Steering Wheel Problems of Nissan Pathfinder

Vehicle taken to Nissan dealership for recall campaign 11v-244 inspection and repair of strut housings and steering column. Dealership confirmed corroded strut towers were pulling away from the body of the vehicle and that it was unsafe to drive. Dealership indicated that Nissan USA refused recall because vehicle was not in a specified VIN range. Nhtsa later confirmed that the recall was not limited to a VIN range and that the vehicle meets the recall criteria because it is within the applicable year range and is registered in massachusetts. Nissan USA has not contacted me directly yet.

See all problems of the 2003 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

Left front strut tower, and frame rusted away causing strut to hit steering shaft. Brake master cylinder hitting hood. Vehicle unsafe to drive.

See all problems of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

Recently purchased a used 96 Nissan Pathfinder, and immediately noticed an uncontrollable sway or wobble at highway speeds, very nearly causing an accident. Internet research has shown that this problem is widespread. Apparently it's source is the failure of the rear link bushings. This is not an isolated problem, every vehicle with this suspension will experience this problem given enough length of service. Also, there is not an inexpensive fix, with bushings costing several hundred dollars to replace, and requiring a hydraulic press to install the new bushings (something I don't have in my garage). Recall searches have identified recalls for issues such as potential corrosion possibly affecting steering, replacement lights not having enough amber color, and thickness of the carpet padding. If these issues are serious enough to warrant a recall, why is suspension failure not? I feel safe in saying that this issue has undoubtedly caused accidents, injuries, and perhaps death, whether or not anyone cares to admit it. I also know that mine is not the first complaint to the NHTSA regarding this issue. Something needs to be done, these vehicles are not safe!!!.

See all problems of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

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.

Also after having the previously mentioned problem fixed, 1 week later I noticed the following: my 2000 Nissan Pathfinder seemed excessively bumpy and the steering seemed very stiff at times after hitting a pothole. I took it into my mechanic and was told that the frame has rusted through where the wheel well is attached to a strut mount. The strut is loose (causing the bumpy ride) and the strut is pressing against the steering system causing the steering to be stiff. I was told that if I continued to drive it and went over a bump, the strut could plunge through the hood. I feel that this is a safety issue that could cause a serious or fatal accident if I were to hit a pothole at on a highway at a high rate of speed. After investigating the incident further, I have come to find out that this is a structural defect issue with Pathfinders and the and the cause was that the frame rusted through.

See all problems of the 2000 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

Both front strut housing rusted. Driver side strut housing crack and pull away from the assembly, damaging strut, housing touch the steering column, grinding noises from steering column.

See all problems of the 1999 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

The driver side strut tower on my 2001 Pathfinder completely rusted through. The strut tower was disconnected from the body due to the rust. When the tower finally let go, the steering was affected causing issues steering the vehicle. The problem was only on the driver side. There is a significant amount of rust on the driver side under carriage of the vehicle, whereas the passenger side is not as bad. The disconnection of the tower caused damage to the front end suspension components.

See all problems of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

Creaking noise while steering. . . . . Replaced spiral cable. Two hours after having vehicle fixed - it started all over again. Now I have another appointment to fix this problem.

See all problems of the 2002 Nissan Pathfinder 🔎.

After a routine tire rotation, the steering wheel would shake from side to side during speeds of 35-40 and again at 50-65. Steering rack replaced, rear diff replaced, tires replaced, tires balanced, drive shaft replaced. Now vehicle has a excessive vibration a speeds of 30-35, and again at 50-60. Causes numbness and tingling in hands and noted on feet. It is not just the wheel that vibrates excessively, it can be felt on the shifter and down by the driver and passenger foot well.

Vehicle pulls to left/right; also, there is a clunking, intermittent, in the steering column that sounds like something may be hitting ot breaking.

While driving 40-45 a rear tire was making noise, steering wheel and rear tires locked up. Consumer tried to pull vehicle over accelerator pedal, had no power. Vehicle was towed to repair shop. Please provide further information.

While traveling consumer lost control of vehicle due to steering wheel locking up, resulting in an accident.