2002 Nissan Pathfinder Body & structure Problems

This relates to Campaign Number 11V244000 We are the original and only owners of the vehicle I originally brought the vehicle in for the recall and they simply sprayed some undercoating in the wheel wells. Less than a month later both strut towers separated from the body of the vehicle while my wife was driving home, she lost steering and could have had a serious or fatal accident. I towed to the dealer and they installed braces in both strut towers. I have always taken exceptional care of my vehicles, which includes multiple washes during winter months and extensive undercarriage washing every spring. This past Oct when I took the vehicle in for mandatory state inspection I was informed that the vehicle would not pass inspection next year. They told me this once before in relation to extensive rust to the passenger side rear frame next to the muffler. I was able to cut out the rust and weld a thicker plate of steel in there to repair the frame. I just changed my oil and looked for what the mechanic was referring too. This time the rust is between the braces they installed for the struts and the front of the wheel well. The mechanic saw the rust coming through the paint and poked at it with a screw driver, the screw driver went right though the body leaving significant holes in the structure that supports the struts. When the weather breaks I will further inspect to determine if there is enough good metal left for me to attempt a repair. I am doubtful a repair will be possible as the metal used to construct this vehicle is very poor quality. Despite my constant care, washing, rust conversion treatments, painting with rust blocking paint and using undercoating, every inch on the underside of the vehicle is rusted. Both rear quarters rotted behind the wheel flares and down into where the rear doors close and contact the rear quarters. Now due to Nissan's decision to use substandard metal I am forced to buy a new vehicle which is currently financially impossible

NHTSA ID

11577805

Incident

Oct 10, 2023

I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WE LOOKED AT THE FRAME UNDER THE CARS FRONT END IT IS CLUCKING THERE IS EXCESSIVE RUST, PERFORATED STEEL AND DISCONNECTED FROM OTHER PARTS VERY DANGEROUS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM SMITHTOWN NISSIAN IN 2002 I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I CALLED SMITHTOWN NISSAN THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECALLS FOR THIS BUT MY VIN# CAR IS NOT AFFECTED I READ THE RECALL NOTICE R1107 IT STATES IM HIGH SALT AREAS AND NEW YORK IS ONE OF THEM FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM . THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE.

NHTSA ID

11291453

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

118,000 mi

NISSAN REPAIRED STRUT HOUSING UNDER RECALL. THEIR " BAND-AID " OF A REPAIR IS FAILING. CONTACTED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THEY DID WHAT WAS REQUIRED. HOUSING REPAIR IS COMING APART AND BRAKE LINE PULLING AWAY. WAS TOLD BUY A NEW VEHICLE. WHY SHOULD I WHEN MINE RUNS PERFECTLY FINE. BUT NOW ITS UNSAFE. SO UNHAPPY WITH THEIR RESPONSE.

NHTSA ID

11173083

Incident

Jan 29, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

RECALL #11V244000 APPLIES TO MY ISSUE. BOTH FRONT APRONS ROTTED. CONFIMED BY MY LOCAL STS. MY VIN # IS NOT COVERED SOMEHOW. NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF CAMPAIGN. TOLD BY NISSAN DEALER I'M NOT COVERED.

NHTSA ID

11078935

Incident

Mar 13, 2018

Mileage

118,700 mi

THE FRAME ON THESE PATHFINDERS ARE RUSTING AND SHOW ROT THAT IS NOT EXCEPT ABLE OR SAFE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FRAME IS ROTTED.I BELIEVE THESE SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THE MORE I SEARCH ONLINE THE MORE I SEE OTHER OWNERS GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING.NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

11075751

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

96,000 mi

STRUT TOWER RUST DAMAGE, MY PATHFINDER STARTED HAVING THAT NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN DURING MOTION. AFTER A QUICK INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP WE REALIZED THERE WAS A BIG GAP UNDER THE STRUT TOWERS IN BOTH SIDES, AND THAT THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL, BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDES TO REPLACE THE STRUT COLUMN, JUST A CHEAP, GLUED-BOLTED STRIP OF METAL THEY CALL A BRACKET THAT DOES NOT EVEN COVERS THE GAP. THE "FIX" USED IN RECALL NHSTA ID: 11V-244 IS TOTALLY INADECUATE FOR VEHICLES IN WHICH CORROSION HAS TAKE ALL THE BASE OF THE STRUT TOWER AND THE TOWER IS ALREADY TOUCHING THE STEERING COLUMN. TO ELABORATE IMAGINE A GAP 3 INCHES HIGH AND 12 INCHES LONG; TWO OF THE 3 INCHES IN HEIGH WERE CREATED BY MATERIAL THAT RUSTED AND FELL APART AN ONLY ONE INCH IF BENT DISPLACEMENT. IF AS THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE RECALL INDICATE, THE STRUT TOWER MUST BE BENT BACK TO ORIGINAL POSITION, THE GAP WILL BE REDUCED ONLY THE ONE INCH THAT CORRESPOND TO DISPLACEMENT LEAVIN A 12 BY 2 INCHES GAP DUE TO CORROSION AND IT IS HERE, WHERE THE RECALL SOLUTION INDICATES THAT A TRIP OF STEEL SHOULD BE BOLTED/GLUED TO. THE 4-5 INCH STRIP(REPAIR BRACKET) WILL BE LAY IN CROSS POSITION PERPENDICULAR TO THE RUSTED GAP, LEAVING ABOUT 3 INCHES OF THE RUSTED GAP EXPOSED TO EACH SIDE. JUST LIKE A BAND AID STICK ACROSS A BIG WOUND. THIS IS NOT A LONG TERM FIX, THE BRACKET WILL FAIL AS WELL OR WILL DETACH FROM THE RUSTED SURFACES WHERE IT WAS INSTALLED.

NHTSA ID

11010630

Incident

Jul 25, 2017

Mileage

50,550 mi

SUB FRAME ROOTED SECOND TIME

NHTSA ID

10967068

Incident

Mar 15, 2017

Mileage

89,000 mi

BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. APPARENTLY MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN AFFECTED BY THE SAME RUST/CORROSION PROBLEM AS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED UNDER RECALL 11V244000 AND 11V244000 ALTHOUGH THESE ARE NOT LISTED WITH MY VIN. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

10911395

Incident

Sep 29, 2016

Mileage

132,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION EMERGING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS RUSTED SEVERELY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

NHTSA ID

10785649

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

Mileage

187,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10706695

Incident

Jan 14, 2015

Mileage

197,000 mi

REAR FRAME AND SUSPENSION ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR, NEAR COIL SPRING AND SHOCK MOUNT. FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN THE SECTION OF THE PATHFINDER. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRAME. CONDITION WAS FOUND WHEN MECHANIC HAD PATHFINDER UP ON LIFT, INSPECTING AS A USED CAR PURCHASE AND A FUEL SMELL AND DELIVERY ISSUE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.VEHICLE HAS 96,540 MILES ON IT. AGAIN NO OTHER RUST ON THE FRAME IN THIS AREA. WAS INSTRUCTED TO HAVE REPAIRED, BEFORE IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE AND DRIVE-ABILITY ISSUE. I DO HAVE A PHOTO OF THIS DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10663152

Incident

Dec 1, 2014

Mileage

96,540 mi

REGARDING RECALL R1107 FOR DETERIORATED CHASSIS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ON 4/2/14 PREMIUM NISSAN OF NEW ROCHELLE ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY ISSUE OF VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT MET SAFETY STANDARDS BY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION. BASICALLY THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS HELD UP WITH BONDO, WHICH IS STATED ON DEALERSHIP SERVICE ORDER. THE MESHING AND FIBERGLASS PATCH WILL NOT HOLD UP TO THE SLIGHTEST OF FRONT END OBSTRUCTION, CAUSING SEVER DAMAGE AND JUST DRIVING IT IN THE CURRENT CONDITION IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO ME, MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG GIRLS. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THE SERVICE ORDER FROM PREMIUM AND OTHER LICENSED MECHANICS THAT HAVE WORKED WITH THIS RECALL IN THE PAST, ALONG WITH PHOTOS. I AM REQUESTING A BUYBACK OFFER SIMILAR TO OTHER RELATED CASES. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10638883

Incident

Sep 2, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10432334

Incident

Sep 21, 2011

Mileage

100,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP AND MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE STRUT TOWER CAME LOOSE FROM THE WELDS IN THE WHEEL HOUSING AND PUSHED UP THE STRUT HOUSING INTO THE BRAKE CYLINDER 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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10397479

Incident

Apr 21, 2011

Mileage

152,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ACCUMULATED EXCESSIVE RUST DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF SALT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE CONTACT SHOULD DISPOSE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN BUT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FRAME RUST AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/7/11 *CN

NHTSA ID

10372110

Incident

Aug 13, 2010

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INNER WHEEL MET THE FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER BY A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RUST SHOULD NOT BE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 106,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID

10332667

Incident

May 6, 2010

Mileage

106,000 mi

I WENT TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGE AT THE GARAGE,I TOLD THE MECHANIC I COULD HEAR A HISSING NOISE FROM UNDER NEAT,LIKE A NOISE FROM THE MUFFLER.WHEN HE CHECKED HE SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SPLIT OPEN,HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER,IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POLLUTION CONTROL.WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER HE CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME ,IT WAS CALLED A TUBE OR A PIPE NOT A CATALYITIC CONVERTER NOT COVERED UNDER WARR.,BUT NISSAN SOLD A PATCH TO REPAIR THIS,AT THE TIME I HAD AROUND 44,528 MI.ON MY PATHFINDER JUST OVER THE 36,000 MI WARR.SO I CALLED NISSAN TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND TOLD THEM I WAS A LOYAL CUSTOMER AFTER BYING 3 PATHFINDER AND MY WIFE 2 MAXIMA,I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN ANYWHERE BUT SORRY.I WAS TOLD THAT A REGIONAL REP.WAS GOING TO CALL,BUT WE NEVER CONNECTED.THE SERVICE MGR.AT NISSAN TOLD ME THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST,I HOPE THIS WILL DO SOME GOOD MAYBE GET MY MONEY BACK.REPAIR WORK DONE ON 6/18/05.THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

10129385

Incident

Jun 18, 2005

Mileage

44,528 mi

MY PATHFINDER HAS MANY PROBLEMS.FIRST THE VECHLE VIRBRATES AT ALL SPEEDS,WIND NOISE FROM BOTH FRONT WINDOWS AND ROOF RACK,THERE IS ALSO A JERK WHEN YOU SHUT VECHLE OFF THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN IN 4 WHEEL AUTO THIS IS NOT 4 WHEEL FLOOR SHIFT,THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX 4 TIMES AND NOW STATES THERE IS A BULLETEN STATED THIS IS NORMAL TO GET A JERK PROBLEM RELATE TO ALL PATHFINDER AND INFINTY Q-4 FROM 1998-2002.THE VIBRATION IS STILL PRESENT TOO THE DEALER HAS BALANCED ALL FOR TIRES BUT VIBRATION IS STILL THERE ALTHOUGH IS IS NOT AS BAD,AS FOR WIND NOISE THEY SUGGESTED I BUY WIND DELFECTOR FOR BOTH WINDOWS AND ROOF

NHTSA ID

10003607

Incident

Jan 23, 2003

Mileage

300 mi