Faults:

Exhaust manifold leak. Apparently this was a factory defect that caused the exhaust manifold to warp and make them leak. However the factory never officially recalled this problem due to the duration between the sale of the car and the beginning of the problems. I guess enough time elapsed for them not to be responsible. Result; the engine noise is much louder than it should be... kinda embarrassing.

General Comments:

The car is seriously underpowered. It's very taxing on the driver just to try to keep up with traffic. I use the car to tow my dirt bike trailer and camping supplies when I go camping. It really labors on the engine just to pull the weight. Also the transmission tries to compensate for the lack of power by downshifting into 3rd gear while pulling up any kind of a hill. This has caused my transmission to have a slight vibration, sometimes when I'm stopped at a light, and always when I'm in 3rd gear (towing or not).

The car is a true performer off-road. It climbs hills with the greatest of ease. However you must keep it slow over the bumpy stuff. It doesn't like to bounce around. I cannot say enough about it's outstanding off-road abilities.

The interior materials, such as in the rear cargo compartment and the headliner are not as durable as they should be. Although they have not cracked or broken, they scratch very easily. This really ages the interior very quickly. Be vary careful how you load your cargo in here.

Fuel economy, none here to speak of. I have been as low as 11 miles per gallon and as high as 14 miles per gallon. I would not mind spending the money if there was enough power to warranty it. It seems as if Nissan would have put a larger motor in the car with more horse power, even with the motor being larger, gas mileage would have improved by just being more capable of pulling the car around.

Extremely reliable. I have yet to have any form of a problem that would have left me stuck anywhere. Just get out there, turn the key, and drive away! This car tops the list in this respect. Great car!

This car really shows no bad habits on the road. It has a very sturdy feel and feels very controlled. I would have liked less road noise, but it's not loud enough to complain about. There is a little bit of play in the steering.

Faults:

Exhaust manifold had to be replaced. some brake work, but really it has all been standard up keep.

General Comments:

The most reliable car I have owned, and I have had about sixteen cars. I just had it tunned up and she still runs strong. I will drive it until she can go on no more. This pathfinder has been everywhere mud, mountains, trials and the Houston highways. Not once has the vehicle let me down. Nothing has been rebuilt. Buy one.