luderiffic

Seems like alot of negatives that come from owners of pathfinders.

I was thinking about purchasing an 01 w/75k miles however there are some issues.

1. Apparently Gas mileage is terrible, I drive a Tundra now and I might get WORSE gas mileage with a V6?????

2. Are you required to use premium fuel???? WTF??

3. Everybody is on their 3rd radiator and 5th O2 sensors? Are pathfinders really that unreliable???

Any help or advise is appreciated. I love the styling of pathfinders but I don't want a headache either.

Thanks!

 

rodg9220

I drive an 06 Pathfinder LE. I bought her September of 06 brand new and I already have over 10,000 miles on it. Have "ZERO" problems so far except some rattles here and there. You don't have to use premium gas. I love my Pathy.

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06 Pathfinder LE
06 MB E350

golfer

Yes there are issues but they still are far more reliable than the big 3 north american vehicles.
I know a few people with 4Runners and they are not without there issues : starters , transmission , cats , O2 sensors , brakes , ECU programming , etc.

They are true 4x4 vehicles with tranfercase and front and rear diffs. so they will be harder on fuel. One fellow I know with a 06 4Runner gets only gets 16-17 mpg city and 21 - 22 hwy with his V6.

I don't.


I haven't had any issues with the rad. on my 99.5 and only have replaced 2 of the 4 O2 sensors in 7 years ( hopefully I didn't jink myself ).


If you asked me if I would buy another PF ... I would probably say no ... but I wouldn't tell anyone to run from them either.

I tip my hat to you for looking into this forum to get a heads up as to any issues you may be getting. The information is out there to help and only you can decide .. good luck.

amm888

i've got an 01 LE w/90k. had her for about 1/2 a year. mileage seems to be 13-15, but i drive her like a little race car (i sold my 6sp coupe for her).

i've put in premium and regular and haven't noticed a difference. the manufacturer says to use premium though.

o2 sensors do seem to go bad, but EVERY vehicle has it's issues.

the 3.5 is a champ and the tranny seems to be reliable, so if you like it, get it.

i was looking to get either a pathy or a 4runner. from the reviews i read (and i read a ton) the 4runner has better OVERALL (ie you never know what you're gonna get) reliability, but just slightly better on average. while the 4runner engine is a slug compared to the 3.5 and nissan's interior is much better.

gl,
al

luderiffic

Interesting, thanks for the comments thus far....I am definitely deciding between a pathfinder and 4runner. Any others have any input?

Thanks!

 

amm888

then you're in the same exact boat i was in a little while back. i was deciding between a 98-02 4runner, or a 01+ pathfinder. i test drove many of each and simply felt the pathfinder handled and accelerated much better.

reliability reviews do favor 4runners, but just slightly (at least in terms of consumer reviews).

i believe it's hard to argue that any manufacturer can beat Toyota in respect to overall reliability, but to me there's more to owning a vehicle than that alone.

blitZ

I have a 01, which I bought new, now has 70K. I havn't replaced anything except the usual stuff, tires, shocks, etc. I get 17-18 mpg, if I'm easy on the pedal.

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2001 Pathfinder SE - Frankencar Intake, Dynomax Muffler, Transmission Cooler, Air Lifts, Rancho RSX17000
1976 Porsche 914 - My Mid-Engine Crisis
Libertarian Party

J.J.

I drive an 02' 4x4 with 75K. No major problems for me. I had to replace the exhaust and do some emission repair 2/2 to living in a harsh envirionment for three years (Maine).

I use premium fuel because the truck performs slightly better and I get about 33 more miles to the tank, so I feel it is worth it for me to pay for so called better gas. I also use Mobile 1 fully synthetic oil.

I average about 335 miles to a 17.5 gallon tank using premium fuel. I run 70 mph on the highway and I don't drive it very hard in the city.

I love my Pathfinder.

2001pathy_SE

i love my 01. no major problems at all. tons of power and reliable. 77,000 miles and running like a champ.

brian420

For what it's worth, my 1990 XE has been rock-solid reliable. Despite spending her whole life in the Colorado Rockies; she's got her rust and rattles, I still blow by 4-runners on the way up mountain passes loaded with people, bikes and gear. I frequent the local junkyards here for spare parts, and all of the older pathys I've found that died of natural causes have 300+ on the odometer. Don't know about the '01, but the older models seem to last forever.

 

supraholic

01 PF 4x4 LE with 98K miles. I am the original owner. Here are all the things i had to do so far:
1. Replace front rotors
2. Intake valve timing position sensors (1 on each bank, total 2)<-- seems common
3. Tires - all four, once
4. Two rear o2 sensors <-- common for 01 PF
5. Reprogram ECU after O2 sensor replacement for updated software

considering milage, I think these are minimal things to be done on an auto.

dirtdog

Got a 05 Pathfinder LE

WISH I HAD BOUGHT A TOYOTA

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2005 Pathfinder LE

Pezzy

Stock pathys are rated at 16/18MPG. Not great, but it's not a car... if you keep your trucked tuned, and lay off the skinny pedal (rpms under 3000) you'll get your best mileage.

For the newer 3.5L engines, I believe Nissan recommends premium...


Never heard of rad issues...

We have 4 02 sensors... so just like any part they go... but do that 4x, I suppose it seems like a lot... I have changed all 4 of mine in my 99.5.

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Sarcasm is just another service we offer | 99.5 Pathy XE Green

mPATHY

have stock 95xe pathy, got it with 210,000, now at 251, 625. only had timimg belt done, fan clutch, and now tranny flush. not the best mileage in town, better on the hiway. but save a lot in repairs. very pleased with this vehicle. A great off roader as is.

skippy145

had a 02 LE didn't spend a dime on her for 5 years. After i paid her off, my check engine light came on, it needed new tires, brakes, and the o2 and catylitic converter codes came up on the OBII. I got only 18 mpg driving like miss daisy on the highway and about 15/16 in the city.
My 07 le nav is unreal-- better gas mileage, increased safety, better options and finally independent rear suspension--( my insurance acutally went down) drives like a dream and i get 20.5 mpg on the highway at 65MPH-- bad gas mileage in city though at about 15-- and i use the recommended premium-- whats an extra 8 bucks per month?

i test drove the 4 runner the day i bought my pathy it and the pathy beat it hands down, plus they tried to screw me on the trade-- wouldnt even bargain-- the nissan place was done in 5 minutes. AND of course the next week they came out with 0% financing -- so i will just transfer credit card balances around for the next 5 years to get the 0% loan.