2003 Nissan Pathfinder Service and Repair Manual
This factory service and repair manual for the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder is built around this exact model year, its 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE), and trim lineup, giving you the torque values, wiring diagrams, and repair sequences Nissan actually published for this vehicle rather than a generic SUV-era approximation.
Engines covered
- 3.5L V6 — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sport utility
Trims covered
- LE
- SE
Known issues on the 2003 Pathfinder. Seven recalls are on federal record for this model year. Two concern the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator, where propellant degradation or excess internal pressure can cause the inflator to rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin during deployment. A third covers the steering column, where the upper strut housing can crack and let road salt and moisture reach the assembly, leading to grinding noises, increased steering effort, and in the worst case a broken column and loss of steering control. The remaining four cover aftermarket corner and bumper lamp assemblies that lack the required amber side reflectors, reducing visibility and increasing crash risk. Owners have filed 110 complaints for the year, and no technical service bulletins are logged for it. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems are here.
From a steering column inspection to diagnosing an air bag inflator concern or a routine service interval, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2003 Pathfinder.
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 an
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 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 fro
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 inj
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. N
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, MINNESOT
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
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. O
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 S
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
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 CON
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
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 S
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
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 VE
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement Certification Label or VIN Plate/Label may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehi
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement Certification Label or VIN Plate/Label may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehi
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement Certification Label or VIN Plate/Label may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehi
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 8 most recent of 62 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 30 MPH IN THE LEFT TURN LANE I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE THAT FELT LIKE THE GEARS STUCK. THE CAR THEN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, REVVED UP,SPEED FORWARD WI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A BARRIER ON THE FREEWAY AND THE AIR BAGS FAI
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD ON WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEAT BELT BRUISES, AND HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK
WE BOUGHT A 2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN APR 2003. THE PATHFINDER'S BRAKE SYSTEM HAS BEEN SOFT. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT DIDN'T ENGAGE UNTIL IT WENT ABOUT HALF WAY TO THE FLOOR. WE HEARD THE NO
BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. AIRBAG OBSTRUCTED DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD, STARTLED THE DRIVER AND CAUSED LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY C
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT 35MPH HITTING THE REAR OF A STOPPED CAR DUE TO TRAFFIC ON THE SR125 FREEWAY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. THE FRONT END CRUMPLED BUT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG FAILED
2003 PATHFINDER'S TIRE BELTS BEGAN TO BREAK. *TS WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE TIRE BELTS ON ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES BEGAN TO BREAK. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 449870 MILES. THE TIRE FA
Unknown . The steering column broke
Showing the 8 most serious of 110 complaints filed with NHTSA.
