15 problems related to rear suspension have been reported for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving on the highway in clear conditions on smooth payment with my two small children in the back at speeds of 65-70 mph, the vehicle suddenly began swaying and wobbling in a severe manner, nearly causing me to lose control of the Pathfinder. As I was not in an area where I could safely stop, I had to continue to drive some distance and the swaying and wobbling continued intermittently and without warning, making it difficult to control the vehicle. After researching this issue, I discovered numerous similar incidents and am dismayed there has been no recall as this is a hidden defect. My mechanic could not locate the problem until I showed him my findings from my research, and confirmed the rear bushings are defective and must be replaced. This is an extremely dangerous condition and there should be a recall.
1996 Nissan Pathfinder has inherent rear suspension problem. Thousands of these vehicles sway uncontrollably from the rear without any action by the driver. The problem is poor design by the manufacturer resulting in a very dangerous and sometimes uncontrollable driving situation. Nissan should recall these vehicles.
The contact owns a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that she was unable to drive at speeds above 40 mph or the vehicle would become difficult to control due to excessive shaking. The dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the rear axle, bushings, and struts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified. No repairs were performed. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 127,000.
Rear end sways at freeway speeds so I changed shocks & struts but problem still exists, found out its the rubber bushings on the rear stabilizers they are defective.
I have a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder and there is a dangerous sway when I drive, it feels like the rear end is going to fish tail.
At ~ 65mph, my 96 Pathfinder can sway spontaneously, almost to the point of the car bouncing. Driver & passenger neck snaps back and forth. Very dangerous.
Rear upper and lower control link rod bushings defective causing dangerous rear end sway at highway speeds which could lead to a crash, serious injury and death. Repair is costly and is a known defect with dealerships and Nissan.
I am reporting a failure in the suspension system of my 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. At speeds of 50+ mph, the back half of the vehicle has instances where out of nowhere it begins to sway back and forth for about 5-10 seconds and then it stops and will do it again just out of the blue. I reasonably foresee this failure resulting in a potential cause of death, personal injury, or property damage. All instances of this occurrence has occurred while driving on a heavily traveled interstate. There was a tech service bulletin addressing this issue but Nissan should change it to a recall.
1996 Nissan Pathfinder wobbles intensly at 50 - 65 mph. Took to repair shops and had struts replaced, tires balanced many times. I understand it is the rear arm bushings. This is a defect and extremely dangerous.
1996 Nissan Pathfinder wobbles dangerously at high speeds, over 60 mph. Mechanic fixed struts for $800, but problem persists. Just went online and found out lots of Nissan Pathfinder owners are having this problem, and the fix usually has to do with bushings. That will probably cost me another $800. This is a dangerous problem and Nissan owes its customers a recall. Thank goodness I seemed to have figured out the problem without an accident. I hope the word gets out to all Pathfinder owners before a tragedy occurs.
1) slightly applied gas on a turn at 35 mph 2) loss of traction and lost control of the vehicle and skidded to 180 degree turn. Vehicle's rear end also wobbles dangerously at 50 to 65 mph upon acceleration/deceleration. 3) so far new struts and shocks but no solution to the vehicle's performance.
Noticed back end of my Pathfinder swaying at speeds 60-70 mph. Brought to my mechanic and was told rear bushings are bad and need to be replaced. My mechanic said it is a bad part but not yet a recall by Nissan but should be. I have found alot of similar complains on the web by other Nissan Pathfinder owners. I also found recalls on other Nissan's for this same problem but not the Pathfinder. I feel it is very dangerous and should be a recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I bought a used Nissan Pathfinder 1996 from a dealer on 2002. The car worked fine for a couple of months but it started to wobble side to side. The problem was escalating, I changed tires, struts, axle and the problem still there. The warranty finish from the dealer and boom the problem got harder to fix due to financial issues. It is hard to see the car is not drivable and I need it fix. It is really dangerous having to drive a car that sways to the right or left any given moment. I haven't driven the car but it is sitting on my driveway waiting for me to find an absolution. The dealer should of told me what was wrong if they had reports. I was a newbie buying a car so little did I know.
1996 Nissan Pathfinder se 4 wheel drive. I have been experiencing a serious wobble from the rear of my Pathfinder at speeds above 50 mph. It is dangerous and can cause loss of control if I do not reduce my speed which can be a hazard on the freeway.
Dealer said they could not locate the source of the thumping sound.