Faults:
Alternator, 50,000 miles.
Exhaust Manifold, same one (passenger side) cracked twice.
Front brakes, 80,000 miles.
Exhaust system succumbed to rust, 98,000 miles.
Dealers are all different, I know, but one in central TX was a real snake, charging my girlfriend about $1000 and change to replace an alternator he claimed wasn't under warranty. They did replace the exhaust manifold under warranty at that time. She never tried to fight it, but just so you know, as I told her when I got back to town, the alternator takes a half hour to install and costs $150 at any auto parts store.
Throttle body (like all cars) is prone to forming a ridge of carbon around the throttle plate, causing a sticky accelerator pedal. Dealer claimed it was "rusted out" and quoted my girlfriend something like 600 to replace it. Ten minutes, a can of carb cleaner, and a strip of old t-shirt was all it needed and the problem didn't recur.
Rear axle pinion seal is starting to leak, but not bad enough to replace yet.
Besides fluid changes, those are all the problems it's ever had.
General Comments:
Engine is smooth, not quiet, but not unpleasant either. Transmission sometimes kicks down more than necessary, but it shifts crisply and consistently during acceleration. Ride is a little bouncy in town, but smooth on highway; handling surprisingly good for having a relatively high center of gravity, with not a lot of lean in turns and good, precise lane changes. No squeaks or rattles to speak of, even at 100,000 miles. Seats and dash layout are excellent.
Generally seems to be a very well designed vehicle with good safety features. Visibility out the back is the one big negative -- the pillars are huge and the side mirrors and rear windows just aren't big enough to help you see around them.
Gas mileage is poor, though. About 15 in town, 20 in nothing but interstate driving. This is a 2wd! It's an excellent vehicle, but I regret not seeking out something with better mileage.
28th May 2009, 04:28
Wow! Almost exact problems with my '97 4x4 Pathfinder, but at different miles.
- Problem finding squeak @ 200,000. Changed power steering pump, alternator, and belt pulley. Ended up being crankshaft balancer.
- Exhaust Manifolds leaks until it warms up, not too annoying
- On my fourth muffler.
- Annually needs throttle body cleaned.
- Rear axle pinion leaks, replacing second time around.
But for these cheaper costs rather than a new vehicle it has been an awesome vehicle, that runs great, since all of the updated repairs for a vehicle with over 260,000 miles.