1997 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETECTED AN EMISSION TROUBLE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND SOMETIMES SLOWER THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN 4 -5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED NORMALLY. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS, THE RPMS INCREASE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS, BUT THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN FOR THE 1996-1999 MODELS REGARDING IDLE SPEED FAILURES. THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS PERTAINED TO HER VEHICLE AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 124,196. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND IT WOULD ACT AS IF THE GAS WAS NOT BEING APPLIED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE CONSUEMR HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. UPDATED 03/25/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, LINE SIZE 265/70/R15 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIZE TIRE BLEW. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST A WALL AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSE BY A ROAD HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND INSPECT THE TIRE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2004, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 DRIVING ON THE EAST BOUND LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY OHE OF THE TIRES ON MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHREDDED/CAME APART THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT 265/70/15 # ELEKDCL1100. I JUST PURCHASED THE TRUCK ONE MONTH AGO, AND FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD AT THE BRIDGESTON/FIRESTONE DEALER THE TIRE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. 3 YEAR OLD TIRES SHOULD WEAR DOWN NOT COME APART. I WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. MY TRUCK SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT 1/4 PANEL, DOOR, WHEEL WELL MOLDING, THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND RUNNING BOARD. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE HELPS TO ALLOW ME TO MAKE A LIVING AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT IT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE AND WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND AND CAN ONLY HOPE THIS CAN BE RESOLVED IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS OR SO, WHICH IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT. IF YOU CAN GIVE/FORWARD ANY FURTHER INFORMATION TO ME I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. I CAN ALSO BE REACHED AT 631-463-9084. THANK YOU FOR HANDLING THIS IN AN EXPEDIENT MANNER PAUL BALSAMO . *AK

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

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

#1 AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING - CAR 7 YEARS OLD- MANUAL SAYS CHECK AT 10 YEARS -NISSAN CHARGED $80.00 TO CHECK- TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $750.00 TO FIX- I REFUSED- LIGHT IS OFF SINCE THEY CHECKED IT- WAS TOLD IT WILL COME BACK ON-AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO WORK WHILE LIGHT IS OFF -#2 ALSO CORROSION-SUPPORT BAR FELL OFF -DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NM

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 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.

CLUTCH BAD. *JB

ENGINE PROBLEM LIGHT COMES ON. BOTH TRANSMISSION COMPUTERS MALFUNCTIONING AND SHORTENING EACH OTHER OUT. DEALER REPAIRED FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED COMMENTING THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM W/ MODEL AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT COULD LEAD TO INJURY BUT REFUSES TO RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE COST OF DOING SO EVEN THOUGH IT IS DANGEROUS.

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.

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

PROBLEM WITH SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT DURING AN ACCIDENT. *MR THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE AND SWERVED OFF OF THE ROAD. THE SEAT BELT THAT FASTENED THE CHILD SEAT HAD COME APART. (THE VINYL PORTION OF THE LAP BELT HAD BROKEN FREE FROM THE BUCKLE) SCC

DRIVER'S SEATBELT REPLACED 4 TIMES DUE TO LOCKING UP TOO TIGHTLY, WON'T RELEASE ONCE TIGHTENED. CONSUMER HAS NO MOVEMENT, DEALER KEPT REPLACING BELTS WITH SAME TYPE. ALSO, PROBLEM WITH FILLER TUBE, IT OVERFLOWS WHEN GETTING GAS, IT FILLS RESERVOIR. MECHANIC SAID IT WOULD CAUSE PROBLEM. CANISTER WAS REPLACED. *AK ACCELERATOR STUCK. *YH

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER RUSTED AND FAILED, DROPPED 4 INCHES, IN CONTACT WITH BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, NEAR STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE QUIT ON INTERSTATE, SMOKE IN CABIN, COMPUTER BURNED, WIRES TO RELAY BOX OVER LEFT STRUT WORN AND SHORTED, BLOWN FUEL INJECTOR RELAY FUSES . MECHANIC SAYS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UPDATED 07/26/11 UPDATED 02/27/12 *BF *TR UPDATED 03/02/12

1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER, NO EVENT, ENGINE BURNED UP. UNDER HOOD FIRE. HAD TO REPLACE ALL COMPONENTS OR BUY A NEW ENGINE. *JB

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

(NOTICED PROBLEM END OF 2007/ BEGINNING 2008 AND AGAIN IN 2011) I HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON PATHFINDER AND IT IS ONLY DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AND IN TOWN. FIRST NOTICED WHEN DRIVING SPEEDS OVER 50 AND DURING SHIFTING ON HIGHWAY. VERY SLOPPY STEERING CONTROL, PATHFINDERS REAR SWAYING, SKIPPING AND JERKING SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS;VERY GOOD CHANCE OF FLIPPING OVER.TOOK TO DIFFERENT AUTO MECHANICS AND MOST COULD NOT FIGURE OUT ISSUE. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALL DEFECTIVE - FAILED, BROKEN, CRACKED, OR /AND WORN BUSHINGS LINKS BOTH FRONT AND REAR. I RECENTLY COMPLETELY REPLACED THE BUSHINGS AND COMPONENTS AND AFTER 6500 MILES THEY ARE BROKEN/DEFECTIVE AND THE PATHFINDER IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN. I RESEARCHED THE BUSHING ISSUES WITH THE 1996 -2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND MOST ALL PATHFINDERS OF THIS YEARS ARE HAVING THIS SERIOUS SUSPENSION-DEFECTIVE BUSHING ISSUES. THEIR HAVE BEEN MANY UNANSWERED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND IS A DEFINITE RECALL ISSUE. PROTECT THE CONSUMER. REPORT THIS. PLEASE CK INTO THIS ASAP. *TR

THE NISSAN DEALER CREATS ALL KIND OF TACTICS TO DELAY TO FIX ALL THE KNOWN PROBLEMS TO NISSAN PATHFINDER MODEL. I HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCES AND WITNESSES TO PROVE THAT THEY UNDERMINE CUSTOMER 'S TRUST. THEY DOCTORED THE PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF RECOGNIZING THEM AND FIX THEM.

WHILE ANOHTER CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO START, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND THE PASSAGER SIDEALSO DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMER'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED.