Rear Suspension problems of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder

13 problems related to rear suspension have been reported for the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 07/16/2009

1998 Nissan Pathfinder 200,000 miles. July 2008. Driving on freeway around 60-70 mph, any change in road surface ( ie going over bridge) sends rear of vehicle into severe wobble. Acceleration seems to be only way to recover. Around large curves ( turnpike in pennsylvania) feels very unstable. All shocks/struts had been replaced in last year except r rear, so upon return from trip had r rear replaced. Did not fix problem. Mechanic unable to tell what else is causing problem except wide wheel wall of new tires, but these have been on car for 5 months and problem did not occur before this. 4 months later received call from mechanic stating same vehicle different owner in with same problem, but worse, investigated to find TSB (ntb98-001) for rear upper/lower link bars and bushings needing to be replaced. Mechanic advised it was a significant safety risk to continue driving vehicle without repair, especially as have teenage driver in family, and should be repaired ASAP, at cost of $800-$1000.

2 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 04/10/2009

Swaying action from the rear of vehicle when vehicle is traveling 60mph or higher.

3 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 04/10/2009

Rear swaying of vehicle ( 98 Nissan Pathfinder) when vehicle is traveling over 60 mph.

4 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 01/27/2008

I have noticed that at speed of up to 70mph the backend of my truck starts to shimmy back and forth. If continued at that rate of speed the sway gets worse to the point where it feels like the truck is going to flip over. The only way to correct it is to let off the gas. I have noticed that I am not the only one that has had this problem. This seems like a mechanical defect in the design and should be considered by Nissan for a recall.

5 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 10/24/2007

98 Nissan Pathfinder - extreme rear end sway occurring at highway speeds. Result of faulty upper & lower rear arm bushings. This should be a recall as it creates an extremely dangerous uncontrollable back and forth sway at normal highway speeds.

6 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2007

The contact owns a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 60 mph or greater, the rear of the vehicle sways left to right. The tire shop stated that the vehicle needed new tires and shocks. The shop made the replacement, however, the failure persists. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The VIN and engine size were unknown. The current mileage was 90,000 and failure mileage was 85,000.

7 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 12/24/2006

I have a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder se and have loved it since the day I got it. Until the yesterday when I was driving home from a football game about 110 miles away from home. When I was on the highway doing 65 mph +/- 5 mph, the rear end would start wobbling uncontrollably. It is very dangerous and very unsafe. I did some research online to find the problem ( to save myself money ) and it seems that I am not the only person that has had this problem, Nissan themselves have a site that addresses the issue, but no recall has been made. What has to be done for the automotive company to say " hey this isn't safe, we should get this fixed for our valued customers" I have been driving Nissans for 10 years now and have been thoroughly disappointed in the way it seems the manufacturer is handling this. I think this should be recalled so that everyone with a 1996-1998 Pathfinder doesn't kill themselves or someone else on the road with the wobbles.

8 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 11/10/2006

98 Nissan Pathfinder have the side-to-side wobble, mostly in the rear, at speeds from about 50 to 65 mph. Finally found rear upper and lower suspension links got problem. From website, I found this happened to so many Nissan owners. It is definitely a design problem, which is very dangerous!!.

9 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2006

Refer to internal Nissan motors -technical service bulletin -ntb98-001. Bushing failure on upper and lower rear control link arm bushings that result in excessive rear sway in the vehicle and loss of control at high speeds this is well described by multiple owners all over the internet and costs over 800 dollars to repair and is well described in Nissans TSB so why no recall? how many people have to have a wreck for this to be done?.

10 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2002

While driving 60mph the rear of vehicle shakes violently, it was discovered theat the suspension links were worn out.

11 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2001

Vehicle has had alignment problems from time of purchase. Dealer could not correct problem. Currently, consumer was told that swaybar was inoperable. Nissan willing to replace swaybar under warranty, but not tires.

12 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 04/25/1998

Vehicle leans noticiably to the left, even when parked with no cargo. The dealer showed me a service bulletin that stated the leaning was "acceptable" by their standards. I feel that the leaning can affect the dynamic handling of the vehicle and can cause or aggravate handling problems.

13 Rear Suspension problem

Failure Date: 04/22/1998

Vehicle leans to left. Dealer provide service bulletin that recognized defect but felt it is still within norms. This imbalance can affect handling, especially while turning. This leaning is very noticeable.



Safety Ratings of Pathfinder Cars
Fuel Economy of Pathfinder Vehicles
Pathfinder Service Bulletins
Pathfinder Safety Recalls
Pathfinder Defect Investigations