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.
(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.
I was experiencing swaying in my rear end at highway speeds. I had a mechanic install new link bushings and link rods, both upper and lower. Due to rust the securing bolts and bushings had to be torched out. This is very strange and must be due to inferior parts since I live in New Mexico, a very dry climate where we do not typically experience rusting on vehicles of this age. This vehicle was originally purchased in nm and I purchased it at 40 some thousand miles and do not believe this vehicle ever spent time in a damp climate. The above repair took care of the problem but now I have 139,000 miles on the vehicle and am having the same problem only worse.
My front drivers side strut tower housing was completely corroded and damaged and had to be replaced. I received a recall notice in the mail and realized this was what was behind the issue.
Hit a pothole and then started hearing a noise from the front driver side of the vehicle. I then noticed that my odometer was no longer working. Upon inspecting the vehicle I found that the driver's side front strut tower had a large rusted out area and that the spot welds of the panels were separating. This problem seems to be the same as those listed in NHTSA action number: PE11004
- Medford, MA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Vehicle is a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder wobbles side to side at high speeds, very bumpy suspension otherwise. Replaced shocks and struts, as well as all tires, but problem remains. Nissan has posted a service bulletin about a similar problem.
I have a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. I experience very "heavy" side to side swaying of the vehicle at speeds greater than 55 mph. I have looked on the internet at other blogs and noticed that many other owners experienced the same condition. Nissan is aware of the problem and has issued a tsb, (ntb98-001 )but has not issued a recall, no doubt due to the cost of the repair, which was just quoted to me by the local dealership at $1,400 (and two days in the shop). The problem, according to Nissan and other consumers online, is the control arm bushing (front and rear) and other connecting parts. This is a very unsafe design error and should be recalled at the expense of Nissan, not the consumer.
The contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 40 mph or greater, the rear of the vehicle sways left to right. The dealer stated that the rear struts and tires needed to be replaced. The dealer made the replacement, however, the failure persisted. The dealer inspected the vehicle, but was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer and they stated that the rear upper and lower control arm needed to be replaced along with a wheel alignment and front brakes. As of July 19, 2007, the vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage is 89,500 and failure mileage was 89,000. Updated 02/01/08.
I own a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving on the highway the suspension failed by swaying back and forth. It felt as though the car will roll over. Death, personal injury, and property damage was clearly foreseeable. In order to stop the sway, I needed to decelerate. However, as I continued to drive the suspension failed and the vehicle swayed. Due to the continuous nature of this failure I had included the number 999 below in the number of failure fields to denote that he failure was continuous. January 1, 2005 as the incident date to indicated that this was an ongoing failure of the suspension.
: the contact stated while driving at speeds of 60mph or more, the vehicle violently shakes as if there may be a loss of control. The vehicle was seen by an independent repair shop for the suspension, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle is scheduled for inspection at an authorized dealership.
First noticed problem while driving on the highway when the car suddenly started to rock from side to side. This problem seemed to get worse and was noticed even at lower speeds. Replaced front and rear suspension components and problem still exists.
While driving 35 mph, another vehicle suddenly stopped in front of the consumer's vehicle which caused the consumer to veer off the road and hit a curb. The vehicle's axle broke and was towed to the dealership for analysis. The brake system resulted in a complete lost of control of the vehicle. The vehicle pulled to the right, the accelerator pedal would stick, there was a rattling/buzzing sound upon acceleration, the brakes slipped, and the accelerator did not respond at times. Prior to the incident the struts leaked and the left front stabilizer bar was replaced.
Suspension causing vehicle to sway violently when going 50mph.. consumer states the tires wore out at 20,000 miles, the shocks and struts were replaced at 42,000 miles, consumer was informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle after complaining about the vehicle swaying, however the vehicle was taken to another shop and the trailing arms were replaced which then corrected the problem, also the power steering fluid was leaking, the muffler was replaced due to rust and the exhaust manifold was cracked due to stress, the front differential pinion seal was leaking, the center cap that goes on the stock wheels on the front seat was installed.
At speeds above 45 mph vehicle for no reason suddenly begins to rock rapidly from side to side. First encountered when driving vehicle back to Maine. When arrived in Maine had front struts and rear shocks replaced. Problem continues. At highway speed if you even slighly release the accelerator pedal to slow down or coast, vehicle immediately begins to rapidly rock side to side. Called Nissan, they noted no one has reported incident. Have since downloaded service bulliten # ntb98001, date 9804, NHTSA item # SB600088- component suspension. Staes in part "... may exhibit excessive play in front/rear suspension." Please advise what service bulliten refers to. What rights does service bulliten provide to the consumer" how do I obtain correction from manufacturer? what became of issue following the service bulletin. Has NHTSA received similar complaints"
Just notice this problem at about 66,000miles vehicles wobbles side to side at acelleration 55-70mph and continues if you hit a dip, bump in the road don't know what is causing this problem need help many people have complained but Nissan doesn't either.
Consumer took the vehicle in for a front end alignment when mechanic with national and battery discovered that front strut was blown, and that was causing misalignment. Both front struts had to be replaced at the same time. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
When driving at approximately 25-70 mph vehicle swayed back and forth which could cause loss of vehicle control. Consumer has replaced tires/ struts/ shocks, and did wheel alignment, but defect kept occurring.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Escondido, CA, USA