10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,980 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.

2002 Nissan Pathfinder suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Oct 102023

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

This relates to Campaign Number 11V244000 We are the original and only owners of the vehicle I originally brought the vehicle in for the recall and they simply sprayed some undercoating in the wheel wells. Less than a month later both strut towers separated from the body of the vehicle while my wife was driving home, she lost steering and could have had a serious or fatal accident. I towed to the dealer and they installed braces in both strut towers. I have always taken exceptional care of my vehicles, which includes multiple washes during winter months and extensive undercarriage washing every spring. This past Oct when I took the vehicle in for mandatory state inspection I was informed that the vehicle would not pass inspection next year. They told me this once before in relation to extensive rust to the passenger side rear frame next to the muffler. I was able to cut out the rust and weld a thicker plate of steel in there to repair the frame. I just changed my oil and looked for what the mechanic was referring too. This time the rust is between the braces they installed for the struts and the front of the wheel well. The mechanic saw the rust coming through the paint and poked at it with a screw driver, the screw driver went right though the body leaving significant holes in the structure that supports the struts. When the weather breaks I will further inspect to determine if there is enough good metal left for me to attempt a repair. I am doubtful a repair will be possible as the metal used to construct this vehicle is very poor quality. Despite my constant care, washing, rust conversion treatments, painting with rust blocking paint and using undercoating, every inch on the underside of the vehicle is rusted. Both rear quarters rotted behind the wheel flares and down into where the rear doors close and contact the rear quarters. Now due to Nissan's decision to use substandard metal I am forced to buy a new vehicle which is currently financially impossible

- Hatboro, PA, USA

problem #33

Dec 202017

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 147,477 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced at a local dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension); however, the mechanic diagnosed that there was no rust in the strut housing assembly. The contact then stated that when he replaced the front struts, excessive rust was seen in the strut housing assembly. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics, who diagnosed that the front axle needed to be replaced and confirmed there was excessive rust in the strut housing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,477.

- Truckee, CA, USA

problem #32

Dec 192019

Pathfinder

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the front passenger's side tire vibrated abnormally. The contact stated that it was difficult to control the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he parked the vehicle on the side of the road for approximately 30 minutes, restarted the vehicle and drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that subframe needed to be welded prior to replacing the lower control arm on the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Smithtown, NY, USA

problem #31

Sep 162019

Pathfinder

  • 165,000 miles

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

I was driving my 2002 Pathfinder to work on Monday of this week when I started to feel a slight shaking in my steering wheel and chatter in my brake pedal while driving at 55mph on the highway. After I got off the highway I could barely make a right turn as the steering wheel was very stiff. I checked my front end and what I found was frightening. The drivers side strut tower had torn from the frame and body and was now pushing against both the steering shaft and master cylinder which was bent up at an angle. My master brake cylinder is now supporting the right front wheel! thank god the strut did not snap the steering shaft or master cylinder while at highway speed. I might be in a hospital bed or dead. I had the car towed to a Nissan dealership who told me that it received a level 1 repair by the previous owner (I am the second owner) in 2011 and nothing could be done except to call corporate. I did some research and found that the recall has two levels: 1 and 2. level 1 is a simple inspection, cleaning and coating. Level 2 requires a bolted in metal brace be installed to reinforce the strut tower. Nissan corporate told me the level 1 repair was already completed and nothing further could be done even though the repair did nothing to remedy the problem and now I am in need of a level 2 repair. I cannot believe that Nissan can walk away from this after their level 1 fix fails to remedy the problem. The level 1 repair is a ticking time bomb as the so called "fix" does nothing to stop the tower from failing. I honestly feel that Nissan has not done enough to remedy the issue and there could still be hundreds or thousands of Pathfinders with bogus level 1 repairs on our roads right this minute. Nissan should provide the level 2 recall even if level 1 has already been completed.

- Ozone Park, NY, USA

problem #30

Nov 082018

Pathfinder

  • 165,000 miles
The area where the control arms attached to the frame/body rusted out making the the car unsafe ti be on thr road. The mechanic advised that other areas of the unibody were also rusting away and advised junking the car.

- Fenton, MI, USA

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problem #29

Sep 262018

Pathfinder

  • 96,070 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 35 mph, the brakes failed. The contact stated that fluid leaked out of the brake lines due to rust on the struts of the vehicle. Due to the brake failure, the vehicle came to a complete stop while driving. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the brakes were replaced. Star Nissan (206-02 northern blvd, bayside, New York 11361, (888) 457-6717) repaired the driver's side strut per NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension), but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the passenger side strut became faulty in September of 2018. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 96,070.

- Whitestone, NY, USA

problem #28

Nov 202017

Pathfinder

  • 140,000 miles

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

Takata recall- the Nissan Consumer Affairs department was unwilling to assist me in repairing the affected vehicle. The closest service area is 98.3 miles one way from my house in which they told me to pay for the cost of travel and time off of work out of my own pocket in order for the repairs to be completed. I asked if the service station could instead pick up my vehicle and provide me a loaner vehicle while the repairs were taking place in which they declined.

- Lander, WY, USA

problem #27

Jul 252017

Pathfinder

  • 50,550 miles
Strut tower rust damage, my Pathfinder started having that noise coming from the steering column during motion. After a quick inspection at the dealership we realized there was a big gap under the strut towers in both sides, and that there was already a recall, but the recall does not includes to replace the strut column, just a cheap, glued-bolted strip of metal they call a bracket that does not even covers the gap. The "fix" used in recall nhsta id: 11V-244 is totally inadecuate for vehicles in which corrosion has take all the base of the strut tower and the tower is already touching the steering column. To elaborate imagine a gap 3 inches high and 12 inches long; two of the 3 inches in heigh were created by material that rusted and fell apart an only one inch if bent displacement. If as the instructions of the recall indicate, the strut tower must be bent back to original position, the gap will be reduced only the one inch that correspond to displacement leavin a 12 by 2 inches gap due to corrosion and it is here, where the recall solution indicates that a trip of steel should be bolted/glued to. The 4-5 inch strip(repair bracket) will be lay in cross position perpendicular to the rusted gap, leaving about 3 inches of the rusted gap exposed to each side. Just like a band aid stick across a big wound. This is not a long term fix, the bracket will fail as well or will detach from the rusted surfaces where it was installed.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

problem #26

Feb 242017

Pathfinder

  • 283,798 miles
I recently bought this vehicle in AZ. However the vehicle came from conneticut. It has a severe wobble when accelerting and decellerating.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #25

Jan 132017

Pathfinder

  • miles
Front strut housing corrosion recall. My mechanic advised me today that the inner shock supports on my vehicle were terribly rotted/corroded. I went onlint to research it and found there may have been a recall of my vehicle. However, I was never contacted. This is very disturbing. I plan to call Nissan to discuss but writing you to see if you have more information on a potential recall. I have lived at the same address as when I purchased the vehicle and the same number but no recall notice was ever sent to me. My mechanic said there is a safety issue driving the vehicle and to address it asap.

- Owings Mils, MD, USA

problem #24

Sep 292016

Pathfinder

  • 132,000 miles

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

Brought vehicle in for repair due to an issue with the steering. Apparently my vehicle has also been affected by the same rust/corrosion problem as previously recalled under recall 11V244000 and 11V244000 although these are not listed with my VIN. Vehicle is unsafe to drive.

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #23

Sep 072016

Pathfinder

  • 120,000 miles
Second time!!

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #22

Sep 012016

Pathfinder

  • 120,000 miles
Should be a recall

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #21

Nov 102015

Pathfinder

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while making a turn at approximately 25 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned that when making a left turn, the vehicle would shake violently without warning. The contact discovered that the undercarriage of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame was excessively corroded and could not be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- North Massatequa, NY, USA

problem #20

Aug 262015

Pathfinder

  • 142,270 miles
There is a active recall for excessive corrosion in the driver side strut tower housing which can cause binding on the steering column. I received a recall in 2011, but never a follow up letter as stated would happen for the remedy process. I took my 2002 vehicle in since it was still eligible for repair.I was told that if it was not repairable, I would be told so and then it would escalate to Nissan na. After bringing in the vehicle, it is now not drivable at all due to the dealership trying to do the recall and damaging the transmission cross-member that it dropped 8". the whole inside of the tower was badly rusted as was much of the under carriage. In fact they let me drive the vehicle back home (43 miles) on the day I bought it in due to my time schedule was not free for 4 hours to wait and they had no loaner vehicle. A mechanic that was ready to purchase the vehicle looked under the hood and showed to my amazement, the tower was already embracing the steering column in such a way as it was embedded in the steel. We have pictures and documentation. So the vehicle was towed back the following day and they went ahead and did the "repair" on the tower. I was called the next day and told that the vehicle was "all set" and ready to be picked up. To my wifes and my surprise the next am arriving at the dealer ship, was the obvious cross-member hanging down on the drivers side. The GM of serafini had the vehicle towed back to my residence in hopes of this all going away after he was going to check the "paper trail". when we got the vehicle back later on, only then did we receive a invoice (attached) telling us the car was uninspected(false) and not safe to drive. It was given to the tow truck operator and he gave it to us. Their way to settle it was to have a junk yard pick it up for $400

- Deposit, NY, USA

problem #19

Jul 242015

Pathfinder

  • 121,000 miles
Brakes failed. Took car to mechanic to repair 7/24/15. Mechanic replaced brake line and bled system but recommended we contact Nissan regarding severe corrosion in the right front strut housing area. The inner fender had pulled away causing the broken brake line. We were unaware of the extent of the corrosion until our mechanic pointed it out to us. We have photos of the area. We took the car to great neck Nissan on 9/2/15. After inspecting the car, they informed us that campaign #11V-244 would be repaired and that it had been previously repaired in 2011 at star Nissan of bayside, NY. The dealership had our vehicle from 9/2/15 until 9/9/15. On 9/8/15 they informed us that the car had additional front end issues that we would be responsible for, however, these issues would not have been a factor had the strut housing tower not been so severely defective. We had to tow our car home from the dealership because it had no brakes and was unsafe. The car is now sitting in our driveway unusable. We drove the car to the dealership and cannot drive it now (after campaign repair). Our mechanic inspected the repair and found the ABS box not secured (bolt missing). The ABS box moves substantially, it is supposed to be bolted to the top of the strut tower but it is not. In addition, the right front strut is leaking which is a direct result of the campaign issue. The left front sway bar link is broken due to the stress of the right front strut housing issue. We now have a vehicle that we cannot use that is otherwise in good condition. We have tried to resolve these issues with the dealership as well as with Nissan Consumer Affairs regional specialist but we were told that all associated issues are at the dealership's discretion. The dealership wants to charge us two hours labor to inspect the brakes but still deny the brake and suspension issues are related to the campaign

- Flushing, NY, USA

problem #18

Feb 022010

Pathfinder 4WD 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the steering wheel locking mechanism failed to unlock and the contact constantly had to maneuver and adjust the steering wheel to insert the key. The contact was able to insert the key after numerous attempts. The contact mentioned that the vehicle experienced the failure of the engine not cranking upon turning the key over into the start position. The contact also experienced suspension failure in which the vehicle was swaying back and forth with no warning at any rate of speed. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer several times and the vehicle had several repairs performed. However the failure recurred. The vehicle was to be taken back to the dealer for further inspection and diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 6/11/15 updated 7/16/2015

- Plainfield, NJ, USA

problem #17

Jan 102015

Pathfinder

  • 178,000 miles
Not pleased with the way Nissan repaired the strut housing recall on my Pathfinder! there was a foot long gash that was about 3in. Wide that Nissan repaired with a piece of sheet metal,4 nuts N bolts, and cocking..now a couple of months later I have two more cracks showing up in front of fix that are running from frame up towards the hood. Going to take it to a few different state inspection places to have them take a look at it before I take it back to Nissan dealer because Nissan is saying there fix is good. Don't know how there fix could be good when they never did any welding and now I have new cracks running vertical towards my hood.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #16

Dec 012014

Pathfinder 4WD 6-cyl

  • 96,540 miles
Rear frame and suspension on passenger side rear, near coil spring and shock mount. Frame has rusted through in the section of the Pathfinder. There is no other rust on the underside of the frame. Condition was found when mechanic had Pathfinder up on lift, inspecting as a used car purchase and a fuel smell and delivery issue causing the engine to stall while driving.vehicle has 96,540 miles on it. Again no other rust on the frame in this area. Was instructed to have repaired, before it becomes a safety issue and drive-ability issue. I do have a photo of this damage.

- Holland , MI, USA

problem #15

Mar 142014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 165,956 miles
The chassis on my vehicle was rotten as per the recall R1107. Premium Nissan repaired the chassis with a patch that is not safe at all to drive. I have had the vehicle looked at again by other mechanics and I do not feel safe to drive my children in the vehicle.

- Larchmont, NY, USA

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