Nissan Pathfinder R50 (1996–2004)

Nissan Pathfinder R50 (1996–2004) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Nissan Pathfinder — body generations

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Pathfinder

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

About this generation

The second generation Pathfinder was introduced in late 1995 with revised styling. The engine was upgraded to the VG33E, with and torque. For the 1999 model year, the Pathfinder was freshened. In the year 2000 for the 2001 model year brought a new V6 engine (for the automatic transmission models). The manual transmission models boasted and 240-lbft of torque. This engine was the VQ35DE. The 4-cylinder engine option was no longer available, and diesel engines continued to be used in Japanese and European models.

As of the 2002 model year, the Terrano / Pathfinder was no longer marketed in Japan, and was available in North America, Europe and the Middle East. The market position held by the Terrano in Japan was replaced by the Nissan Murano in 2002. The Japanese market Terrano and luxurious Terrano Regulus saw demand drop significantly due to the hard economic times felt in Japan, known as the Lost Decade. Nissan offered a smaller, off-road vehicle to its Japanese customer base who enjoyed the Pathfinder when it introduced the Nissan X-Trail in 2000.

The Pathfinder received a facelift in 1998 for the 1999.5 model year with a revised front fascia, rear fascia, and interior — followed by another facelift occurred in 2001 for the 2002 model year, receiving the updated Nissan logo, a revised grille, as well as a new steering wheel, different rims and radio display. In 2002 for the 2003 model year, the Pathfinder again received a new steering wheel. The Infiniti QX4 is a mid-size luxury SUV introduced in September 1996 and based on the Nissan Pathfinder.

It was released following Acura's introduction of the SLX and Lexus's larger LX 450. The QX4 was Infiniti's first entry into the SUV market segment. It was available in Japan as the Nissan Terrano Regulus and exclusive at Nissan's JDM Nissan Store. Major differences between these vehicles and the regular Pathfinder/Terrano include a more upscale interior and unique styling. Marketed as a luxury vehicle, The Terrano Regulus offered off-road capability with a low-range four-wheel-drive system and of ground clearance.

In Japan, two four-cylinder diesel engines were also available. The US-market engine was the same 3.3-litre V6 unit as used in the Pathfinder, producing at 4,800 rpm and at 4,800 rpm. This was generally considered underpowered for the segment, with a 0– time of 12.4 seconds in period testing. In 1999, the Terrano was exclusive to reorganized Nissan JDM Nissan Blue Stage dealerships. The Terrano Regulus was updated in February 1999.

The interior design was revised, while the old QD32ETi overhead valve turbodiesel was replaced with the new DOHC, 16-valve ZD30DDTi unit. The VG33E engine continued unchanged, but with the added option of two-wheel-drive. The QX4 received its first major update in March 2000, as an early 2001 model. The biggest change was the new VQ series V6 engine (also later seen in the G35 and FX35), increasing its power from a relatively low .

The displacement went from 3.3 L to 3.5 L. The timing belt was replaced with a timing chain and the ignition distributor was replaced with an individual coil ignition system. The revised version was introduced at the same price as the earlier model, in spite of the extra power and other improvements. This facelift also gave the QX4 an updated exterior and interior body style, including a new grille and bumpers, reworked Xenon HID headlamps and redesigned taillights, a new dash with integrated analog clock, and alloy wheels.

Also, a rear-wheel drive QX4 model was added (1997 through 2000 were only available in 4WD). The Terrano Regulus continued to use the VG33E engine (and the 3-litre turbodiesel inline-four), although the short-lived V6 2WD option was discontinued again in September 2001, along with some minor changes. 2002 Infiniti QX: Cruise control designed to maintain a set distance from other traffic was the main addition for 2002.

Source: Wikipedia — Nissan Pathfinder — Second generation (R50; 1995), CC BY-SA.

For sale right now

• 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE — $3,995 · 145,000 mi · Saylorsburg, PA