Sell your 1997 Nissan Pathfinder for cash

The 1997 Nissan Pathfinder is a vehicle that came with a 3.3L 6-cyl engine. At 29 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.

  • Free offer for your 1997 Pathfinder in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 1997 Pathfinder

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

1997 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 / 17–18 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
Age29 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 29 years old, most of a 1997 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 2 recalls for the 1997 Pathfinder. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the suspension, typically around 128,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1997 Nissan Pathfinder recalls

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 1997 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

Fuel System, GasolineSep 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V435000

On certain vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, tennessee, vermont, virginia, west virginia , wisconsin and the district…

Risk: This may result in surface rust but not perforation of the tube. However, in those areas of the country which use heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, if a mixture of snow/water and salt makes contact with the bare metal, corros

Common 1997 Pathfinder problems

Owners have filed 217 complaints about the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA. 18 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 17 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

  • Suspension42
  • Suspension28
  • Suspension28
  • Steering20
  • Tires14
  • Vehicle Speed Control10

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Suspension128,000 mi
  • Suspension150,000 mi
  • Suspension97,000 mi
  • Steering130,000 mi
  • Tires180,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control90,000 mi

1997 Nissan Pathfinder service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 94 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Unknown or Other11
  • Structure8
  • Suspension8
  • Electrical System6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling4
  • Fuel System4

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 1997 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 1996 Pathfinder · Sell a 1998 Pathfinder › · All Nissan Pathfinder years

Other 1997 Nissan models

Selling a 1997 Pathfinder: questions

How much is a 1997 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 1997 Pathfinder that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1997 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 1997 Pathfinder with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 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 1997 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.

Get cash for your 1997 Pathfinder today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer
Get my offer