Nissan Pathfinder Complaints (1997)

217 consumer complaints on file.

#10424852September 12, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL FOR POSSIBLE CORROSION OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN OCTOBER 2009, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LINE FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO DRAIN FROM THE SYSTEM RESULTING IN MINIMAL BRAKING ACTION. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, WHILE HAVING THE MUFFLER REPLACED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE STRUT TOWER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC FURTHER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE STRUT TOWER DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LINE FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME IN THE SAME MANNER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423779September 5, 2011
SUSPENSION
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10417089August 4, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT) WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO WOBBLE EXCESSIVELY. THE REPAIR WAS SUPPOSE TO REPLACE THE STRUT HOUSING. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR AN INSPECTION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE REFUSE TO ASSIST WITH CORRECTING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415023July 25, 2011
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413125July 16, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, WHEELS
RUST/CORROSION IN UNIBODY AT LOWER CONTROL ARM/STRUT ASSEMBLY ON 97' NISSAN PATHFINDER PASSENGER SIDE. THE PROBLEM/FAILURE IS EQUIVALENT IN SEVERITY TO THE SITUATION NISSAN IS RECALLING FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE. (PE11004) ALSO (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000). IF THE CORROSION BECOMES SEVERE ENOUGH, THE STRESSES INVOLVED IN THE STRUT ASSEMBLY OPERATION LOADS, COMPOUNDED BY THE LATERAL LOADS CREATED BY STEERING, AND HANDLING, MAY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, LOWER BALL JOINT/STRUT MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE UNIBODY. THIS WOULD INVARIABLY RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, AND QUITE PROBABLY, IN A HIGHWAY SPEED FAILURE, THROW THE VEHICLE INTO A SKID AS THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STUFFS ITSELF INTO THE WHEEL WELL AREA. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406550June 11, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER HAS BROKEN OFF FROM RUST ON THE FRAME AND IS PUSHING UP AGAINST THE HOOD. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AT ALL AND AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE I WAS FORCED TO GO OUT AND PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. IT PRESENTLY HAS JUST UNDER 110,000 MILES ON IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404476June 5, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER RUSTED AND FAILED, DROPPED 4 INCHES, IN CONTACT WITH BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, NEAR STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE QUIT ON INTERSTATE, SMOKE IN CABIN, COMPUTER BURNED, WIRES TO RELAY BOX OVER LEFT STRUT WORN AND SHORTED, BLOWN FUEL INJECTOR RELAY FUSES . MECHANIC SAYS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UPDATED 07/26/11 UPDATED 02/27/12 *BF *TR UPDATED 03/02/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401240May 17, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EXHIBIT GRINDING NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DRIVER AND HE NOTICED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 154,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398674May 2, 2011
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, LINE SIZE 265/70/R15 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIZE TIRE BLEW. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A WALL AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSE BY A ROAD HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND INSPECT THE TIRE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10397995April 27, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AS THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACTS HOME WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. THE FRONT STRUT WAS FOUND TO BE RUBBING AGAINST THE STEERING SHAFT ABNORMALLY AND CAUSING THE STEERING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE STRUT WAS PUSHED UP APPROXIMATELY THREE INCHES AND WAS BEATING ON THE AIR INTAKE AND THE AIR FILTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS LINES WERE ALSO DAMAGED AND THE WHEEL WAS PUSHING ON THE STEERING SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 ( STEERING: COLUMN) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FALURE UNDER NHTSA ACTION ID: PE11004 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER STEERING SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT STEERING:COLUMN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398054April 27, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER, IT IS GRINDING AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT YET BECAUSE IT IS TOO COSTLY. THERE IS A RECALL ON 1996-2004 PATHFINDERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM HOWEVER BASED ON MY VIN MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. NISSAN DOES RECOMMEND THAT I TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND PAY TO FIX IT TO AVOID ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. HOW COULD I POSSIBLY HAVE THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND PROBLEMS BUT NOT BE PART OF THE RECALL?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397240April 24, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT
1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER ABOUT TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SEVERE ROT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394911April 4, 2011
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY
LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER, AND FRAME RUSTED AWAY CAUSING STRUT TO HIT STEERING SHAFT. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HITTING HOOD. VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10388228March 4, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AT THIS TIME, THIS HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THERE IS SEVERE FRAME RUST THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE FRAME RUST OCCURS ALONG THE REAR AXLE, STEERING COLUMN, AND VARIOUS OTHER LOCATIONS ALONG THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT WHICH ALLOWED TO VEHICLE TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383815February 17, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381539February 11, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE MCPHERSON STRUT WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379932February 2, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER A SMALL HILL, THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME BUT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL COLLISION CENTER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE APRON AND THE FENDER ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,834.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369423December 7, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY AND BECOMING UNUSUALLY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VEHICLE REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,443.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357933September 27, 2010
STEERING
TL* 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10349436August 15, 2010
STEERING, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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