2003 Nissan Pathfinder Review

Name: 2003 Nissan Pathfinder Review
Brand: Nissan
Price: 1585 USD
Rating: 4.7 (171 reviews)

Price Estimate: $1,585 - $2,572

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Price & Payment

7 cars

$4,599 avg. price

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Appraise My Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan Pathfinder model years

Nissan Pathfinder for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Powerful V6 engine, carlike interior, solid reliability record, rear entertainment system option, available All-Mode 4WD system on LE models.

Cons

Tight rear accommodations, high price tag, hard-to-fold rear seats.

What’s new

All 2003 Pathfinders will offer optional satellite radio, with a choice of XM or Sirius services. The LE model receives a standard leather-appointed interior, while SE models feature restyled wheels. Both models also feature a new four-spoke steering wheel and electronic rear-hatch window release. For safety, there is a new Vehicle Dynamic Control Package that bundles Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Two items no longer offered are the manual transmission and the optional navigation system. Guess you have to buy a map.

Edmunds says

With plenty of power and luxury, this is one of the better midsize SUVs available.

For sale near Fort Worth, TX

7 listings

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2003 Nissan Pathfinder
LE 4dr SUV
$9,950
- 97,405 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 14 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- Auto Class Direct (40 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Power Driver Seat
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
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Located in Plano, TX
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AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JN8DR09X83W706923
Stock: 706923
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-25-2025
2003 Nissan Pathfinder
SE 4dr SUV
$4,900
- 228,778 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 5 Seats, 14 City / 18 Hwy MPG
- Autoport Denver (640 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Denver, CO
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (14 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JN8DR09Y63W805314
Stock: 2257
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

$274/mo

$159/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Nissan Pathfinder Owner Reviews

4.7

171 reviews

5(73%)

4(22%)

3(3%)

2(1%)

1(1%)

See all 171 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

I love this vehicle! 2003 Pathfinder

Noah P, 11/28/2016

2003 Nissan Pathfinder LE Rwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

I can't say enough good things about my Pathfinder. I purchased this vehicle two years ago and it has been one of the best economy SUVs I have ever driven, and despite the hell I've given her, she has treated me spectacularly. It's certainly not the nicest, nor does it have a lot of bells and whistles, but it has grown on me in a way no way any other vehicle has. I got lucky, and after … totaling my last vehicle, a family friend sold this car to me for practically nothing. It currently has 278,000 miles (yes, two hundred thousand), but boy, did this engine get taken care of. No out of the norm replacements engine-wise and the transmission is insanely smooth. No strange sounds or weird misfires, just the sweet sound of 6-cylinders combusting fuel. I have had one major repair since I bought the vehicle, but at this mileage, I can't complain. (it was the fuel pump, not very expensive) The engine is POWERFUL for the mileage. When I say for the mileage, really, just in general, this car is pleasant to drive. This engine gets up and goes with a 3.5 V6. I absolutely admire the acceleration! I ride to work every day on the interstate going 85mph, and it has no problem getting up to high speeds. It barely fights me to even surpass 100mph, and for an SUV with this mileage, that is wonderful. It handles marvelously, and sometimes I forget that I'm even driving such an old vehicle. Quiet interior, well-kept. I love that the seats in the back fold down for extra cargo space. Slap some blankets down in the back and its great for camping. It's not the roomiest vehicle in the world, but it gets the job done, and has never left me stranded or worried that something may break. I have taken several road trips that attest to its reliability, and it never runs hot even when being driven for 4+ hours. On the same note, I had a venture 1 year ago involving getting it stuck knee deep in water and mud, water in the cabin, and I have had no issues following the incident. (except a cumbersome mildew smell for a few weeks...) In fact, we pulled her out and went right back to mudding afterward. My only complaint would be poor exterior paint quality. The paint is tremendously faded, and it chips very easily. The MPG may also be a deal breaker for some, as I average about 12-13 MPG. However, I have test driven a lot of new vehicles recently, and haven't quite found a rugged SUV with the smoothness and power that this vehicle offers. I test drove a 2016 Toyota 4Runner, and I was honestly disappointed with the lack of power and ride quality that it provided. (dashboard MPG was reading at about 12 MPG on the interstate on top of that) In all honesty, I may keep this vehicle and just restore the paint and add some aftermarket features. Ultimately, I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a used vehicle with an excellent ride. If me assigning my car a gender in any way attests to the fact that this vehicle will grow on you, I have done my job here. Kudos to Nissan for manufacturing such a great vehicle, I sure wish the market would return to the SUV glory days. Pro Tip: fill her up with premium gas and you will see a huge difference.

Solid Vehicle

mrcarp, 04/13/2012

2003 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

Purchased used from a work aquaintance in 2006 with only 17,000 miles. Now has 58,000. So far, so good. Same issues, CD skips when cold, leather around seat adjusters cracked a bit, heat shield rattle, evap leak - check engine light has been on for about 4 years now. For those with same issue, I would try a new gas cap for a potential fix. Also, use Maguire's leather treatment - works …

Great Car, Great Value

catnip63, 03/01/2015

2003 Nissan Pathfinder SE Rwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

I've always been a Nissan Pathfinder fan, till now ( I hate the new body style) I've owned my 2003 for 5 years now. I live in Utah and it's the best 4 wheel drive I've owned. I've had a 1989, 1990, 1997 pathfinders and now the 2003. I have never had it strand me or had any expensive repairs. I do all the recommended maintenances though. The gas mileage would be my only "con" but I …

It's ok

NICOLE, 08/13/2010

2003 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 4A)

I purchased my 03 pathfinder a year after the new body style came out. At the time I didn't need the 3rd row seat but now wish I purchased that instead. shortly after purchasing I brought it back in because I had a heat shield loose and exhaust leak. My service engine light is always on, I have it shut off and after driving anywhere from 60-200 miles it turns back on because an evap …

See all 171 reviews of the Nissan Pathfinder

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2003 Pathfinder Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$26,799
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$274/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	38 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the Pathfinder include:

Alarm

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover2 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Marginal
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

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2003 Nissan Pathfinder Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near Fort Worth, TX

2003 Nissan Pathfinder
LE 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2003 Nissan Pathfinder
SE 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Cost to Drive

Nissan Pathfinder Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

I love this vehicle! 2003 Pathfinder

Solid Vehicle

Great Car, Great Value

It's ok

2003 Pathfinder Highlights

Safety

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2003 Nissan Pathfinder Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near Fort Worth, TX

2003 Nissan PathfinderLE 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2003 Nissan PathfinderSE 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Cost to Drive

Nissan Pathfinder Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

I love this vehicle! 2003 Pathfinder

Solid Vehicle

Great Car, Great Value

It's ok

2003 Pathfinder Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2003 Nissan Pathfinder info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of

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Join Edmunds

2003 Nissan Pathfinder
LE 4dr SUV

2003 Nissan Pathfinder
SE 4dr SUV