Nissan Pathfinder Complaints (1997)

217 consumer complaints on file.

#10325759April 14, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 10/10/08 INVOLVING MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER VIN#[XXX] , AND 5 OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING MY OWN 2ND CAR. ALL OF WHICH WERE PARKED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE STREET. THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY MY PATHFINDER'S GAS PEDAL FAILURE WHICH CAUSED IT TO STAY AT THE PRESSED DOWN POSITION WHILE GOING AT ABOUT 30MPH, AND I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE, THUS HITTING THE OTHER 5 CARS. THANKS TO THE PRESENCE OF THESE CARS, MY PATHFINDER WAS ABLE TO STOP AND MY SAFETY SPARED. WHEN I FILED THE CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY GEICO (POLICY #[XXX] ), I SPECIFICALLY TOLD THEM THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS NOT CAUSED BY MY RECKLESSNESS OR LACK OF EXPERIENCE, BUT INSTEAD, IT WAS DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE CLAIM #S RELATED TO THE INCIDENTS ARE: [XXX] AND [XXX] . DESPITE OF THAT, MY INSURANCE PREMIUM NEARLY DOUBLED. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND FAULT IN THE GAS PEDAL UPON INSPECTION. I HAD SUBSEQUENTLY SOLD THE CAR. THE RECENT TOYOTA RECALLS HAVE BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF THAT INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE MECHANICAL FAILURE ON THE PATHFINDER WAS EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO THOSE ON THE TOYOTAS. I HAVE SEEN MY FORMER VEHICLE PARKED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER THE NEW OWNERSHIP. I HAVE NOTED DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER SHOULD NHTSA DECIDE TO TRACK IT DOWN FOR INSPECTION. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO REPORT THE ABOVE PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED MY FORMER NISSAN VEHICLE OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE CURRENT OWNER'S SAFETY. IN ADDITION, ITS FALLOUT HAS BROUGHT ME GREAT FINANCIAL AND MENTAL BURDEN. I HOPE AND WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF NHTSA COULD TAKE THE TIME AND LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320635March 18, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL- CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE DRIVER STATES SHE WAS RECENTLY TRYING TO SELL HER VEHICLE SO SHE WENT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE A CAR-FAX DONE ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATES THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT HER VIN NUMBER WAS COMING BACK STATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SOLD WITH C4C IN 2009 AND A JUNK TITLE CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED. THE DRIVER STATES SHE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE OVER 10 YEARS SO SHE HAS NOT IDEA WHY THIS WOULD BE. THE MILEAGE ON HER VEHICLE IS 133,332. AR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307180February 7, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
OUR 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER DEVELOPS A REAR ROCKING MOTION (SWAY, WOBBLE) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT WOULD CLEARLY PUT THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL IF NOT QUICKLY STOPPED, WHICH CAN USUALLY BE ACCOMPLISHED BY LETTING OFF THE GAS. THIS HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY AND REPEATEDLY, SOMETIMES EVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS (IN THE 40 MPH RANGE.) THE SENSATION IS VERY UNNERVING TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS NOT DUE TO ANYTHING THE DRIVER HAS DONE AND IT STRIKES WITHOUT WARNING. IN JUST A FEW SECONDS THE CAR FEELS LIKE 2 SECONDS MORE AND IT WILL FLIP OR ROLL OR CRASH INTO ANOTHER LANE! (TAKE A RIDE WITH ME, YOU'LL SEE I'M NOT EXAGGERATING.) THE TRICK IS TO STOP THE ROCKING AS SOON AS YOU NOTICE IT STARTING, USUALLY BY LETTING OFF THE GAS. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO MANY PATHFINDER OWNERS (IN THE 1996-200 RANGE) AND TO NISSAN, WHICH HAS PRODUCED A TSBS ON IT (NTB98-001, NTB98-012) BUT THE COMPANY HAS NOT DEALT WITH IT AS A RECALL. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE ($700-$1,400) REPAIR APPARENTLY DUE TO FAULTY CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, THE SMART REPAIR IS APPARENTLY TO USE POLYURETHANE AFTER-MARKET BUSHINGS INSTEAD OF OEM (UNLESS YOU WANT IT TO COME BACK AGAIN IN LESS THAN 100K.) *TW WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 6 MONTHS AND OURS SET IN AT ABOUT 170K BUT MANY OTHER OWNERS WERE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO AT 100K. AND MANY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HOW NISSAN HAS NOT HANDLED THIS DESIGN PROBLEM THEY CREATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302084January 24, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NISSAN WILL NOT HONOR VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR POSSIBLE FUEL TANK PROBLEM SEE NTB07-078 FUEL FILLER TUBE CORROSION. THE CAR EXHIBITS ALL THE SYMPTOMS (HEAVY FUEL SMELL AROUND FILLER) BUT THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT REF CASE# CREATED AT THEIR CUSTOMER CENTER 1-800-NISSAN1 FIELD REP WONT AUTHORIZE DIAGNOSTIC VISIT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296901December 24, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
1997 PATHFINDER WOBBLES IN THE REAR WILDLY AT TIMES, USUALLY WHEN I HIT THE ACCELERATOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275149June 28, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
97 PATHFINDER SAFETY PROBLEM WITH REAR SUSPENSION LINKS. SIDE TO SIDE SWAY. ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO FLIP IT IS SO BAD. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM! DANGEROUS??? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10260713March 4, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND SOMETIMES SLOWER THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN 4 -5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED NORMALLY. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS, THE RPMS INCREASE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS, BUT THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN FOR THE 1996-1999 MODELS REGARDING IDLE SPEED FAILURES. THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS PERTAINED TO HER VEHICLE AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 124,196. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND IT WOULD ACT AS IF THE GAS WAS NOT BEING APPLIED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE CONSUEMR HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. UPDATED 03/25/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260183February 27, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL FILLER TUBE RUSTED OUT AND FELL OUT. NISSAN IS TELLING ME ITS NOT COVERED ON RECALL. ALL 1997 PATHFINDERS HAD THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255377January 16, 2009
SUSPENSION
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248510November 11, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER HAS PUSHED UP INTO THE HOOD DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME. AFTER 118,000 MILES, THE ODOMETER ON OUR 97 PATHFINDER STOPPED WORKING AND WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG EVERY TIME WE HIT A BUMP WITH THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AND THE STRUT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. WE HAD THE PATHFINDER TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE, AND AFTER PLACING ON THE FRAME MACHINE DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $2100.00 TO REPAIR AND ADVISED US NOT TO SPEND THE FUNDS TO REPAIR. THEY TOLD US THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT SUCH A WELL TAKEN CARE OF PATHFINDER WAS NOT SAFE AND READY TO BE CRUSHED. WE ARE NOW LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT LOOKS AND RUNS FINE, BUT CANNOT BE DRIVEN OR SOLD. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT WE DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR HURT ANYONE, BUT ARE NOW OUT $5000.00 (VALUE OF THE PATHFINDER). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243535September 26, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
TRUCK SWAYS DANGEROUSLY SIDE TO SIDE IN REAR WHILE DRIVING AT OVER 40MPH REPLACED STRUTS & SHOCKS. MECHANIC SUSPECTS REAR UPPER & LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS VERY EXPENSIVE USUALLY BECAUSE OF LABOR. THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF INFERIOR QUALITY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232455June 26, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
AFTER DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER TO THE REASON WHY MY VEHICLE WAS ACTING THE WAY IT WAS I STUMBLED UPON AN INTERNET SITE WITH OTHER PATHFINDER OWNERS DESCRIBING SAME THINGS I WAS EXPERIENCING. I OWN A NISSAN PATHFINDER XE 3.3 L 4X4. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS VIOLENT SWAYING OF THE REAR END AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 65 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP IS TO TAP THE BREAKS OR SPEED UP. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT AT THE COST OF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. NOTHING HAS WORKED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH! ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE VELOCITIES AT WHICH IT OCCURS. IT IS THE CONSENSUS OF THE MANY POSTERS ON THE SITE THAT THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS ARE THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228880May 25, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1997 PATHFINDER WOBBLES LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN REACHING SPEED OF 65-70 MPH. STOPPED WOBBLING WHEN RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS AND THE TWO FRONT AXLES..SAME PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS CONDITION AND NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND CORRECT IT!!!!...I PERSONALLY KNOW OF TWO OTHER PATHFINDER'S OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227922May 15, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER REAR LINK ARM BUSHING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226419May 1, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:FRONT
REAR BUSHINGS ON NISSAN PATHFINDERS. MINE IS A 97 MODEL. THAT SWAYS AS SOON AS I HIT 65 MPH. I HAVE TO TAP ON THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATE FOR THE SWAYING TO STOP. IT STARTS AGAIN SOON AFTER. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE REAR BUSHINGS .WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/T5LSTPR5ONPC09CTLFOR ANY SOLUTIONS AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I AM REQUIRED TO DRIVE TO WORK EACH DAY AND JUST CAN'T FANTHOM THE THOUGHT OF LOOSING TOTAL CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE NISSAN WON'T RECALL THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222685March 29, 2008
SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION:REAR
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 $1,400.00 (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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222569March 28, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS THE WELL DOCUMENTED "DEATH WOBBLES" ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY IT IS THE REAR BUSHINGS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE. CAUSES SEVERE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. I'VE HEARD THE SAME STORY FROM MANY NISSAN OWNERS. I'M FRIGHTENED TO EVEN SELL THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS EVEN WHEN I TELL A BUYER ABOUT THE FACTORY PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212046December 17, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, I HAVE NOTICED MORE AND MORE, THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES NEAR LEFT REAR SIDE OF MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFNDER, NEAR THE FUEL CAP AREA. I HAVE ALSO BEEN GETTING A CHECK ENGINE CODE P0440. I INQUIRED WITH NISSAN ABOUT A NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V435000, IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY FUEL FILL TUBE. I WAS INFORMED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY STATED MY 1997 PATHFINDER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT SINCE MY 1997 MODEL PATHFINDER WAS PRODUCED ON 11/1996, AND I AM THINKING NISSAN WILL ONLY HONOR VEHICLES LIKE MINE,,BUT ACTUALLY PRODUCED IN THE 1997 FISCAL YEAR. OBVIOUSLY, THE 1997 MODEL YEAR STARTED LATE IN 1996, LIKE MINE, AND USED THE SAME PARTS AS THOSE PRODUCED IN 1997 FISCAL YEAR. I BELIEVE, SINCE MINE IS AN ACTUAL 1997 MODEL, BUT PRODUCED IN 1996 FOR SALE AS A 1997, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INCLUDED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL NOT DISCUSS ANY DETAILS WITH ME, EVEN THOUGH I INFORMED THEM OF THE GAS FUMES,,AND THAT MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS UNDER THE CAMPAIGN. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA, ON BEHALF OF THOSE 1997 MODEL PATHFINDERS, BUT PRODUCED IN THE FISCAL YEAR OF 1996,,BUT AS A 1997 MODEL , TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT. NISSAN OF AMERICA, REFUSED TO EXPLAIN WHY MY 1997 PATHFINDER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THIS CAMPAIGN. AGAIN, I BELIEVE THIS MAY HAVE BEEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR PROCEDURAL ERROR, IN EXCLUDING THOSE 1997 MODEL PATHFINDERS, PRODUCED PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2007. SUCH AS MINE AND OTHERS. PROPERLY, IT IS OBVIOUS THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF MISTAKE, IN NOT INCLUDING OR REPAIRING THESE 1997 MODELS IN THIS CAMPAIGN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209190November 16, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
I READ FROM NHTSA A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER REGISTERED IN PENNSYLVANIA. I SENT AN INQUIRY TO NISSAN OF AMERICA, TO SEE IF I COULD BE PUT ON A LIST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. IT EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL, I.E. GAS FUME SMELL NEAR THE FUEL TANK FILLER ON OCCASIONS. I EMAILED NISSAN TWICE,,AND THEY DENY THERE ARE ANY RECALLS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE NHTSA #07V435000 RECALL ON MY 1997 PATHFINDER..THIS IS CONFUSING,,AND I INQUIRED A SECOND TIME..STILL THEY DENY ANY RECALLS CURRENT OR TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208511November 9, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE (81,000 MILES); AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT THE FRONT SHOCKS WERE SHOT; THEN A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT NO - IT WAS THE FRONT STRUTS. I HAVE SINCE FOUND A WEB SITE WITH MANY OWNERS OF THIS VINTAGE MODEL THAT TELL ME THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE 8 REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS - THIS IS DANGEROUS. AT VERY LEAST, THEY SHOULD NOTIFY OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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