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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 →

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

What owners actually said

159 reports
210,000 miles · Dec 5, 2013
SteeringStructure

BROUGHT MY PATHFINDER TO STAR NISSAN FOR THE CORROSION RECALL, I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS TOO FAR GONE TO REPAIR AND THEY SAID THAT A RENTAL CAR WOULD BE PROVIDED TO ME, "AT NO COST" WHILE COMPENSATION FOR VEHICLE WAS BEING PROCESSED. I AGREED TO THIS, AT THE RENTAL CAR LOCATION I WAS INFORMED THAT NISSAN WILL COVER RENTAL BUT N…

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BROUGHT MY PATHFINDER TO STAR NISSAN FOR THE CORROSION RECALL, I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS TOO FAR GONE TO REPAIR AND THEY SAID THAT A RENTAL CAR WOULD BE PROVIDED TO ME, "AT NO COST" WHILE COMPENSATION FOR VEHICLE WAS BEING PROCESSED. I AGREED TO THIS, AT THE RENTAL CAR LOCATION I WAS INFORMED THAT NISSAN WILL COVER RENTAL BUT NOT INSURANCE, I HAVE STATE REQUIRED LIABILITY BUT NOT THEFT AND COLLISION AS THE CAR IS A 1996 WITH 210000 MILES ON IT AND THE PREMIUM OUT WEIGHT THE VALUE OF THE CAR. SO I HAD TO AGREE TO THE COLLISION AND FIR, THEFT INSURANCE OF $9 A DAY. NOW NISSAN SAYS THEY WILL NOT PAY THE $9 A DAY "SUPPLEMENTAL" INSURANCE. I CLAIM THIS INSURANCE IS NOT ""SUPPLEMENT" BUT MANDATED AS THE RENTAL WAS A NEW CAR AND IF STOLEN I, NOT NISSAN WOULD BE HELD LIABLE I WOULD LIKE, NO DEMAND PAYMENT FOR THE INSURANCE I HAVE PAID TO COVER, "THERE " NOT MY RENTAL. IF I HAD RENTED THIS CAR MY CREDIT CARD WOULD HAVE COVERED ALL INSURANCE BUT SINCE, NISSAN WAS THE RENTER MY CREDIT CARD DOES NOT COVER THE THEFT AND COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554992

138,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HOUSING AND STRUTS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION HOUSING AND STRUTS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10550954

157,000 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

NHTSA ODI #10535316

148,599 miles · Jul 4, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO,ON JULY 2ND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CAME UPON A FEW SLIGHT ROUGH SPOTS IN THE ROAD,THIS SUDDENLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY,AS IF SOMEONE WAY ROCKING A BOAT OF JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH,AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES IT STOPPED FOR A BI…

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I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO,ON JULY 2ND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CAME UPON A FEW SLIGHT ROUGH SPOTS IN THE ROAD,THIS SUDDENLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY,AS IF SOMEONE WAY ROCKING A BOAT OF JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH,AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES IT STOPPED FOR A BIT UNTIL MORE ROUGH SPOTS IN THE ROAD OR IF SPEEDING UP OR SLOWING DOWN CAUSED THE SAME PROBLEM,I HAD MY GRAND KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT AT THE TIME,IT SCARED US ALL TO PIECES,BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE I NEED IT,HAS NISSAN CALLED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? I'M SEEING MANY,MANY MORE PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE AS MINE? THIS IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY A PROFESSIONAL NISSAN MECHANIC,I NEED INSTRUCTION'S ON HOW TO GO ABOUT RECTIFYING THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523182

193,000 miles · Jan 31, 2013
Power TrainSuspension

I WAS DRIVING MY 96 NISSAN PATHFINDER STRAIGHT ON A 30MPH ROAD WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELRATOR AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY, SHAKE AND TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE REAR AXLE WAS TWISTING SEPERATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS MOTION OF ROCKING A SWAYING THEN STARTED EVERY TIME I WOULD STEP ON OR LET OFF OF THE GAS …

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I WAS DRIVING MY 96 NISSAN PATHFINDER STRAIGHT ON A 30MPH ROAD WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELRATOR AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY, SHAKE AND TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS IF THE REAR AXLE WAS TWISTING SEPERATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS MOTION OF ROCKING A SWAYING THEN STARTED EVERY TIME I WOULD STEP ON OR LET OFF OF THE GAS AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT UP OR DOWN A GEAR. I THEN STARTED TO HEAR A POPING NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL WHEN I WOULD TURN A CORNER. I HAVE HAD THIS PATHFINDER INTO THE MECHANIC MULTIPE TIMES ALREADY WITH ISSUES DUE TO NISSANS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. I WOULD NOT RECOMEND A NISSAN PRODUCT TO ANYONE. I HAVE ALREADY COMPLAINED TO NISSAN AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS FROM THEIR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. WHERE ARE THE RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE? DO NOT BUY A NISSAN!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495349

109,000 miles · Oct 3, 2012
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 MPH VEHICLE WENT INTO VIOLENT BODY ROLLING AND SHIMMY CAUSING DRIVER TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL. BODY WAS ROLLING SEVERELY, AS IF STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING ROCKED BACK AND FORTH, HOWEVER STEERING WHEEL WAS STEADY. UNABLE TO STOP BODY ROLL UNTIL BRAKES APPLIED. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY DAMAGE AT…

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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 MPH VEHICLE WENT INTO VIOLENT BODY ROLLING AND SHIMMY CAUSING DRIVER TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL. BODY WAS ROLLING SEVERELY, AS IF STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING ROCKED BACK AND FORTH, HOWEVER STEERING WHEEL WAS STEADY. UNABLE TO STOP BODY ROLL UNTIL BRAKES APPLIED. UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY DAMAGE AT TIME IF EVENT, BUT HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES DURING TRIP. UPON DETAILED INSPECTION, REAR TIRES SHOWED SEVERE SCUFFING ON OUTSIDE OF TIRES AND IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH REAR AXLE LINKS BASED ON SOME INTERNET RESEARCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478531

140,000 miles · Feb 18, 2012
Suspension

OUR 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO WOBBLE VIOLENTLY -- THE SO-CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT '96-'97 PATHFINDERS ARE NOW KNOWN FOR -- AROUND 140,000 MILES. THE WOBBLE WAS MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS (>50 MPH) BUT ALSO OCCURRED AT LOWER SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY WHEN CORNERING, ENCOUNTERING MINOR ROAD DEFECTS OR WHEN IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE.…

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OUR 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER STARTED TO WOBBLE VIOLENTLY -- THE SO-CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" THAT '96-'97 PATHFINDERS ARE NOW KNOWN FOR -- AROUND 140,000 MILES. THE WOBBLE WAS MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS (>50 MPH) BUT ALSO OCCURRED AT LOWER SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY WHEN CORNERING, ENCOUNTERING MINOR ROAD DEFECTS OR WHEN IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE WOBBLE WAS PARTICULARLY SEVERE IF THERE WERE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT AND/OR WHEN THERE WAS ADDITIONAL WEIGHT IN THE FAR BACK. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VIOLENT WOBBLING OR ITS SEVERITY WAS TO REDUCE SPEED IMMEDIATELY. REPLACING THE TIRES AND STRUTS, AND INSTALLING HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS DID LITTLE TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE VIOLENT ROCKING WAS REMINISCENT OF A BLOW OUT AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS FAILED TO CONDUCT A RECALL OR PROVIDE ADEQUATE REDRESS. SINCE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, WE WILL BE TAKING IT TO OUR LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIRS AT OUR EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #10448749

172 miles · Dec 22, 2011
SteeringCrashInjury

ON SEPTEMBER 4TH 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 96' NISSAN PATHFINDER AT APPROX. 30MPH. I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND WAS COMING OUT OF THE TURN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL REPEATEDLY JERKED FROM SIDE TO SIDE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY FLIPPED ROLLING INTO A CAR DEALERSHIP AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO 2 USED VEHICLES ON THE…

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ON SEPTEMBER 4TH 2011, I WAS DRIVING MY 96' NISSAN PATHFINDER AT APPROX. 30MPH. I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AND WAS COMING OUT OF THE TURN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL REPEATEDLY JERKED FROM SIDE TO SIDE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY FLIPPED ROLLING INTO A CAR DEALERSHIP AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO 2 USED VEHICLES ON THE LOT BEFORE LANDING ON ITS TOP AND SPINNING AROUND. LUCKILY, I ONLY SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES SUCH AS CUTS BRUISES AND MUSCLE STRAIN RESULTING FROM BROKEN GLASS, SEAT BELT PRESSURE, LOOSE OBJECTS FLYING THROUGH THE VEHICLE AND THE JOSTLING AS THE VEHICLE MADE ITS JOURNEY. I WAS CHARGED WITH REASONABLE CONTROL AND THE ACCIDENT WAS BRUSHED OFF DUE TO MY AGE (19) AND BEING AN 'INEXPERIENCED DRIVER' EVEN THOUGH I EXPLAINED TO EVERYONE THAT THE STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE 'A MIND IF ITS OWN'. I AM NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE 2 VEHICLES ON THE CAR LOT. AFTER HAVING MY VEHICLE TOWED, THE OWNER OF THE TOWING COMPANY URGED ME TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE SUV. I SENT IT TO THE RECYCLERS AS I HAD NO OTHER IDEAS ON WHAT TO DO WITH IT AT THIS POINT. I AM NOW READING STORIES OF OTHER ISSUES WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES AS WELL AS SEEING NOTICE OF A RECALL IN THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING. I DO LIVE IN A STATE THAT WAS PART OF THE RECALL BUT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM PRIOR TO MY ACCIDENT. I HAD ALSO JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (MY 1ST) IN JULY 2011. I AM PREPARING TO INVESTIGATE THE WHERE ABOUTS OF THE PATHFINDER, HOPING IT IS STILL AT THE JUNK YARD AND HOPEFULLY HAVE MY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATED FURTHER SEEKING COMPENSATION. I HOPE THAT OTHERS WILL READ THIS AND SHARE THEIR STORIES AS WELL. I ALSO FEEL THAT IT TOOK ENTIRELY TOO LONG TO ISSUE A RECALL, IF IT HAD BEEN SOONER, IT WOULD HAVE SAVED ME SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. I AM JUST LUCKY IT DIDN'T COST ME MY LIFE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440935

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

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.