Sell your 1996 Nissan Pathfinder for cash

The 1996 Nissan Pathfinder is a vehicle that came with a 3.3L 6-cyl engine. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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1996 Nissan Pathfinder at a glance

Body styleSpecial Purpose Vehicles
Engines3.3L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveRear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy14–15 city / 17–19 highway / 15–16 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$4,200–$4,450 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂555–592 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: Pathfinder 2WD, Pathfinder 4WD
Age30 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 30 years old, most of a 1996 Pathfinder's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a vehicle, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1996 Pathfinder. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the suspension, typically around 130,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1996 Nissan Pathfinder recalls

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SuspensionApr 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V244000

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, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…

Risk: 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 loss of steering control, which could res

Service Brakes, HydraulicFeb 1996 · NHTSA campaign 96V031000

Due to the thickness of the carpet padding on the transmission tunnel, the space between the brake pedal and the transmission tunnel could catch a driver's right foot under the brake pedal.

Risk: This condition could inhibit a driver from applying the brakes, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.

SteeringFeb 1996 · NHTSA campaign 96V034000

Due to the type of lubricant used in the steering transfer gear assembly, the effort required to turn the steering wheel at low ambient temperatures (less than -30 c) could increase to the point where some drivers would have difficulty in turning the wheel.

Risk: This condition could result in the inability to change the direction of the vehicle while attempting to turn the wheel, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.

Common 1996 Pathfinder problems

Owners have filed 159 complaints about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA. 20 reports involved a crash. Owners reported 32 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Suspension30
  • Suspension22
  • Steering13
  • Air Bags8
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling6

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Suspension130,000 mi
  • Suspension119,000 mi
  • Steering138,000 mi

1996 Nissan Pathfinder service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 87 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Unknown or Other10
  • Suspension8
  • Structure7
  • Electrical System6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling4
  • Power Train3

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2023 · NTB08-097L

    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 version

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2023 · NTB23-049

    12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connectio

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2023 · NTB23-053

    SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior elect

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2023 · NTB13-107F

    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 o

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder.

SteeringPE11004 · opened Jan 2011, closed Jun 2011Led to recall 11V244000

Frame/Body Structure Corrosion

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the r

Other Nissan Pathfinder years

‹ Sell a 1995 Pathfinder · Sell a 1997 Pathfinder › · All Nissan Pathfinder years

Other 1996 Nissan models

Selling a 1996 Pathfinder: questions

How much is a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1996 Pathfinder that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1996 Pathfinders that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1996 Pathfinder with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1996 Pathfinder?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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