1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
105,350 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments

problem #20

Jan 302017

Pathfinder

  • 229,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the contact observed an loud abnormal sound from the driver side and the steering wheel failed. In addition, the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 229,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #19

Jan 012000

Pathfinder

  • 150,000 miles
The vehicle lost struts, steering rack, and has serious issues that have not been resolved. I spoke with the dealer and they said they don't need to fix. The entire front end is falling apart.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #18

Jul 152015

Pathfinder

  • 99,000 miles
Driving truck got so bad it was hard to keep in road..would go side to side on highway and turns were not easy to say in lane.took to clarktire co..they replaced lots of parts and said mounts for shocks and struts were pretty badly rusted causing excessive movement of those.

- Granite Falls, NC, USA

problem #17

Jul 162014

Pathfinder

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle independently swayed from left to right independently. The contact reduced speed and was able to gain control of the vehicle. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- South Plainfield , NJ, USA

problem #16

Aug 022014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 227,345 miles
Steering shaft was broken in 2011 ( replaced with used part ) steering shaft was broken in 2013 ( replaced with new Nissan original part) steering shaft was broken 10 2014 (replaced with new Nissan original part) corroded strut tower. Steering shaft resting on the corroded strut tower/ steering tower breaking while driving. In one of the incidents, it broke on a major street in the District of Columbia ( 11th and Pennsylvania ave ) cost of towing was $150.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #15

Apr 222011

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
When I drive at highway speeds the truck will start to rock and fishtail at random and erratic times causing a potentially dangerous accident. I have read thousands of other peoples experience with this same incident and feel Nissan should correct there engineering failure.

- Valley Glen, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 012011

Pathfinder

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At around 120000 miles the vehicle began to sway uncontrollably. Mechanics could find nothing wrong. Only way to stop the sway is to tap the brakes or accelerate. Happens quite often and is downright scary at times. Also the entire underbody / frame is extremely corroded. Vehicle should not corrode that quickly. All underbody parts are extremely rusted.

- Hebron, KY, USA

problem #13

Aug 122012

Pathfinder

  • 127,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle began to shake violently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 127,000 and the current mileage was 157,000.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #12

Aug 222012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
At random... this Pathfinder will go into a crazy death wobble, to the point to were it wants to put your head and the heads of your children threw the windows. I have replaced the shocks in the car. But yet the problem remains. My car is at the Nissan dealership right now racking up a bill that I can not afford, for something they will most likely not be able to fix. I have read a hundred complaints on line that describe the same problem to a T. god help us!

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #11

Apr 202012

Pathfinder

  • 166,600 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The vehicle was included and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V244000 (steering:column). While driving approximately 35 mph, the driver of the vehicle noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated the failure was not due to the recall and did not inform the contact of the repairs needed. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated that the strut housing was corroded and the recall repair had failed. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 166,600.

- East Providence, RI, USA

problem #10

Jan 152002

Pathfinder

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Please note that Nissan dealership only patched up the strut tower. The vehicle continues to display problems with steering. I am afraid to continue driving this vehicle. I am very disappointed with the repair services that were completed at the Nissan dealership in turnerville N.J.

- Lindenwold, NJ, USA

problem #9

Nov 112010

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 136,000 miles
I moved to charleston SC in June of 2007 from richmond va. I began to hear a clicking sound whenever I would turn a corner or turn steering wheel to park or leave driveway about a year ago. Everytime I took vehicle in for oil change or maintenance, I would tell mechanic. It wasn't until may of 2011 someone actually checked front tires and axles and strut mounts. This is when I was informed of damage. I still have spent hundreds trying to repair numerous other problems because noone knew exactly what was wrong. I've had to pay for three front end alignments in two weeks because of this problem. Now I did not receive a recall letter until about 2 or 3 weeks ago and it does not list richmond va as one of the states, however, every year I lived in va we had lots of snow and salt was put down with sand. We also had flood gaston in August of 2005 so there were numerous state that experienced regular salt use in the winter.I would appreciate Nissan scheduling an appointment for inspection. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hanahan, SC, USA

problem #8

Nov 062011

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • miles
I received a recall for my 1997 Nissan Pathfinder strut tower housing assembly. On the recall Nissan stated that the vehicles registered in certain states that uses road salt can develop corrosion that can lead to steering damages. However, the recall letter that was sent to me was stating that my vehicle was never in that states and also stated that my vehicle will not be covered for the applicable repairs. When I was in active military I was stationed to great lakes il. From September 2006 to June 2010. I was residing at[xxx]. my il states driver's license number was [xxx] and was issued [xxx]. I'm writing this complaint to make sure that all applicable inspections and repairs for my vehicle will be covered by the manufacturer. Thank you for your time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 192011

Pathfinder 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
I had to pay to repair the strut housing sheet metal, that was grinding against the steering arm, on the left side of the vehicle. The cost of the repair was approximately--and I am waiting to get the receipt, as it was paid by credit card---$1340. Was the name of the repair shop, . the repair was done before the recall campaign began. I am very disappointed and frustrated by Nissan's lack of response, since I was informed of the recall. They state, in the document, that was sent to me, that I am eligible for reimbursement of related expense of repair. I have been trying to get a hold of Nissan at 1-800-647-7261, and have not heard back from them, after numerous messages and voice-mails. Nissan has not gotten back to me, after repeated attempts to reach them. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Antonito, CO, USA

problem #6

Oct 012007

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 55 miles
(noticed problem end of 2007/ beginning 2008 and again in 2011) I have low mileage on Pathfinder and it is only driven on the freeway and in town. First noticed when driving speeds over 50 and during shifting on highway. Very sloppy steering control, Pathfinders rear swaying, skipping and jerking sometimes violently from side to side. Very dangerous driving conditions;very good chance of flipping over.took to different auto mechanics and most could not figure out issue. It turned out that the problem was all defective - failed, broken, cracked, or /and worn bushings links both front and rear. I recently completely replaced the bushings and components and after 6500 miles they are broken/defective and the Pathfinder is unsafe to drive again. I researched the bushing issues with the 1996 -2001 Nissan Pathfinder and most all Pathfinders of this years are having this serious suspension-defective bushing issues. Their have been many unanswered consumer complaints. This should have been and is a definite recall issue. Protect the consumer. Report this. Please ck into this asap.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 312011

Pathfinder

  • 108,000 miles
Left front strut tower, and frame rusted away causing strut to hit steering shaft. Brake master cylinder hitting hood. Vehicle unsafe to drive.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #4

May 172010

Pathfinder

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle would abnormally sway back and forth when driving at least 55 mph. When the contact would remove her foot from the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would feel as if it were hydroplaning. Also, when driving around a curve, the vehicle would drive in the opposite direction in which the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for the failure where the sway bar and ball joints were replaced to no avail. The contact stated that the failure progressed and the vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Goochland , VA, USA

problem #3

Aug 152010

Pathfinder

  • 194,000 miles
I noticed that the steering in my 1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE was pulling to the left and I had experienced some resistance while turning the steering wheel, so I began to inspect the engine compartment and wheel wells. I found that the driver-side shock tower has almost completely separated from the rest of the body of the vehicle. The way it has bent away has caused it to put direct pressure on both the steering column and the master cylinder. If the tower was to fail completely, I'm reasonably certain that it would shear off the master cylinder (leaving me without brakes!) and possibly sever the steering column.

- Branchburg, NJ, USA

problem #2

Mar 162001

Pathfinder

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Claim number 05-4603-579 - while driving, consumer attempted to make a lfet turn when vehicle's steering locked up causing vehicle to lose control and hit a fence.

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 051998

Pathfinder

  • miles
Since purchasing this vehicle, I've had complained about the alignment (taken to deal and numerous other places) it has been aligned, tires rotated, balanced, etc. 7 (times) and I was told nothing was wrong hmmmm. Had to have all four tires replaced at 30,740 miles. Nissan denies its a defect on their car. I've repeatedly complained about a clunking noise in the rear (or brakes) again "no problems found--cant duplicate problem". well, now I'm told my transmission needs to be replaced. The front end "steering" if very sensitive and when making a sudden movement, the car overcompensates tossing you throughout the cab. Cd and radio as well as antenna motor have recently been replaced. This car is a lemon and dangerous!!!!!! I want my money back!!!!!!!

- Bonita Springs, FL, USA

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