Also after having the previously mentioned problem fixed, 1 week later I noticed the following: My 2000 Nissan Pathfinder seemed excessively bumpy and the steering seemed very stiff at times after hitting a pothole. I took it into my mechanic and was told that the frame has rusted through where the wheel well is attached to a strut mount. The strut is loose (causing the bumpy ride) and the strut is pressing against the steering system causing the steering to be stiff. I was told that if I continued to drive it and went over a bump, the strut could plunge through the hood. I feel that this is a safety issue that could cause a serious or fatal accident if I were to hit a pothole at on a highway at a high rate of speed. After investigating the incident further, I have come to find out that this is a structural defect issue with Pathfinders and the and the cause was that the frame rusted through.

- Hoboken, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormal squeaking. The contact discovered that the driver side strut tower weld was fractured and causing the contact to loose steering abilities. In addition, there was also an abnormal rubbing noise heard when turning the steering wheel. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. The current and failure mileage was approximately 135,000. Updated 04/15/11 updated 09/16/11

- Roslyn, NY, USA

I own a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder le, with 149,000 miles, which is now out of warranty. Tues 7/27/10, while pulling out of a parking space, I lost steering control. Find steering column is snapped. Tow to mechanic, who discovers the shock tower, which is part of the frame (uni-body design), has sheared away from the rest of the wheel-well. The shock tower has pushed up into the steering column, causing it to break. Mechanic gave estimate of $640 for steering, and at least $1700 for the wheel-well, which is a body shop repair. Also suggested to call Nissan to see if there a recall on wheel-wells as this is a safety issue, and is not the first time he has heard of this problem. This is not normal wear and tear, it is a design flaw. Control arms just below tearing in frame, if tearing continued, wheel could also become dislodged, in addition to loss of steering. Nissan was called, and wants vehicle towed to dealership for verification at my expense, and in addition pay for diagnostic service. Apparently, I am at their mercy, however how can they give me an unbiased diagnostic, as I am sure the results will be in their favor. I am now at a standstill as the repairs will apparently outweigh the value of the vehicle, which is $4125 trade-in value. However, if this happened on one side, it is reasonable to believe that will occur on the other, doubling cost of repairs.

- Stony Point, NY, USA

I have had 2001 Nissan Pathfinder for 18months. My 18 yr old daughter complained of a problem with front drivers side wheel feeling very funny and ABS light on. I took car to service stating and was told chassis was completely rotted away leaving shock to go up into motor and pulling away the ABS cord. Nothing was on the bottom of car. You could see clearly into the motor from the wheel well. I immediately called Nissan Consumer Affairs as truck only has 62,000 miles and chassis should not have rotted off making it dangerous to drive. Service station said do not drive unless a chassis can be welded. Brought truck to siny Nissan srv. Center as directed by Nissan Consumer Affairs and Nissan themselves said do not drive this vehicle for safety. Ie wheel could lock up as frame pulled away and pulled ABS and shock was going up toward motor as frame rotted away and nothing to hold shock. I reported findings to Nissan customer srv and they needed some time to research. I emailed Nissan pictures of the frame that no longer was there and they were in touch with Nissan in siny to see what the finding were. I had the car welded as Nissan does not do welding and sent the bill along with the pictures to nadia claims specialist file no 6834802. I was told that since vehicle was past warranty they were no longer responsible for repair. My daughter could have been killed on a highway as there was no frame to a vehicle with 62,000 miles on it. I was told by Nissan themselves not to drive as it was dangerous. Who would purchase a vehicle with 52000 miles for 6800 and after 10,000 pose a risk to theirselves or family members if they knew this could happen. Not only are they responsible for the repairs but I no longer want this vehicle. I should have been reimbursed as this was a manufacturers defect and the ABS and shock repaired (which was not. Nissan and their group feels this is not warranted. I feel they are very responsible as does their own specialists in siny.

- Newyork, NY, USA