Frame And Members Problems of Nissan Pathfinder

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle while driving over a speed bump. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a fractured rear sub-frame. The contact was informed that the sub-frame was corroded. The contact was informed that the rear sub-frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 262,000.

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See attached document for complaint.

See all problems of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, on the lift at the independent mechanic, the independent mechanic rust on the sub frame. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had previously taken the vehicle to be repaired under an unknown recall for the hood latch. The contact stated that recommendations were made by the dealer; however, a recommendation for the subframe rust was not provided. The subframe rust was not addressed by the dealer. The vehicle was then taken to the independent mechanic, and the independent mechanic noticed the rust on the subframe. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the contact was informed the vehicle was no longer under an extended warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,019.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 mph, there was an abnormal pop sound detected. The vehicle began to wobble. The contact decreased his speed and pulled over safely. The abs and traction warning lights illuminated. The contact checked the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined the rear subframe frame and cross member were broken. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.  .

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, she observed a clunking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that water had intruded into the driver’s side sub frame where it was rusted and fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that he was informed at a state inspection that the vehicle had failed the inspection due to severe rust on the front sub frame, at the engine cradle location. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the entire sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance would be provided because the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle started to wobble as if the steering wheel was being turned to the left and to the right repeatedly. The contact stated the vehicle wobbled more violently after driving over bumps in the road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact’s husband checked the under carriage and observed that the driver's side rear tire was nearly rusted through. Additionally, there was an inch of room above the wheel well. The contact stated that wheel was turned inward the wheel well. The contact stated that her husband observed extensive rust on the rear subframe and members. The contact stated the vehicle was undrivable. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

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The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle swiveled to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the frame rotted out and the vehicle should not be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 197,000.

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The contact owns a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph he noticed a banging sound and that the steering wheel was loose. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated the front passenger's side strut fractured due to corrosion and the front driver's side strut was also corroded. The mechanic stated the rear frame was severely corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for a routine maintenance when the contact was advised that there was corrosion on the rear differential frame and shocks. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

I took my Nissan 1999 Pathfinder to dealer on recall and was advised vehicle unsafe to drive and was given rental and told Nissan would buyback vehicle.

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I was driving down the highway and hit a bump and my brake light came on. The stuct tower came loose from the welds in the wheel housing and pushed up the strut housing into the brake cyclinder and burst the brake fluid line causing the brakes to fail. Contacted the Nissan dealership who said there was nothing they could do because in wisconsin the winter weather is bad and the rust and corrosion is not unusual. The dealerships body department said it would cost $2,800 to repair so since the car was 9 years old and had 152,000 miles on it I purchased a new car.

1997 Nissan Pathfinder left front strut tower about to collapes due to severe rot.

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I just found action number pe11004 and would like to report that a similar problem has just happened to my 2000 Pathfinder (117,000 miles). I heard a noise coming from the left front strut area and when I and a mechanic looked there was a visible, large horizontal crack extending in both directions in what they described as the side member behind the strut tower. In the course of about a week the crack got noticably larger and the car is now not safe to drive. This car has never been in an accident and there is no reason that this should have happened. The steering road is now resting against the frame as described in the noted action. Two mechanics have now said that this is hazardous and the car is neither safe to drive nor repairable in their opinion, given the age of the vehicle.

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The driverside strut tower has become unattached from the frame. There is no rust marks anywhere in this section. The strut tower wore away at the steering wheel shaft and broke it. I lost all ability to steer the car and was forced to jump a curb.

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2000 Nissan Pathfinder left front wheel well rusting apart by the strut. Mechanic says it could completely fail causing strut to shoot up through the hood. Pathfunder has 153,000 miles on it.

Our Nissan Pathfinder 2001 had a noise in the left front end. We asked our mechanic to take a look at the front end. What he found, and confirmed by 3 other independent shops, was the unibody front end on the driver's side has rotted out. The car has been well maintained and we have had no other problems before this failure. The cost for repair ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 and these are only estimates. Updated ivoq 05/24/11.

The front end of the vehicle was making a strange noise upon inspection I realized the front left strut tower separated from the chassie of the vehicle. After inspection from a registered repair shop they rendered the vehicle unrepairable due to safety liability.

See all problems of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

I started to experienced severe shaking,from side to side while driving on highway, on several occasions, effecting my steering and handling of the vehicle,when either changing lanes or when I hit a slight bump in the road. I honestly started to believe my car was about to roll over, thus causing injury to myself and possibly others while driving on the highway. I then decided to make an appointment with my local nizzan dealaship to find the problem. I was told,that the left apron assembly & left closingplate was severely rotted out and split apart due to corrosion, which lead to the failure of my driver's side front strut tower, which in turn affects the vehicle's aliignment. To correct this problem, I took my car to a local autobody shop and had to replace both parts that I described aboved,along with bolted on parts, an undercoating spray to prevent any future corrosion and the labor cost charged involved.

See all problems of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

Drivers side frame / wheel housing rusted thru to total deterioration.

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.

Steering was not responding properly, would not return quickly. Had it looked into. The front drivers side frame split right through. Causing the strut tower to be pushed up against the steering column. Top of the strut tower pushed up into the hood. According to several mechanics, "death trap" had to junk so no one would be hurt. Updated 02/10/11 updated ivoq 04/21/11.

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.

I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. It recently developed steering issues after hitting a small pothole. My mechanic informed me the entire left wheel well was rotted out and that I should not drive the car on the highway as the wheel might collapse. After then taking the car to a body shop for a repair estimate, I was told this was the 3rd time he had seen the exact same problem, with a 1999-2001 Pathfinder. Researching on line I found numerous complaints on the same issue. Repair estimate was 2000. 00. Mechanic at body shop also stated not to drive car on highway as results could be fatal. Repair will involve removing engine components,bumper and replacing wheel well housing, then welding a reinforcement brace.

I own a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder le, with 149,000 miles, which is now out of warranty. Tues 7/27/10, while pulling out of a parking space, I lost steering control. Find steering column is snapped. Tow to mechanic, who discovers the shock tower, which is part of the frame (uni-body design), has sheared away from the rest of the wheel-well. The shock tower has pushed up into the steering column, causing it to break. Mechanic gave estimate of $640. 00 for steering, and at least $1700. 00 for the wheel-well, which is a body shop repair. Also suggested to call Nissan to see if there a recall on wheel-wells as this is a safety issue, and is not the first time he has heard of this problem. This is not normal wear and tear, it is a design flaw. Control arms just below tearing in frame, if tearing continued, wheel could also become dislodged, in addition to loss of steering. Nissan was called, and wants vehicle towed to dealership for verification at my expense, and in addition pay for diagnostic service. Apparently, I am at their mercy, however how can they give me an unbiased diagnostic, as I am sure the results will be in their favor. I am now at a standstill as the repairs will apparently outweigh the value of the vehicle, which is $4125 trade-in value. However, if this happened on one side, it is reasonable to believe that will occur on the other, doubling cost of repairs.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an engine flush when he was informed that the rear heating pipes were leaking abnormally. The dealer informed the contact that the pipes would need to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the repair of the vehicle and they advised the contact that they were unable to assist. The contact stated the pipes were leaking due to the design of the frame and could cause a crash by leaking fluids onto the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 71,000.

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I have had 2001 Nissan Pathfinder for 18months . My 18 yr old daughter complained of a problem with front drivers side wheel feeling very funny and abs light on. I took car to service stating and was told chassis was completely rotted away leaving shock to go up into motor and pulling away the abs cord. Nothing was on the bottom of car. You could see clearly into the motor from the wheel well. I immediately called Nissan consumer affairs as truck only has 62,000 miles and chassis should not have rotted off making it dangerous to drive. Service station said do not drive unless a chassis can be welded. Brought truck to siny Nissan srv. Center as directed by Nissan consumer affairs and Nissan themselves said do not drive this vehicle for safety. Ie wheel could lock up as frame pulled away and pulled abs and shock was going up toward motor as frame rotted away and nothing to hold shock. I reported findings to Nissan customer srv and they needed some time to research. I emailed Nissan pictures of the frame that no longer was there and they were in touch with Nissan in siny to see what the finding were. I had the car welded as Nissan does not do welding and sent the bill along with the pictures to nadia claims specialist file no 6834802. I was told that since vehicle was past warranty they were no longer responsible for repair. My daughter could have been killed on a highway as there was no frame to a vehicle with 62,000 miles on it. I was told by Nissan themselves not to drive as it was dangerous. Who would purchase a vehicle with 52000 miles for 6800 and after 10,000 pose a risk to theirselves or family members if they knew this could happen. Not only are they responsible for the repairs but I no longer want this vehicle. I should have been reimbursed as this was a manufacturers defect and the abs and shock repaired (which was not. Nissan and their group feels this is not warranted. I feel they are very responsible as does their own specialists in siny.

Front left wheel well at strut mount has rusted through at 155000 making it impossible to drive car. Have found other examples of this problem on the internet. Problem could result in a serious accident if failure occurs while towing. Dealer says car can be repaired for $3000. Contacted Nissan to see if they will pay for all/part of repair.

I owned a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder se and in April 2010 I noticed that the driver side strut well was shifted up into the engine compartmet. I called Nissan USA headquarter in TN and was told that the vehicle was not under warranty. I took the vehicle to a local mechanic/body shop and upon inspection saw that the entire front strut housing was tearing apart fron the chassis due to rusting. It cost me $500. 00 to have the shop removed and welded a new section. Now , I notice that the passenger side strut well -housing have a small rusted hole. The reason for this posting is that I read an article on the web from the washington post about the same complaint a few Nissan Pathfinder owners have with their vehicles. I hope you can help me.

1999 Nissan Pathfinder had front struts replaced last summer. Over the winter I started to get a bumping feeling in the steering. It was really bad when I hit a bump in the road. I didn't think it was that bad until I hit large bump and the vehicle would not allow me to turn. I went off the road and when I hit another bump it turned. I was able to get the truck home. I return to have the front struts and steering checked the mechanic showed me how the unibody separated and is pushing against the steering shaft. He explained there was no fix and to junk the vehicle, and stop driving as soon as possible. This vehicle is only 10 years old.

The contact owns a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard a knocking noise underneath the passenger side of the engine. A few days later, the noise worsened. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the vehicle was not salvageable. The frame was built insufficiently and was rotted out. The dealer stated that they could mold the frame back together, but it would only last temporarily. The contact found numerous complaints on his vehicle for this exact failure. He believes a recall should be issued since it was a manufacturer defect. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.

When towing a camper with my 1996 Nissan Pathfinder the shocks gave out and caused the body of the car to drop down to rub on the wheels. After disconnecting the camper the body rose up to normal position and I looked under the vehicle and discovered that the frame area over the rear wheels on both sides is completely rotted. Checking my son-in-laws 1995 Pathfinder I discovered that his was as bad or worse than mine.

While driving the vehicle on 5/15. 2008 I noticed a strange noise emanating from the outside rear area of the vehicle. The next day while having the vehicles tires replaced a shop employee pointed out to me that the sway bar was broken in half. This is not a normal wear and tear occurrence and was not due to any mistake or misuse of the vehicle by me. I have not driven the vehicle since and the broken part has not been replaced.

This is for my Nissan Pathfinder 1998 model vehicle. From about 2008 I am noticing corrosion from under the vehicle. I was not able to find where to log a complaint,now I know. 1). The bottom of the car rusting completely I think. 2. There is big noise from the bottom of the car feeling like something could be rusted and broken. 3. The 2 side running boards are corroded and broken and separated from the vehicle. I don't feel safe driving this vehicle now.