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1996 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →
159Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
49
199391
1994170
1995159
1996217
1997149
1998104
1999
Compare all Pathfinder years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Suspension
64Steering
24Engine And Engine Cooling
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
14Tires
13
All reported categories
Power Train
12Air Bags
11Electrical System
11Structure
11Seat Belts
6Vehicle Speed Control
5Wheels
3Electronic Stability Control
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Exterior Lighting
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Unknown Or Other
2Equipment
1Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

53 reports with mileage · 106 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports0 fire reports16 injury reports

Suspension complaints

64 reports
Clear category filter
160,000 miles · Dec 6, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT), THE STRUT HOUSING STARTED TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT), THE STRUT HOUSING STARTED TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE STRUT HOUSING. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUT HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL DUE TO RUST. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR BOTH STRUT HOUSINGS AND/OR BUY BACK THE VEHICLE BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONFIRMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438724

100,000 miles · Oct 10, 2011
Suspension

THE AXLE HAS HEAVY TWIST ROCK SWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SHAKES VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE VERY CONSTANT I FEEL LIKE WE COULD CRASH AT ANY MOMENT THIS IS HAPPENING HAVE TRIED TO OBTAIN PART ONLINE AND IN PART STORE I CAN'T AFFORD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP IT IS 700 TO 1400 DOLLARS I FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALER AKA RECALL MAYBE M…

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THE AXLE HAS HEAVY TWIST ROCK SWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SHAKES VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE VERY CONSTANT I FEEL LIKE WE COULD CRASH AT ANY MOMENT THIS IS HAPPENING HAVE TRIED TO OBTAIN PART ONLINE AND IN PART STORE I CAN'T AFFORD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP IT IS 700 TO 1400 DOLLARS I FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALER AKA RECALL MAYBE MY FAMILY WILL BE THE ONE TO PARISH DUE TO THIS FAULTY PART THEN IT WILL BE A RECALL. HOPE NOT. I CAN'T JUST GO GET A NEW CAR THIS IS MY VEHICLE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER WE AS A NISSAN FAMILY HAVE A 1996 PATHFINDER ALSO WITH THE SAME ISSUE PLEASE CHANGE THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED IF I HAVE 2 PATHFINDERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I SEE ON AVERAGE 20 TO 30 OF THE SAME MODELS DAILY. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429267

166,000 miles · Sep 15, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 166,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425548

110,000 miles · Aug 5, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH OR THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO EXCESSIVE SHAKING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE, BUSHINGS, AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH OR THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO EXCESSIVE SHAKING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE, BUSHINGS, AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10417692

224,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Suspension

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, EVER…

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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!!!

NHTSA ODI #10400070

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2011
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR CONDITIONS ON SMOOTH PAYMENT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SWAYING AND WOBBLING IN A SEVERE MANNER, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PATHFINDER. AS I WAS NOT IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD SAFELY STOP, I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE S…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR CONDITIONS ON SMOOTH PAYMENT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SWAYING AND WOBBLING IN A SEVERE MANNER, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PATHFINDER. AS I WAS NOT IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD SAFELY STOP, I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE SOME DISTANCE AND THE SWAYING AND WOBBLING CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND AM DISMAYED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AS THIS IS A HIDDEN DEFECT. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SHOWED HIM MY FINDINGS FROM MY RESEARCH, AND CONFIRMED THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379998

110,000 miles · Jan 5, 2011
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING MY 96 NISSAN PATHFINDER, I'VE NOTICED THAT AFTER 30 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE STARTS TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND REDUCE THE SPEED FOR THE VEHICLE TO EVENTUALLY STOP THE SWAYING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THEIR PROBLEM BUT YET DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE A PRIORITY AND …

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WHILE DRIVING MY 96 NISSAN PATHFINDER, I'VE NOTICED THAT AFTER 30 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE STARTS TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND REDUCE THE SPEED FOR THE VEHICLE TO EVENTUALLY STOP THE SWAYING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THEIR PROBLEM BUT YET DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE A PRIORITY AND RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEMS. I CAN NO LONGER PICKUP MY GRANDSON AT DAYCARE BECAUSE WE'RE AFRAID THAT THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. SO BASICALLY I CAN ONLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITHIN TOWN LIMITS WHILE DRIVING AS IF I WAS AN ELDERLY PERSON, AND REFRAINING FROM USING MY VEHICLE. IN TRYING TO FIND THE PARTS IN AFTERMARKET SOURCES, BECAUSE MY MECHANIC CAN ONLY FIND THEM DIRECTLY FROM NISSAN DEALER WHICH ARE ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH IN PRICE, I'VE NOTICED THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEREFORE CONTROL THE BUYING MARKET, SO CUSTOMERS TO SPEND MORE MONEY THAN NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY IN THESE HARD ECONOMIC TIMES WHEN MILLIONS INCLUDING MYSELF ARE UNEMPLOYED AND BARELY MAKING IT! NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS ISSUE, HOW MANY FATALITIES WILL IT TAKE BEFORE THEY ACT ON THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374836

123,183 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR CONDITIONS ON SMOOTH PAYMENT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SWAYING AND WOBBLING IN A SEVERE MANNER, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PATHFINDER. AS I WAS NOT IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD SAFELY STOP, I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR CONDITIONS ON SMOOTH PAYMENT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SWAYING AND WOBBLING IN A SEVERE MANNER, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PATHFINDER. AS I WAS NOT IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD SAFELY STOP, I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE SOME DISTANCE AND THE SWAYING AND WOBBLING CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND AM DISMAYED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AS THIS IS A HIDDEN DEFECT. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SHOWED HIM MY FINDINGS FROM MY RESEARCH, AND CONFIRMED THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347481

131,100 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Suspension

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS INHERENT REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY FROM THE REAR WITHOUT ANY ACTION BY THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM IS POOR DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER RESULTING IN A VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETIMES UNCONTROLLABLE DRIVING SITUATION. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345594

220,000 miles · Jul 4, 2010
Suspension

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS WOBBLE FROM THE REAR OF MY PATHFINDER AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH. IT IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL IF I DO NOT REDUCE MY SPEED WHICH CAN BE A HAZARD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341396

Official recalls

3

11V244000 · Steering:column; Suspension:front

Apr 20, 2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Steering:column

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

96V031000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Feb 22, 1996

DUE TO THE THICKNESS OF THE CARPET PADDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL, THE SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL COULD CATCH A DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD INHIBIT A DRIVER FROM APPLYING THE BRAKES, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CARPET PADDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL ADJACENT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

96V034000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Feb 22, 1996

DUE TO THE TYPE OF LUBRICANT USED IN THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY, THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (LESS THAN -30 C) COULD INCREASE TO THE POINT WHERE SOME DRIVERS WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE WHEEL, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE REPLACING THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY HAVING DIFFERENT LUBRICANT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11004 · Frame/body Structure Corrosion

Opened Jan 28, 2011 · Closed Jun 30, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:macpherson Strut; Suspension:front:shock Absorber

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Steering:column

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Steering

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front:macpherson Strut

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front:shock Absorber

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.