- What you'll get from Nissan Pathfinder VIN check?
- Nissan Pathfinder Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Pathfinder VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Pathfinder
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan Pathfinder VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Nissan Pathfinder VIN.
- 10th Character in the Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Nissan Pathfinder Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Pathfinder
- How to find a Nissan Pathfinder's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Pathfinder
What you’ll get from Nissan Pathfinder VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2024, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN can provide information about the body class of the vehicle which, in the case of the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, may indicate a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering details about the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Transmission Style: The VIN can indicate the transmission style of the vehicle, possibly being an automatic, influencing the driving experience and performance.
Nissan Pathfinder Vehicle History Risk Factors
Nissan’s reliability record is mixed — the Frontier and older Maxima have strong reputations, while the CVT-heavy lineup of the 2010s has generated one of the highest rates of powertrain complaints in the segment. A Bumper VIN check on a used Nissan should focus on the following:
CVT transmission failures across multiple models (2012–2018 Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Versa). Nissan’s Jatco CVT transmissions in this generation have among the highest owner-reported failure rates of any modern powertrain component. Failures typically manifest as shuddering, overheating, and sudden loss of drive between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Nissan extended the warranty on these transmissions multiple times due to failure rates. A service record showing CVT replacement or fluid service is important context — but a replacement doesn’t guarantee the replacement unit will outlast the original.
Timing chain stretch on 2.5L QR25DE engine (2002–2012 Altima, Sentra, Rogue). Nissan’s QR25DE engine had documented timing chain and tensioner stretch issues that could cause engine damage if the chain jumped. Look for service records referencing timing chain noise or replacement.
Rust on Frontier and older Xterra. Nissan issued a frame rust recall for Frontiers from 2005–2016 in certain states after discovering frames that could rust completely through. Verify recall compliance on any Frontier from this era — this is a structural safety issue, not cosmetic rust.
Flood damage on Rogues and Altimas. Nissan’s compact SUVs and sedans appear frequently in flood damage reports from hurricane-affected regions. Electrical system issues from water intrusion are particularly problematic on the CVT-heavy Nissan lineup.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Nissan Pathfinder VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Nissan Pathfinder VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code that denotes the manufacturer of a vehicle, and in some cases, it may also provide information about the vehicle’s type and country of origin. For the Nissan Pathfinder, the WMI codes 5N1 and JN8 are often found at the beginning of the VIN and give us insight into where the vehicle was made and by which branch of Nissan. The 5N1 prefix generally indicates that the Nissan Pathfinder was manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in the United States, while JN8 signifies production by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan. This part of the VIN is essential in verifying the vehicle’s authenticity and origin, serving as the automotive equivalent to a DNA identifier for the rugged Nissan Pathfinder.
List of WMI Codes for a Nissan Pathfinder
WMI: JN8
- Model Years Covered: 1987-2004, 2024
- Example VIN: JN8HD14Y8HW000810
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Chuo-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
WMI: 5N1
- Model Years Covered: 2005-2020, 2022-2024
- Example VIN: 5N1AR18U05C700593
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Franklin
- State or Province: Tennessee
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Nissan Pathfinder VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Nissan’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system type, engine variant, and series level across its Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Frontier, and Titan lineups. On the Rogue and Altima — Nissan’s two highest-volume models — the VDS distinguishes between CVT-equipped and traditional automatic variants, and between the 2.0L and 2.5L four-cylinder engines offered in different trim levels and model years. This is particularly relevant for used buyers because Nissan’s CVT transmission has a well-documented reliability gap compared to traditional automatics, and confirming which transmission a specific VIN has can significantly affect the risk profile of a used purchase.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Nissan Pathfinder VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Nissan Pathfinder |
| P | 2023 Nissan Pathfinder |
| N | 2022 Nissan Pathfinder |
| L | 2020 Nissan Pathfinder |
| K | 2019 Nissan Pathfinder |
| J | 2018 Nissan Pathfinder |
| H | 2017 Nissan Pathfinder |
| G | 2016 Nissan Pathfinder |
| F | 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
| E | 2014 Nissan Pathfinder |
| D | 2013 Nissan Pathfinder |
| C | 2012 Nissan Pathfinder |
| B | 2011 Nissan Pathfinder |
| A | 2010 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 9 | 2009 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 8 | 2008 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 7 | 2007 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 6 | 2006 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 5 | 2005 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 4 | 2004 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 3 | 2003 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2 | 2002 Nissan Pathfinder |
| 1 | 2001 Nissan Pathfinder |
| Y | 2000 Nissan Pathfinder |
| X | 1999 Nissan Pathfinder |
| W | 1998 Nissan Pathfinder |
| V | 1997 Nissan Pathfinder |
| T | 1996 Nissan Pathfinder |
| S | 1995 Nissan Pathfinder |
| R | 1994 Nissan Pathfinder |
| P | 1993 Nissan Pathfinder |
| N | 1992 Nissan Pathfinder |
| M | 1991 Nissan Pathfinder |
| L | 1990 Nissan Pathfinder |
| K | 1989 Nissan Pathfinder |
| J | 1988 Nissan Pathfinder |
| H | 1987 Nissan Pathfinder |
11th Character in the Nissan Pathfinder VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Nissan Pathfinder Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Fukuoka | Japan | Nissan Shatai Kyushu Plant | JN8AY2BA0R9415038 | |
| C | Smyrna | Tennessee | United States | Smyrna Plant | 5N1AR18U05C700593 |
| L | Aguascalientes City | Aguascalientes | Mexico | Aguascalientes Plant | 5N1AR18W66L622047 |
| T | Yokosuka | Kanagawa | Japan | Oppama Plant | 5N1AR18U68T627704 |
| W | Miyawaka | Fukuoka | Japan | Kyushu Plant | JN8HD14Y8HW000810 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Nissan Pathfinder
The final 6 characters in a Nissan Pathfinder’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Nissan Pathfinder is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Pathfinder. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Inspect the engine block of your Nissan Pathfinder. The VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
- Review your Nissan Pathfinder’s insurance card/policy or registration documents, as the VIN will be printed there.
- Check beneath the spare tire in the trunk or rear storage area of the Nissan Pathfinder, as some manufacturers place a VIN sticker in that location.
Don’t have your Nissan Pathfinder’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Nissan Pathfinder
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Not Available |
| Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) | Not Available |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 3500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Not Available |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Not Available |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Not Available |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Not Available |
| Model | Pathfinder |
| Model Year | 2020 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 3 |
| Number of Seats | 7 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | 3-Point Manual Belts, 2nd row outboard 3-Point Manual Belts, 2nd row center 3-Point Manual Belts, 3rd row outboard 3-Point Manual Belts |
| Parking Assist | Not Available |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Not Available |
| Plant City | Smyrna |
| Plant Company Name | Nissan North America Inc. |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Tennessee |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Crossover |
| Series2 | Wagon body style |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Trim | Grade Platinum |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 5N1DR2DM*LC |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 114.2 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 20 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 20 |
| Sample VIN | 5N1DR2DM0LC575780 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Nissan Pathfinder for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Nissan Pathfinder?
On most Nissan vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Nissan Pathfinder's history for free?
Enter the Nissan Pathfinder’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Nissan Pathfinder VIN numbers start with?
Nissan Pathfinder VIN's start with JN8 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. in Japan, 5N1 for vehicles manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Nissan Pathfinder.
Decode a Nissan VIN
Look up a Nissan Pathfinder by license plate:
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