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1998 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →
149Owner complaints

Model-year median: 97

2Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
170
1995159
1996217
1997149
1998104
1999112
2000230
2001
Compare all Pathfinder years →

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

What owners reported most

Suspension
47Power Train
20Vehicle Speed Control
16Structure
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
13
All reported categories
Steering
11Air Bags
10Fuel System, Gasoline
9Tires
9Engine And Engine Cooling
6Unknown Or Other
6Electrical System
5Fuel/propulsion System
3Seat Belts
3Equipment
2Service Brakes
2Visibility
2Wheels
2Child Seat
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

71 reports with mileage · 78 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 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports1 fire reports14 injury reports

Steering complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2017
SteeringStructureSuspension

I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO ALMOST BE COMPLETLY GONE FROM RUSTING OUT. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT. SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE. IM CALLIN…

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I CANT EVEN DRIVE DOWN THE STREET OVER 40 WITHOUT THE VEHCLE DOING A DEATH SHAKE FROM HELL TO TOP THAT OFF DUE TO THE RECALL FOR THE STRUT PLACEMENT ERROR CAUSING MY STRUT TOWER WALL DIRECTLY BEHIND MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO ALMOST BE COMPLETLY GONE FROM RUSTING OUT. THIS IS TOTAL BULLSHIT. SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE. IM CALLING CORPORATE IN THE MORNING. HOPEFULLY THEY DONT TRY TO BEAT AROUND BUSH WITH ME LIKE THEY DO TO ALL THERE CUSTOMERS THEY DO WRONG.

NHTSA ODI #11033497

176,548 miles · May 2, 2017
Air BagsSteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH OR THE POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,548.

NHTSA ODI #10983055

150,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
SteeringSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND SUV STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE SEVERELY..I HAD TO BRAKE FAST ..THEN WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOBBLED WORSE...I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL...COULD NOT GO OVER 30...VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY...I LOOKED IT UP ON FORUMS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM....EVERYBODY THAT OWNS THEM HAS …

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DRIVING DOWN THE HWY AND SUV STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SIDE TO SIDE SEVERELY..I HAD TO BRAKE FAST ..THEN WHEN I ACCELERATED IT WOBBLED WORSE...I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO ROLL...COULD NOT GO OVER 30...VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY...I LOOKED IT UP ON FORUMS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM....EVERYBODY THAT OWNS THEM HAS HAD THIS EXPERIENCE AT ALL DIFFERENT MILEAGES..THEY REFER TO IT AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE" ONLINE...MILLIONS OF VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM FAULTY BUSHINGS AND TRAILING ARMS....YET THEY "NISSAN" REFUSE TO RECALL OR PAY TO FIX IT...HERE IS "NISSANS" BULLETIN I FOUND AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE....THEY SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL...I HOPE THAT THIS GETS SOME ATTENTION BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION: RA97-002 REFERENCE: NTB98-001 DATE: APRIL 1, 1998 PATHFINDER VEHICLE PULL AND FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION EXCESSIVE PLAY APPLIED VEHICLE: 1996-98 PATHFINDER (R50) APPLIED VIN: VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE JN8AR05Y*WW256932 SERVICE INFORMATION IF A 1996-98 PATHFINDER EXHIBITS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS, THE CAUSE MAY BE FROM WORN BUSHING(S) IN THE REAR SUSPENSION UPPER AND/OR LOWER LINKS. * EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE REAR AXLE ESPECIALLY DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. * VEHICLE PULLING AT A CONSTANT SPEED * EXCESSIVE SWAY AND ROCKING MOTION IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712557

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MORLEY VEHICLE SERVICES (HEREINAFTER "MVS") & NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. (HEREINAFTER "NNAI") IMPROPERLY HANDLING A RECENT RECALL ON HIS 1998 NISAN PATHFINDER (HEREINAFTER "VEHICLE"). 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WE DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO AUTONATION NISSAN ARAPAHOE (HEREINAFTER "AN") ON MARCH 7, 2014…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING MORLEY VEHICLE SERVICES (HEREINAFTER "MVS") & NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. (HEREINAFTER "NNAI") IMPROPERLY HANDLING A RECENT RECALL ON HIS 1998 NISAN PATHFINDER (HEREINAFTER "VEHICLE"). 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WE DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO AUTONATION NISSAN ARAPAHOE (HEREINAFTER "AN") ON MARCH 7, 2014 FOR INSPECTION DUE TO SAFETY RECALLS, AT LEAST 1 OF WHICH AFFECTS STEERING & BREAKS, & COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE WE MADE SURE AN WAS AWARE OF ALL THE PUBLICLY REPORTED RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE & ABNORMAL PERFORMANCE RELATED TO THE BREAKS & STEERING. [XXX], AN EMPLOYEE AT AN THAT "HE DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IN ITS CONDITION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR INSPECTION." [XXX] OF MVS ON MARCH 21, 2014. STATED, "THE 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD BEEN SUBMITTED FOR INSPECTION FOR THE NISSAN CORROSION RECALL." AFTER THIS CALL, NEITHER HER, NOR MVS GAVE PROACTIVE UPDATES ON THE STATUS OF HIS VEHICLE. WHEN CONTACTING AN ABOUT HIS VEHICLE, THEY INFORMED THAT MVS HAS INSTRUCTED THEM TO "KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF THE VEHICLE. " AFTER WEEKS OF NOT HEARING BACK FROM MVS, WE REACHED OUT TO AN & WAS ADVISED BY [XXX], OF AN ON APRIL 14, 2014 THAT "HIS TEAM WAS NOT CONVINCED THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTORED TO ITS SAFE CONDITION & HE HAS ADVISED MVS OF THEIR CONCERN, HOWEVER, MVS DISREGARDED THEIR CONCERN & INSISTED AUTONATION FIX THE VEHICLE." ON APRIL 15, 2014, AN STATED THEIR INTENT TO DELIVER THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. WE'RE VERY ALARMED THAT MVS & NNAI CHOSE TO SEND THE VEHICLE TO A BODY-SHOP. BODY SHOPS DO NOT SPECIALIZE IN STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY & SAFETY OF VEHICLES. WE'RE CONCERNED HIS VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE & OUR CHILDREN'S SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586846

165,891 miles · Sep 27, 2012
SteeringSuspensionWheels

VEHICLE STRUT HOUSING AND STRUT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE ,FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT. ALL SERVICES WAS DONE BY A MECHANIC AND CHARGED FOR LABOR AND PARTS. PLEASE EMAIL ME ABOUT THIS @[XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)…

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VEHICLE STRUT HOUSING AND STRUT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE ,FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO IT. ALL SERVICES WAS DONE BY A MECHANIC AND CHARGED FOR LABOR AND PARTS. PLEASE EMAIL ME ABOUT THIS @[XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477298

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineSteeringSuspension

MY VEHICLE HAS TWO RECALLS ON IT - FIRST ONE IS THE GAS NECK RECALL AND THE SECOND IS THE STRUT HOUSING CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ON MAY 2ND, 2011 TO BERGSTROM/NISSAN IN OSHKOSH. THEY CHECKED OUT MY VEHICLE AND SAID THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEMS REGARDING BOTH RECALLS. IT IS SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2011 AND TH…

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MY VEHICLE HAS TWO RECALLS ON IT - FIRST ONE IS THE GAS NECK RECALL AND THE SECOND IS THE STRUT HOUSING CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ON MAY 2ND, 2011 TO BERGSTROM/NISSAN IN OSHKOSH. THEY CHECKED OUT MY VEHICLE AND SAID THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEMS REGARDING BOTH RECALLS. IT IS SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2011 AND THEY STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE. THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING AND TOLD ME THAT THEY BRACED UP THE FRONT. THINGS SHOULD BE GOOD BUT THAT THEY TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND IT IS STILL ALL OVER THE ROAD. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE PART FOR THE GAS NECK RECALL IS ON BACK ORDER. THEY TOLD ME TO COME AND PICK UP THE VEHICLE. IF THEY TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND IT STILL IS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING - THEN I DON'T THINK IT IS SAFE AND THAT THEY MUST NOT HAVE DONE A GOOD ENOUGH JOB FIXING THE PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424389

189,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWERS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND WAS AWAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURERS APPROVAL TO REPAIR IT. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWERS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND WAS AWAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURERS APPROVAL TO REPAIR IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 ( STEERING:COLUMN) . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399349

130,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CON…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING:COLUMN) WAS RELATED; YET, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10398907

158,101 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Steering

I MADE A TURN AND I HEARD A POP SOUND AND TOTALLY LOST MY STEERING. THANK GOD I WAS GOING FAST AND DIDN'T HIT THE CARS PARKED ON THE SIDE. MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHICH MADE ME AWARE THAT THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER JOINT HAD BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394313

110 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringCrash

AS I WAS APPROACHING THE END OF AN EXIT ' I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BUT INSTEAD THE CAR TOOK OFF AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED WHILE I WATCHED IN HORROR AND FEARING FOR MY LIFE. IT KEPT GOING UNTIL IT HIT A FREE . THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT I HAD DROPPED COLLISION A FEW …

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AS I WAS APPROACHING THE END OF AN EXIT ' I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BUT INSTEAD THE CAR TOOK OFF AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED WHILE I WATCHED IN HORROR AND FEARING FOR MY LIFE. IT KEPT GOING UNTIL IT HIT A FREE . THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT I HAD DROPPED COLLISION A FEW MONTHS BEFORE SO NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR AND ABOUT $6,000.00 FOR WHICH THE CAR WAS MORE OR LESS WORTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316351

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.