RoadVitals

2001 Nissan Pathfinder Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
35
Latest Aug 11, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
15%
of 230 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 35 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 35, in the owner's own words

SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact was attempting to use her brakes to slow for traffic and was unable to stop. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to get the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that prior to the failure her ABS warning had been illuminated for a long period of time prior to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to a significant amount of rust, the front suspension and struts and brake pads, and rotors had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering and Suspension). The work had been previously completed by a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ID
11478841
Incident
Jul 18, 2022
Mileage
142,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 12, 2020

FAMILY CAR;2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WE GOT IN THE TRUCK AND DROVE ABOUT 250 FEET TO THE STOP SIGN. I STOP. AS I STARTED MOVING AND SUDDENLY I HEAR A POP LOUD SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND MY STEERING GOT HARD AND DIFFICULT TO STEER AND A GRINDING SOUND AS YOU TURN THE STEERING. DROVE BACK TO THE HOUSE SLOW AND PARK. OPEN THE HOOD AND I SEE THE STRUT TOWER UNDER NEATH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, THEN I LOOK BETWEEN LEFT SIDE (DRIVERS) TIRE THE STRUT TOWER JUST RIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WELD. MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCUR. WHAT IF THIS OCCUR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 106523 MILES AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR A PA INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
11348789
Incident
Aug 11, 2020
Mileage
106,523 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALSER NISSAN WAYZATA (612-426-6995, LOCATED AT 15906 WAYZATA BLVD, WAYZATA, MN 55391) VIA THE AFTER HOUR SERVICE. THE CONTACT LEFT A MESSAGE FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REPORT. THE CONTACT WENT ON A VACATION. OVERNIGHT, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEALER CALLED THE CONTACT AND INFORMED HIM TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE PREMISES BEFORE 8AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS OUT OF TOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT BY THE DEALER. FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000. The contact is requesting a call back from a NHTSA Supervisor or Administrator.

NHTSA ID
11231413
Incident
Jun 28, 2019
Mileage
187,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STRUCTURE) AND REPAIRED IN 2015. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A U-TURN AND THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD AND RAN INTO A CURB. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE AND ALIGN THE VEHICLE AGAINST THE CURB, ALTHOUGH THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SCENE. KLINE NISSAN (3090 HWY 61 N, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (877) 284-5230) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECURRING FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11228822
Incident
Jun 30, 2019
Steering
Filed Jul 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FRACTURED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND SENT THEM TO KLINE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 3090 HWY 31 N, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (877) 284-5230). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID
11228817
Incident
Jun 30, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 18, 2019

DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WERE THE TRUCK WILL PASS VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THERE WAS A RECALL PERFORMED BY SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY NISSAN FOR THE RUST ISSUE ON BOTH INNER WHEEL WELLS AND STRUT TOWER AREA.

NHTSA ID
11197090
Incident
Apr 15, 2019
Mileage
166,400 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 25, 2019

THE SUB-FRAME/CRADLE 54400-0W00 ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ROTTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT IT WILL NOT PASS A PA STATE INSPECTION. THIS WAS FOUND BY MY MECHANIC WHILE HE WAS REPLACING THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES. MY MECHANIC HAS ORDERED A NEW SUB FRAME + BOLTS TO REPLACE THE ROTTED OUT SUB-FRAME. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER SUB-FRAMES ARE ROTTED OUT ON PATHFINDERS FROM 1996 TO 2004 WHICH IS WHEN NISSAN USED THIS PARTICULAR PART. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS PART FAILS COMPLETELY WHAT WILL HAPPEN??? I HAVE RESTRICTED DRIVING MY PATHFINDER UNTIL THE NEW PART IS INSTALLED. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILS AND IT WILL SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR EVEN KILLED? THE CONTROL ARMS MOUNTED TO THIS PART WHICH CONTROLS STEERING. THIS PART PLUS LABOR WILL COST ME ABOUT $1500.00.

NHTSA ID
11191510
Incident
Mar 25, 2019
Mileage
164,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 3, 2018

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAITING TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURN; ATTEMPTING TO TURN RESULTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL SPINNING FREELY; VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED; INITIAL INSPECTION REVEALED STEERING COLUMN SHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF; UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER HAD RIPPED AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE TRUCK; **THIS VEHICLE HAD RECALLS ISSUED IN THE PAST, IT WAS TAKEN TO LECKNER NISSAN IN STAFFORD, VA BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT MITIGATE THE PROBLEM - THEY SIMPLY CLEARED THE RECALL FROM THE COMPUTER**

NHTSA ID
11124083
Incident
Aug 26, 2018
Mileage
113,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 22, 2018

THE 01 THRU 04 PATHFINDER HAS SOME KIND OF REAR SUSPENSION FLAW. THE ONLINE FORUMS CALL IT A DEATH SWAY AND I AGREE. IT IS BEYOND ME WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. IF YOU HAVE SOMETIME I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOU ON A RIDE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOMETHING WOULD GET DONE AFTER RIDING WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANKS

NHTSA ID
11103436
Incident
Jan 11, 2016
Mileage
175,000 mi
Body & structureFuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 18, 2018

1. FEET HOLDER IS BROKEN . 2. STEERING IS LOSE THAT'S WHY SOMETIMES CAR DOESN'T START UNTIL YOU TRY TO MOVE THE GEAR OF STEERING . 3. PRESSING GAS PADDLE MAKE TOO MUCH NOISE AND VERY SLOW PICK UP .

NHTSA ID
11073512
Incident
Dec 12, 2017
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED A CREAKING SOUND ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10970341
Incident
Mar 3, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, WHICH PROGRESSED RANDOMLY AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE STRUT TOWERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZING AND MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). ONE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH RUST AND CORROSION TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR WEEKS LATER FROM A SECOND DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10807713
Incident
Oct 23, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 17, 2015

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOT LOOSE AND UNRESPONSIVE. CAR STARTED TO SWERVE ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC SO IT WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. FRAME STRUT COVER CAME LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION AND BROKE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA ID
10725811
Incident
Jun 8, 2015
Mileage
218,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 23, 2015

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. WE DID NOT GO OVER 40 ON THE TEST DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY ONCE WE APPROACHED 55 MPH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH. WE DECIDED TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND TONS OF COMPLAINTS WERE CITED ABOUT THE SAME"DEATH WOBBLE" ISSUE. WE HAD DONE AND ALIGNMENT, ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES AND IT HELPED SLIGHTLY BUT THE WOBBLE IS STILL THERE. IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BUSHINGS AND /OR CONTROL ARMS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS? WE HAVE NOT PRICED IT OUT BUT SEEMS TO BE A COSTLY FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10701094
Incident
Mar 8, 2015
Mileage
209,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 20, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND BECAME STIFF WHEN TURNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10648948
Incident
Oct 13, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 22, 2014
Crash reported

MY CAR WAS PARKED OUT IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE BY THE MAIL BOX, WHEN SOME GUY BACKED UP INTO MY CAR PUSHING IT ABOUT 4 FT BACK. DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER, HOOD, AND WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL USED TO BE STRAIGHT NOW ITS TURNED HALF WAYS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH I ONLY WENT AROUND THE BLOCK CAUSE I GOT TOO SCARED. BUT APPARENTLY DRIVER HAS NO INSURANCE AND HES ON DISABILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627370
Incident
Jul 4, 2014
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE ON THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING AND THERE WAS CORROSION PRESENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V244000 (STEERING , SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE PRESENT HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE ANY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ID
10620692
Incident
Aug 6, 2014
Mileage
185,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2014

EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE SPEED OF 60 MPH WAS REACHED. BETWEEN 60 AND 65 STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHIMMING, ABOVE 67 MPH SHIMMING EASED UP. THERE IS 4 NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WITH ELECTRONIC BALANCING. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 20013 AND NEVER DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNTIL THE DATE IN QUESTION, 5/27/14. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER OWNERS OF THE PATHFINDER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607101
Incident
Jun 5, 2014
Mileage
129,583 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 16, 2014

I WAS ON THE FRWY. AND MY NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO WOBBLE LIKE, IT WAS GOING TO FLIP OVER. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60-65 AND WAS HEADED IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND THE WOBBLE SEEMED TO GO AWAY. I WAS ON THE FRWY. SO I SPED UP TO THE LEGAL LIMIT, AND NOW I'M GOING AROUND A CURVE AND, THE WOBBLE WAS INTENSE , IT SCARED ME TO DEATH. SINCE, I HAVE HAD THE STRUTS, SHOCKS REPLACED TWICE. I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS WOBBLE...IT IS CALLED THE DEATH WOBBLE...IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MATERIALS USED MAKING, THE BUSHINGS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. EVEN WHEN THESE BUSHINGS (THE SAME MATERIAL BUSHINGS) ARE REPLACED IT CAN AND WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND ME WHEN THIS WOBBLE STARTS... THEY CANNOT GET AWAY FROM ME FAST ENOUGH. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ESPECIALLY, MOST MECHANICS DO PROCESS OF ELIMINATION, STARTING WITH SHOCKS, TIRES, STRUTS, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS, REAR ARM ASSEMBLY,BALL JOINTS AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEED I SAY MORE. ON ASK.COM, THE DEATH WOBBLE IS WELL KNOWN. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS THE SECOND PATHFINDER I HAVE OWNED , I PURCHASE NISSAN PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD FOR 2 TO 300K. I LOVE MY PATHFINDER , BUT I DON'T WANT TO DIE IN IT OR HAVE AN ACCIDENT, KILLING ANYBODY . THE BUSHINGS NEED TO BE MADE OF SOME OTHER MATERIAL SO THAT THIS WILL QUIT HAPPENING. WHEN ALL IS STABLE, IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10572655
Incident
Mar 3, 2010
Mileage
72,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 12, 2014

WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS (40-65 MPH), IF ROAD IS BUMPY, OR UNEVEN, THE TRUCK BEGINS TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. YOU HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY LET OFF OF THE GAS TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL. IT'S GETTING WORSE, AND FEELS UNSAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE, UNLESS I SLOW DOWN AND GET THE WOBBLE UNDER CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568827
Incident
Nov 1, 2013
Mileage
280,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 8, 2014

I JUST BOUGHT THE 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER 1 WEEK PRIOR FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH I HIT A VERY LARGE POT HOLE, COMMON IN MN. I HEARD A EXTRA LOUD BANG COME FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND PULLED OVER INSTANTLY, UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE TIRE AND WHEEL WELL WERE ALMOST IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER I COULDN'T SEE WHAT HAD BROKE, BEING THAT IT WAS A PITCH BLACK NIGHT. SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE UP AND RAN DIRECTLY TO MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW STRUTS SHOCKS AND CV AXLES I AGREED WITH HIS BID AND HE BEGAN WORK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SHOCKS, STRUTS, CV AXLE. NEXT HE DOES THE DRIVER SIDE AND NOTICES THAT STRUT IS NOT STAYING IN PLACE, FINISHES THE JOB CALLS ME AND SAYS THE JOB IS COMPLETE BUT HE NEEDS TO TALK, I GET TO THE MECHANICS AND HE HANDS ME A BILL FOR $830 AND SHOWS ME THAT THE STRUT HOUSING ON DRIVERS SIDE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS COVERED BY THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567893
Incident
Mar 6, 2014
Mileage
165,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 22, 2014

MY CAR BODY STRUCTURE WAS BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES, AND IT IS NOT OPERABLE. THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE STRUT TOWER ON MY 2001 PATHFINDER WAS 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 NOT ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE FRAME BODY STRUCTURE. IT CAUSED ALSO DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. BEFORE MY CAR GOT BROKEN, I HEARD A NOISE FROM ITS RIGHT SIDE AND I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY, FOR A SECOND I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEEL MY CAR, BUT I KEPT IT STEADY UNTIL I COULD GET THE NEXT EXIT. I COULD HAVE SUFFERED A FATAL ACCIDENT THAT DAY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR FRAME/BODY STRUCTURE CORROSION FOR THIS MODEL 2001 PATHFINDER REGISTERED IN NEW JERSEY. AS SOON I WAS AWARE ABOUT IT, I CALLED TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION. ONE OF THE NISSAN REPRESS. ADVISED ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AVENEL NJ. MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, SO I CALLED TO THE TOWING TRUCK TO PICK AND DROP IT OFF TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DEC 26, 2013. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE FROM NISSAN TO HELP ME WITH MY SITUATION. EACH TIME I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE, THEY SAID THAT MY CASE IS STILL IN PROCESS, AND I NEED TO WAIT FOR A DECISION. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT, I HAVE BEEN IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION DRIVEN MY CAR IN THAT MATTER. I NEED A CAR TO GO TO WORK FOR MY LIVELIHOOD AND ALSO TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO THEIR SCHOOL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A CAR RENTAL. AND AFTER ALL OF THESE, NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE ANY SENSE OF COOPERATION. I REQUESTED THEM TO HELP ME WITH A PROVISIONAL CAR TO KEEP MY LIFE STYLE ON, BUT THEY DENIED IT. I NEED HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT NHTSA TO MAKE NISSAN TAKE CARE ABOUT THIS RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560913
Incident
Dec 20, 2013
Mileage
122,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 26, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STRUT HOUSING HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10545578
Incident
Sep 5, 2013
Mileage
82,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 22, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM WHEN THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS HOLES IN THE STRUT HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER ASKED FOR TWO DAYS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TWO HOURS LATER. THEY STATED THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE STRUT TOWER. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER NOTICED DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER;S SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, WHERE THEY STATED THEY COULD PERFORM A SECOND RECALL, BUT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT NISSAN TO RECEIVE PERMISSION. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS, STATING THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PERFORM A SECOND RECALL AND COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THEY DID NOT GIVE THE CONSUMER AN EXPLANATION. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO PICK UP HIS VEHICLE, HE WAS INFORMED, IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. UPDATED 06/06/13

NHTSA ID
10499685
Incident
Jan 9, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2012

EXCESSIVE RUST, CORROSION AND HOLES IN SUB FRAME OF 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM CONNECTS TO THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO EXCESSIVE RUST IN WHOLE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. DID HAVE VEHICLE RECALL ID # 88860 - SUSPENSION:FRONT ADDRESSED HOWEVER NISSAN DID NOT ADDRESS EXCESSIVE RUST AND HOLE ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE NEAR AREA WHERE CONTROL ARM CONNECTS TO SUB FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10473601
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi

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