1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER Recalls, Complaints & Safety

The vehicle swings left to right when cruising at about any speed. When the vehicle is pulling it does not swing or sway, however once the vehicle has got up to a desired speed and you try to maintain a steady speed it starts a “death wobble” which nearly cannot hold it on correct side of the road. You have to increase speed or reduce speed dramatically to regain control of the vehicle.

I HAVE TAKEN MY NISSAN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DECODE MY ENGINE LIGHT. I HAVE PAID FOR SEVERAL REPAIRS TO HAVE THE EVAL CODE CORRECTED. AFTER THE LAST ATTEMPT OF TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT MY EVAL TUBE IS CLOGGED THROUGHOUT AND THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE WITH NISSAN. I'M STUCK WITH A CLOGGED SYSTEM THAT IS UNREPAIRABLE.

VEHICLE HAS A SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR, EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON DRY PAVEMENT ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY: AT AROUND 55-60 MPH, THE BACK END OF VEHICLE SWAYS VIOLENTLY, WITH NO WARNING OR APPARENT CAUSE. DRIVER FEELS THAT IF SPEED IS NOT IMMEDIATELY DECREASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL.

A DEFECT IN THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FILL TUBE ALLOWED ROAD SALT TO FORM RUST ON THE FUEL FILL AND OR VENT TUBE RESULTING IN FUEL VAPORS TO ESCAPE IN THE AIR AROUND THE GAS TANK. IT IS HEAVY AT TIMES. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NISSAN SAYS MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS NOTICED WHEN EVER YOU WALK BY THE CAR. STATIONARY. ANY WHERE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING , SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

THE VEHICLE LOST STRUTS, STEERING RACK, AND HAS SERIOUS ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T NEED TO FIX. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS FALLING APART.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED VIOLENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

DRIVING TRUCK GOT SO BAD IT WAS HARD TO KEEP IN ROAD..WOULD GO SIDE TO SIDE ON HIGHWAY AND TURNS WERE NOT EASY TO SAY IN LANE.TOOK TO CLARKTIRE CO ..THEY REPLACED LOTS OF PARTS AND SAID MOUNTS FOR SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE PRETTY BADLY RUSTED CAUSING EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THOSE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT REDUCED SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN IN 2011 ( REPLACED WITH USED PART ) STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN IN 2013 ( REPLACED WITH NEW NISSAN ORIGINAL PART) STEERING SHAFT WAS BROKEN 10 2014 (REPLACED WITH NEW NISSAN ORIGINAL PART) CORRODED STRUT TOWER. STEERING SHAFT RESTING ON THE CORRODED STRUT TOWER/ STEERING TOWER BREAKING WHILE DRIVING. IN ONE OF THE INCIDENTS, IT BROKE ON A MAJOR STREET IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ( 11TH AND PENNSYLVANIA AVE ) COST OF TOWING WAS $150.00. *TR

THE TRAILER ARMS FAILED. THIS IS WHAT HOLDS THE REAR AXLE STEADY AND WILL CAUSE THE TRUCK TO SWAY OR HULA HOOP THE REAR END. I REPLACED THEM MYSELF $160.00 FOR THE PARTS 3HOURS UNDER THE CAR. ALSO REPLACED THE SHOCKS 5 DAYS LATER. RIDES LIKE NEW. LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME IS ALSO ROTTING OUT. HOPE THEY OPEN A RECALL ON THE FRAME. I WILL CHECK THE FRONT STRUT HOUSING FOR RUST. *TR

THE FRAME, INCLUDING CHASSIS, SUSPENSION AND BODY HAS EXTENSIVE RUST. THE SUSPENSION IS CAVING INTO THE CHASSIS DUE TO EXTENSIVE CHASSIS RUST. THE RUST IS NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF VEHICLE. IT IS DUE TO INADEQUATE COATING TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLES OF SAME MODEL (YEAR) OF OTHER MAKES HAVE MINIMAL RUST COMPARED TO THIS VEHICLE. EVEN THE MECHANICS I HAVE APPROACHED HAVE SIMILAR OPINION THAT THIS VEHICLE ACROSS THE BOARD IS POORLY BUILT, AND MORE RUST PRONE. THE VEHICLE CAN BE POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC IF THE RUST EATS THROUGH AND MAKES SUSPENSION/AXLES COLLAPSE, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR RUST ISSUES, BUT THE RECALL ONLY COVERED PART OF THE PROBLEM, WHILE THERE IS MORE EXTENSIVE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

THE VEHICLE STARTS SWAYING DANGEROUSLY, AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH . AT A HIGHER SPEED THE CAR WILL STARTS BACK SWAYING AND FISH TAILING AND WOULD FLIP SPECIALLY ON A WET ROADS, NO CONTROL TO IT. *TR

THE ROUND RUNNING BOARDS ARE RUSTING SEVERELY AND POSE A DANGER TO ANYONE ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

WHEN I DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRUCK WILL START TO ROCK AND FISHTAIL AT RANDOM AND ERRATIC TIMES CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLES EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SAME INCIDENT AND FEEL NISSAN SHOULD CORRECT THERE ENGINEERING FAILURE. *TR

AT AROUND 120000 MILES THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY. MECHANICS COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ONLY WAY TO STOP THE SWAY IS TO TAP THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATE. HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN AND IS DOWNRIGHT SCARY AT TIMES. ALSO THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY / FRAME IS EXTREMELY CORRODED. VEHICLE SHOULD NOT CORRODE THAT QUICKLY. ALL UNDERBODY PARTS ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

AT RANDOM... THIS PATHFINDER WILL GO INTO A CRAZY DEATH WOBBLE, TO THE POINT TO WERE IT WANTS TO PUT YOUR HEAD AND THE HEADS OF YOUR CHILDREN THREW THE WINDOWS. I HAVE REPLACED THE SHOCKS IN THE CAR. BUT YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS. MY CAR IS AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW RACKING UP A BILL THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD, FOR SOMETHING THEY WILL MOST LIKELY NOT BE ABLE TO FIX. I HAVE READ A HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON LINE THAT DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM TO A T. GOD HELP US! *TR

VEHICLE SWAYS VERY BAD DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION AND STOP IF YOU PUSH THE BRAKE OR SPEED UP. FEELS REALLY DANGEROUS AND FOUND OTHERS WITH SAME VEHICLE AND SAME PROBLEM. *TR

EXTREME REAR END WOBBLE (SWAY) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE DISPLAYED HAVING A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL IN THE FUEL GAUGE AND WAS DRIVEN SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO FUEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IF IT WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE OR DOWNHILL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE FUEL FENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED A SEPARATION OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER A SPEED BUMP AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000. UPDATED 8/24/12 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATD THE FRONT AND REAR SWAY BAR LINKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING:COLUMN). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO THE RECALL AND DID NOT INFORM THE CONTACT OF THE REPAIRS NEEDED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE STRUT HOUSING WAS CORRODED AND THE RECALL REPAIR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,600.

I BOUGHT MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER A FEW MONTHS AGO AS MY SECOND VEHICLE TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK SOME 30 MILES ONE WAY. I CAN'T DRIVE IT MORE THAN UP THE STREET BECAUSE IT HAS DEVELOPED A SEVERE SWAYING DEFECT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH. IT IS SO BAD THAT IT FEELS LIKE AN AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE!. IT IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET TO TRY TO GET SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE OVER SEVERAL YEARS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS "DEATH SWAY" THAT IT IS ACTUALLY APPALLING THAT NISSAN OR THE CONSUMER SAFETY DEPARTMENT HASN'T STEPPED IN TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE FOUND THAT IT IS A REAR UPPER AND LOWER BUSHING ARM THAT SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT AT A HEFTY EXPENSE OF UP TO $1,000. A LIFE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE TAKEN FOR NISSAN TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WELL DOCUMENTED DEFECT. NISSAN NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT IS INEXCUSABLE. *TR

PLEASE NOTE THAT NISSAN DEALERSHIP ONLY PATCHED UP THE STRUT TOWER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DISPLAY PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. I AM AFRAID TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE REPAIR SERVICES THAT WERE COMPLETED AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN TURNERVILLE N.J. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL FILLER TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V435000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000(SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHEET METAL THAT WAS USED TO COVER THE RUST ON THE STRUT TOWER PER THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO THE INADEQUATE RECALL REMEDY BUT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE A RESPONSE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

97 PATHFINDER SAFETY PROBLEM WITH REAR SUSPENSION LINKS. SIDE TO SIDE SWAY. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO FLIP .ARE THESE PARTS DEFECTIVE? ARE THEY OF INFERIOR QUALITY? THIS CAN CAUSED AN UNSAFE CONDITION ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SEAMS LIKE NISSAN USA IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION: RA97-002, REFERENCE: NTB98-001, HOPEFULLY WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEBODY GETS KILL FOR NISSAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

I RECEIVED NISSAN CAR RECALL PROGRAM(11V24400) AND GOT INSPECTION AT LOCAL NISSAN DEALER(NISSAN NORTH AMERICA,INC. NY) ON 07/14/11. THE INSPECTION REPORT SHOWING MY CAR "FOUND EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON LEFT STRUT" SINCE LAST YEAR(07/14/11) INSPECTION NISSAN DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY SERVICE OF MY CAR PROBLEM(I BEEN CALL THEIR DEALER FEW TIMES). I GOT ANSWER FROM NISSAN IS THEY DON'T HAVE THIS PARTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CORROSION ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS UN-REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 02/01/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE STRUT TOWER. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STRUT TOWER, IT'S THE FRAME, THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

THIS WAS A MULTICAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE PATHFINDER DRIVEN BY MY SON. THE PATHFINDER WAS STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER CAR (A PRIUS) AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN THE PATHFINDER WAS REAR-ENDED BY A SUV AT FULL SPEED (NO ATTEMPT TO BRAKE). THE SHOCK FROM BEHIND WAS SO VIOLENT THAT THE PATHFINDER HIT THE PRIUS, CAUSING SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE PATHFINDER (BUMPER, GRILL, ENGINE HOOD, RADIATOR, ETC.) AND THE REAR OF THE PRIUS. THE INSURANCE DECLARED THE PATHFINDER A TOTAL LOSS. DESPITE MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE BACK AND FRONT OF THE PATHFINDER, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! LUCKILY FOR MY SON, THE SEAT-BELT DID ITS WORK. *TR

Crash 1 injured

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

I MOVED TO CHARLESTON SC IN JUNE OF 2007 FROM RICHMOND VA. I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLICKING SOUND WHENEVER I WOULD TURN A CORNER OR TURN STEERING WHEEL TO PARK OR LEAVE DRIVEWAY ABOUT A YEAR AGO. EVERYTIME I TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE OR MAINTENANCE, I WOULD TELL MECHANIC. IT WASN'T UNTIL MAY OF 2011 SOMEONE ACTUALLY CHECKED FRONT TIRES AND AXLES AND STRUT MOUNTS. THIS IS WHEN I WAS INFORMED OF DAMAGE. I STILL HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS TRYING TO REPAIR NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS BECAUSE NOONE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. I'VE HAD TO PAY FOR THREE FRONT END ALIGNMENTS IN TWO WEEKS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. NOW I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER UNTIL ABOUT 2 OR 3 WEEKS AGO AND IT DOES NOT LIST RICHMOND VA AS ONE OF THE STATES, HOWEVER, EVERY YEAR I LIVED IN VA WE HAD LOTS OF SNOW AND SALT WAS PUT DOWN WITH SAND. WE ALSO HAD FLOOD GASTON IN AUGUST OF 2005 SO THERE WERE NUMEROUS STATE THAT EXPERIENCED REGULAR SALT USE IN THE WINTER.I WOULD APPRECIATE NISSAN SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT FOR INSPECTION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR