc. at 1-626-272-1798 to initiate the refund process.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #09E012000 Plain English
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Manufacturer
SABERSPORT
What Happened
The combination corner and bumper lamp assembly on your vehicle is the part that helps make you visible to other drivers when you're changing lanes or turning. Some aftermarket versions sold for your car don't have the required reflective strips on the side.
Risk if Unfixed
Because these lamps don't have the side reflectors, other drivers might not see your vehicle when it's changing lanes or turning, which could lead to a collision.
Free Fix
Sabersport will give you a full refund for the non-compliant lamps. You should contact them at 1-909-598-7589 to arrange for the refund.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Original — Remedy
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #06E049000 Plain English
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Manufacturer
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.
What Happened
Your vehicle's replacement headlight assembly is missing a safety feature: amber reflectors. These reflectors help make your vehicle visible to other drivers from the side.
Risk if Unfixed
Without amber reflectors, your vehicle's side and corner lights won't be visible from the side, making it harder for other drivers to see you at night — and you could get into an accident without warning.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the non-compliant headlight assembly with a safe one that includes the required amber reflectors at no cost to you. This replacement is free, so schedule it as soon as you can.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #06E026000 Plain English
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Manufacturer
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
What Happened
The amber reflectors are small pieces on your turn signals and headlights that help make your vehicle more visible to others on the road. Some replacement lamps sold for your vehicle don't have these reflectors, which could make your vehicle harder to see.
Risk if Unfixed
Without the amber reflectors, your vehicle could be poorly illuminated, especially to other drivers at night. This could lead to a crash without warning, which could cause serious damage or injury.
Free Fix
Your dealer will work with Pro-A Motors to repurchase the affected lamps. You should contact Pro-A Motors at 323-838-2988 to arrange for a refund.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 recalls
AIR BAGS
2 recalls
STEERING
1 recall

Other NISSAN Pathfinder Years

2013
11 recalls
2012
2 recalls
2011
2 recalls
2010
5 recalls
2009
4 recalls
2008
5 recalls
2007
2 recalls
2006
5 recalls
2005
4 recalls
2004
7 recalls
2002
9 recalls
2001
7 recalls
2000
6 recalls

Related Pages

2003 Toyota Camry Recalls 2003 Honda Accord Recalls 2002 NISSAN Pathfinder Recalls 2004 NISSAN Pathfinder Recalls All NISSAN Recalls NISSAN Pathfinder Recall History