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1997 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →
217Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
91
1994170
1995159
1996217
1997149
1998104
1999112
2000
Compare all Pathfinder years →

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

What owners reported most

Suspension
105Steering
26Power Train
19Engine And Engine Cooling
17Structure
17
All reported categories
Tires
16Vehicle Speed Control
16Service Brakes, Hydraulic
14Air Bags
13Fuel System, Gasoline
7Unknown Or Other
7Seat Belts
5Electrical System
3Equipment
3Wheels
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Visibility
2Child Seat
1Fuel System, Other
1Service Brakes, Air
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 129 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 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Mar 5, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL FILLER TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V435000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL FILLER TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V435000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10450264

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

NISSAN WILL NOT HONOR VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR POSSIBLE FUEL TANK PROBLEM SEE NTB07-078 FUEL FILLER TUBE CORROSION. THE CAR EXHIBITS ALL THE SYMPTOMS (HEAVY FUEL SMELL AROUND FILLER) BUT THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT REF CASE# CREATED AT THEIR CUSTOMER CENTER 1-800-NISSAN1 FIELD REP WONT AUTHORIZE DIAGNOSTIC VISIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302084

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, I HAVE NOTICED MORE AND MORE, THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES NEAR LEFT REAR SIDE OF MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFNDER, NEAR THE FUEL CAP AREA. I HAVE ALSO BEEN GETTING A CHECK ENGINE CODE P0440. I INQUIRED WITH NISSAN ABOUT A NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V435000, IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY FUEL FILL TUBE. I WAS INFORMED TO TAKE MY VEHI…

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IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, I HAVE NOTICED MORE AND MORE, THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES NEAR LEFT REAR SIDE OF MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFNDER, NEAR THE FUEL CAP AREA. I HAVE ALSO BEEN GETTING A CHECK ENGINE CODE P0440. I INQUIRED WITH NISSAN ABOUT A NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V435000, IN REGARDS TO A FAULTY FUEL FILL TUBE. I WAS INFORMED TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY STATED MY 1997 PATHFINDER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT SINCE MY 1997 MODEL PATHFINDER WAS PRODUCED ON 11/1996, AND I AM THINKING NISSAN WILL ONLY HONOR VEHICLES LIKE MINE,,BUT ACTUALLY PRODUCED IN THE 1997 FISCAL YEAR. OBVIOUSLY, THE 1997 MODEL YEAR STARTED LATE IN 1996, LIKE MINE, AND USED THE SAME PARTS AS THOSE PRODUCED IN 1997 FISCAL YEAR. I BELIEVE, SINCE MINE IS AN ACTUAL 1997 MODEL, BUT PRODUCED IN 1996 FOR SALE AS A 1997, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INCLUDED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN. NISSAN WILL NOT DISCUSS ANY DETAILS WITH ME, EVEN THOUGH I INFORMED THEM OF THE GAS FUMES,,AND THAT MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS UNDER THE CAMPAIGN. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA, ON BEHALF OF THOSE 1997 MODEL PATHFINDERS, BUT PRODUCED IN THE FISCAL YEAR OF 1996,,BUT AS A 1997 MODEL , TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT. NISSAN OF AMERICA, REFUSED TO EXPLAIN WHY MY 1997 PATHFINDER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THIS CAMPAIGN. AGAIN, I BELIEVE THIS MAY HAVE BEEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR PROCEDURAL ERROR, IN EXCLUDING THOSE 1997 MODEL PATHFINDERS, PRODUCED PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2007. SUCH AS MINE AND OTHERS. PROPERLY, IT IS OBVIOUS THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF MISTAKE, IN NOT INCLUDING OR REPAIRING THESE 1997 MODELS IN THIS CAMPAIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212046

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

I READ FROM NHTSA A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER REGISTERED IN PENNSYLVANIA. I SENT AN INQUIRY TO NISSAN OF AMERICA, TO SEE IF I COULD BE PUT ON A LIST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. IT EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL, I.E. GAS FUME SMELL NEAR THE FUEL TANK FILLER ON OCCASIONS. I EMAILED NISSAN TWICE,,AND …

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I READ FROM NHTSA A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER REGISTERED IN PENNSYLVANIA. I SENT AN INQUIRY TO NISSAN OF AMERICA, TO SEE IF I COULD BE PUT ON A LIST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. IT EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL, I.E. GAS FUME SMELL NEAR THE FUEL TANK FILLER ON OCCASIONS. I EMAILED NISSAN TWICE,,AND THEY DENY THERE ARE ANY RECALLS OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE NHTSA #07V435000 RECALL ON MY 1997 PATHFINDER..THIS IS CONFUSING,,AND I INQUIRED A SECOND TIME..STILL THEY DENY ANY RECALLS CURRENT OR TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209190

91,000 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CAR WOULD START AT HIGH ALTITUDE AND COLD TEMPERATURES AGAIN. SECOND TIME THIS WINTER. A SUV IS DESIGNED TO GO INTO THESE CONDITIONS. FOR THE CAR TO FAIL IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058290

90,000 miles · Feb 16, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

AT HIGH ALTITUDES OR COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE EFI'S FUEL PUMP FUSE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT, THEN THE CAR WILL START. THEN THE FUSE CAN BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO FUNCTION AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058289

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE WILL NOT START AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND COLD OUTSIDE AIR TEMPS. POTENTIALLY SERIOUS IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ISOLATED AREA AND DRIVER IS STRANDED. IT'S LUDICROUS TO MAKE A 4X4 FOR THAT CAN GET YOU TO PLACES FROM WHICH YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN. IT'S HIGHLY CONCEIVABLE YOU COULD HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN YOUR CAR DURING A N…

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ENGINE WILL NOT START AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND COLD OUTSIDE AIR TEMPS. POTENTIALLY SERIOUS IF VEHICLE IS IN AN ISOLATED AREA AND DRIVER IS STRANDED. IT'S LUDICROUS TO MAKE A 4X4 FOR THAT CAN GET YOU TO PLACES FROM WHICH YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN. IT'S HIGHLY CONCEIVABLE YOU COULD HAVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN YOUR CAR DURING A NASTY WINTER STORM IF YOU WENT SNOWSHOEING FOR THE DAY AND WERE UNABLE TO START THE CAR UPON YOUR RETURN. I AM TOLD NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT FIGHTS CUSTOMERS TOOTH AND NAIL TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741919

Official recalls

2

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.

07V435000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 18, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

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.