1996 Nissan Pathfinder

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT THE DMV, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR STRUT WAS RUSTING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING MADE AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE UNSURE HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 293,000.

CAR HAS MANY AFTER MARKET PARTS WHICH ARE OLD AND RUSTED WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO BREAK DOWN EVEN AFTER REPLACING MANY PARTS ALSO WHEN SEARCHING GOR PARTS ITS HARD TO FIND I HAVE TO GET PARTS FOR A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER WHEN MY VEHICLE IS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER

I TRIED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE NISSAN DEALER AND AFTER FINDING MY VEHICLE RETURN A POSITIVE AIRBAG RECALL ON AIRBAGRECALL.COM. THE LOCAL DEAL SAID IT IS NOT LISTED IN THEIR SYSTEM AND DID NOT OFFER TO LOOK INTO IT ANY FURTHER. I TOLD THEM THEY COULD LOOK IT UP ON AN INTERNET BASED SYSTEM TO SEE WHAT I WAS SEEING BUT THEY DECLINED. WILSON MOTOR COMPANY WILSON NISSAN 328 NORTH MAIN STREET, LOGAN (435) 752-7355

ON A LONG ROAD TRIP FROM INDIANA TO NORTH CAROLINA, THE REAR-END OF MY VEHICLE BEGAN SWAYING OR ROCKING FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AS I WAS GOING 60 MPH OR MORE AND WHENEVER I CHANGED LANES. IT FELT VERY UNSTABLE, AS THOUGH IT MAY ROLLOVER. UPON MY RETURN HOME, I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIRS AND WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE SWAY BAR, THE SHOCKS AND MAYBE THE TIRES. I REPLACED &/OR REPAIRED EVERYTHING. IT SEEMED OK UNTIL MY RECENT ROAD TRIP FROM INDIANA TO MISSOURI WHEN THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED WITH THE REAR-END SWAYING MORE THIS TIME BUT USUALLY ONLY UPON DECELERATION. I NOW NOTICE IT DURING CITY DRIVING WHICH I WASN'T SURE ABOUT BEFORE DUE TO ALL THE POTHOLES AND BUMPS IN THE STREETS. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL REPORTING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS EVEN A 1998 SERVICE BULLETIN POSTED BY A NISSAN DEALER ON HOW TO FIX THIS "FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION EXCESSIVE PLAY" PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THIS MUST BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

WHENEVER I REACH AN EXCESS SPEED OF 40+ AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS THE CAR ROCKS BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLE. I AM A MOTHER OF FOUR AND THE IS A VERY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH ME AND MY CHILDREN.

I BOUGHT THIS CAR A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND COULDN'T DRIVE IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT A LITTLE BEFORE I GOT MY LICENSE. SO EVENTUALLY WHEN I GOT IT ON THE ROAD I ENDED UP GETTING A REJECTION STICKER BECAUSE THE E BREAK AND A FEW OTHER REASONS. ONE THING I'VE NOTICED ABOUT MY S.U.V IS THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO. THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH IS ROTTED OUT, (THAT'S WHAT THE GUY TOLD ME WHO INSPECTED MY CAR) AN EVER SINCE I'VE HAD IT, I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING, I'VE TRIED THE POWER STEERING FLUID DIDN'T WORK. I'M NOT POSITIVE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT I WAS REFERED TO THIS SO I'M TRYING TO SEE WHAT I CAN DO IF I CAN DO ANYTHING.

ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME COMPLAINT, YET NOTHING IS DONE FOR THE CONSUMER OF WHAT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE WHEN NEW EVEN THOUGH IT IS DANGEROUS AND MANY CONSUMERS SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM (OR GIVE UP AND PARK THE VEHICLE), OFTEN SPENDING THE MONEY ON THE WRONG FIX BECAUSE THIS INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN TO THEM AND THERE IS, ALMOST UNBELIEVABLY, NO RECALL. DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT SIDE TO SIDE SHAKING AT LESS THAN HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH COULD LEAD TO CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH. REPAIR IS COSTLY AND IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH DEALERSHIPS AND NISSAN BUT NOT NECESSARILY KNOWN BY OTHER AUTO MECHANICS........................................................ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME COMPLAINT: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10695520 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10583582 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10575024 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10523182 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10478531 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10448749 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10429267 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10417692 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10400070 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10380091 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10379998 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10374836 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10347481 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10345594 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10341396 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10319474 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10292498 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10280742 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10278532 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10272428 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10262357 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10261360 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10222448 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10220528 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10218798 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10218166 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10217609 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10214503 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10212982 NH

AS VEHICLE APPROACHED 50MPH IT WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE FORCING ME TO LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE SHAKING MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENING NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT ALSO TO MY FAMILY (WE WERE ON VACATION). SINCE THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A DANGEROUS SITUATION I LOOKED FOR A RECALL. THERE WAS NONE. I DID, HOWEVER, FIND MANY SIMILAR STORIES ON THE INTERNET. THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR SUSPENSION BARS. "VERIFIED REAR SUSPENSION LINKS WERE BAD, BUSHINGS TORE-REPLACED ALL 4 BARS" MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS 60,687. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT USED OFF-ROAD. THE REPAIR COST ME $740.20 MOSTLY IT IS JUST SHOCKING THAT SUCH A DANGEROUS CONDITION IS NOT A RECALL. THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ONCE IT'S SPEED EXCEEDED 50MPH. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED OVER HAD I ATTEMPTED TO GO FASTER RATHER THAN LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE AND KEEP IT WELL MAINTAINED ... MILEAGE IS NOW 103,957. *TR

THE NISSAN PATHFINDER I DRIVE SWAYS VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT VARYING SPEEDS. THIS SEEMS TO STEM FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SEEMS AS IF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL FLIP OVER AT ANY MOMENT IF UNCONTROLLED. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR OR SPEED UP A BIT. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NOT A MENTION WAS MADE OF THE VIOLENT ROLL. I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL, BUT NOW WILL NOT LET HIM UNTIL REPAIRS ARE DONE. AFTER COMPLETING AN INTERNET SEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE NISSAN TO MY MECHANIC BUT WILL SHORTLY AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. I HOPE THE REPAIRS THAT ARE SUGGESTED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE WORK ALTHOUGH NONE HAVE INDICATED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. *TR

THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2009, AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY START TO WOBBLE AT 60 MPH SO WE TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION THEY TOLD US IT NEEDED ALIGNMENT SO WE HAD IT DONE. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THEN IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN AND NOW AT JUST 30 MPH SO WE TOOK IN AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY DID TIRES AND BALANCING BUT IT IS JUST GETTING WORSE.I FEEL LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE WHEN IT STARTS TO WOBBLE AND LIKE MY TIRES ARE GOING TO FALL OFF. I TRY NOT TO DRIVE THAT CAR SO MUCH ANY MORE SPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTERS WITH ME. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK YOU MAY HAVE CONCERNING THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING WITH MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 THANK YOU *TR

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 I

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.

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

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.

MY AXLE FELL OFF MY CAR AND IF I DRIVE UP TO 45MPH I CAR WOBBLES AN ROCKS SIDE TO SIDE REALLY BAD. *KB

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.

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!!!

I STARTED TO EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING,FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EFFECTING MY STEERING AND HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE,WHEN EITHER CHANGING LANES OR WHEN I HIT A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD. I HONESTLY STARTED TO BELIEVE MY CAR WAS ABOUT TO ROLL OVER, THUS CAUSING INJURY TO MYSELF AND POSSIBLY OTHERS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I THEN DECIDED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL NIZZAN DEALASHIP TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD,THAT THE LEFT APRON ASSEMBLY & LEFT CLOSINGPLATE WAS SEVERELY ROTTED OUT AND SPLIT APART DUE TO CORROSION, WHICH LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER, WHICH IN TURN AFFECTS THE VEHICLE'S ALIIGNMENT. TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL AUTOBODY SHOP AND HAD TO REPLACE BOTH PARTS THAT I DESCRIBED ABOVED,ALONG WITH BOLTED ON PARTS, AN UNDERCOATING SPRAY TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE CORROSION AND THE LABOR COST CHARGED INVOLVED. *TR

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

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

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

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

NOTICED THERE WAS A HUG BUMP/BULGE ON A FUTURA SUPER SPORT GLS 255/70/15 TIRE ON MY SUV. THE BUMP WAS ABOUT 7 INCHES LONG AND ABOUT 1 INCH HIGHER THAN THE NORMAL TREAD. WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, NOTICED CAR WAS BOUNCY/ROCKING. TOOK IT IN TO PEP BOYS WHO SAID IT WAS A DEFECT AND REPLACED AT PRORATED RATE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE SPOTTED. IF THE TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. TWO DAYS AFTER HAVING THE DEFECTIVE TIRE (MENTIONED ABOVE) REPLACED, NOTICED A SECOND FUTURA SUPER SPORT GLS (PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME) WAS SHOWING THE SAME DEFECT. THE BULGE WASN'T AS BAD BUT IT WAS STARTING TO FORM AND GROW. TOOK IT TO PEP BOYS WHO REPLACED AGAIN AT PRORATED RATE. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT OF THE 3 TIRES I BOUGHT IN 2006, 2 HAVE THE SAME MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT? I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DEFECT IF INTERESTED. *TR

NOTICED THERE WAS A HUGE BUMP/BULGE ON A FUTURA SUPER SPORT GLS 255/70/15 TIRE ON MY SUV. THE BUMP WAS ABOUT 7 INCHES LONG AND ABOUT 1 INCH HIGHER THAN THE NORMAL TREAD. WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, NOTICED CAR WAS BOUNCY/ROCKING. TOOK IT IN TO PEP BOYS WHO SAID IT WAS A DEFECT AND REPLACED AT PRORATED RATE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE SPOTTED. IF THE TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. TWO DAYS AFTER HAVING THE DEFECTIVE TIRE (MENTIONED ABOVE) REPLACED, NOTICED A SECOND FUTURA SUPER SPORT GLS (PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME) WAS SHOWING THE SAME DEFECT. THE BULGE WASN'T AS BAD BUT IT WAS STARTING TO FORM AND GROW. TOOK IT TO PEP BOYS WHO REPLACED AGAIN AT PRORATED RATE. *TR

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

MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE HAS A TERRIBLE WOBBLE, SWAYING MOTION ( LEFT TO RIGHT) THAT RESEMBLES THAT OF ROCKING A BOAT. I HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED, NEW TIRES, ECT., BUT IT STILL EXIST WHEN YOU GET UP TO ABOUT 60 MPH. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND EVENTUALLY, I AM SURE IT WILL HAPPEN. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM COMPLETELY BAFFLED AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

PATHFINDER 1996 - ALL 8 REAR BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED - THE WHOLE REAR END FISHTAILS AROUND; THE REAR END HAS NOTHING TO KEEP THE REAR WHEELS SQUARE - SWAY BAR STABILIZER LINK - RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE REAR STABILIZERS ARE DEFECTIVE - CAUSES TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL - DRIVER & PASSENGER NECK SNAPS BACK AND FORTH DANGEROUSLY - REAR UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL LINK ROD BUSHINGS DEFECTIVE - WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH - AN INTERNET SEARCH TURNS UP PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE OR ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MOST ARE SAYING IF YOU REPLACE THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS OR THE ENTIRE ARMS ? TSB - DOES NOTHING - NO REPORT OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE - NISSAN HAS STUCK IT'S HEAD IN THE SAND - *TR

REAR END SWAYS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS SO I CHANGED SHOCKS & STRUTS BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, FOUND OUT ITS THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE REAR STABILIZERS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

WHEN TRAVELING 50 MPH GOING EITHER IN LEFT (MOST PREVALENT) OR RIGHT DIRECTION - VEHICLE MAKES A ROCKING MOTION THAT SEEMS TO START IN REAR - GETS WORSE IN TIME - MAY CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL - HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT - HAVE WRITTEN TO NISSAN WITHOUT A RESPONSE. *TR

WHEN TOWING A CAMPER WITH MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER THE SHOCKS GAVE OUT AND CAUSED THE BODY OF THE CAR TO DROP DOWN TO RUB ON THE WHEELS. AFTER DISCONNECTING THE CAMPER THE BODY ROSE UP TO NORMAL POSITION AND I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME AREA OVER THE REAR WHEELS ON BOTH SIDES IS COMPLETELY ROTTED. CHECKING MY SON-IN-LAWS 1995 PATHFINDER I DISCOVERED THAT HIS WAS AS BAD OR WORSE THAN MINE. *TR

I BOUGHT A USED NISSAN PATHFINDER 1996 FROM A DEALER ON 2002. THE CAR WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT IT STARTED TO WOBBLE SIDE TO SIDE. THE PROBLEM WAS ESCALATING, I CHANGED TIRES, STRUTS, AXLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. THE WARRANTY FINISH FROM THE DEALER AND BOOM THE PROBLEM GOT HARDER TO FIX DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. IT IS HARD TO SEE THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND I NEED IT FIX. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS HAVING TO DRIVE A CAR THAT SWAYS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE CAR BUT IT IS SITTING ON MY DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR ME TO FIND AN ABSOLUTION. THE DEALER SHOULD OF TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG IF THEY HAD REPORTS. I WAS A NEWBIE BUYING A CAR SO LITTLE DID I KNOW. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT A NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 1996 - I FOUND MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE (SEE POSTS: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/T5LSTPR50NPCO9CTL/P7) - LOCAL MECHANIC HAS INDICATED THE REPAIR ON MINE WOULD BE AROUND $700 - $1000 - THE REAL PROBLEM IS PREMATURE WEAR OF UPPER AND LOWER REAR CONTROL ARMS BUSHINGS (THIS APPLIES TO 1996-2001 APPARENTLY). I DROVE THE VEHICLE FROM OREGON TO CALIFORNIA AND IT WAS A REAL CHALLENGE TO MANAGE THE SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE - THE ONLY WAY TO MITIGATE THE CAR FROM WOBBLING IS TO EITHER REDUCE SPEED OR ACCELERATE. THIS SHOULD HAD BEEN A SAFETY RECALL FROM NISSAN INSTEAD A SERVICE BULLETIN - THE VEHICLE TURNS TO BE QUITE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT FREEWAY SPEED AND COULD EASILY ROLL OVER. *TR PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE, DINO ANDRETTA YORBA LINDA, CA

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. ENTIRE VEHICLE SWAYS WHEN REACHING SPEEDS OF 50+MPH, AS IF YOU ARE PLAYING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND ROCKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH. NISSAN ISSUED A TSB BACK IN 1998. THE # IS: NTB 98001. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AND IT MAKES FOR VERY UNSAFE CONDITIONS. NO ACCIDENT DUE TO CONDITION YET. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I WOULD BE STUNNED IF NISSAN HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN SUED OVER THIS ISSUE. IF YOU GOOGLE: PATHFINDER SWAY WOBBLE, YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME CONDITION. THE REAR LINK ARMS/BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE, YET THEY HAVE NEVER RECALLED. *TR

UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE VIOLENT ROCKING MOTION AT ANY SPEED. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, STEADILY GETTING WORSE. SAFETY CONCERN AS I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND THERE IS A DANGEROUS SWAY WHEN I DRIVE, IT FEELS LIKE THE REAR END IS GOING TO FISH TAIL. *TR

1. AT AROUND 120K MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO SWAY, SOMETIMES UNCONTROLLABLY, AT SPEEDS AROUND 50MPH. REPLACES SHOCKS AND STRUTS. DID NOT FIX IT. TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE REAR STABILIZER BARS AND BUSHING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND VERY COMMON. *TR

AT ~ 65MPH, MY 96 PATHFINDER CAN SWAY SPONTANEOUSLY, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF THE CAR BOUNCING. DRIVER & PASSENGER NECK SNAPS BACK AND FORTH. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A TERRIFYING, UNCONTROLLABLE "WOBBLE" SIDE TO SIDE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AFTER HITTING A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD ON ONE SIDE. THE WOBBLE FIRST BEGAN TO APPEAR OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS. NISSAN DEALER PLAYS DUMB ABOUT PROBLEM AND WANTS TO CHARGE ESTIMATED $1200 TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AND THERE IS EVEN A TSB FROM NISSAN REGARDING IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS, CAUSED BY DESIGN, AND SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER RECALL BY NISSAN. *TR

NISSAN PATHFINDER 1996 MODEL HAS A CATASTROPHIC DESIGN FLAW. VEHICLE DANGEROUS WOBBLE. *TR

REAR UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL LINK ROD BUSHINGS DEFECTIVE CAUSING DANGEROUS REAR END SWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH. REPAIR IS COSTLY AND IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH DEALERSHIPS AND NISSAN. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE AND NOTICED A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/SUSPENSION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE '96-'04 MODELS AND HAS EVEN HAD A TSB (NTB98-001) ON THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONSULTED MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND HAD TO PAY $700-$800 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS MOST DRIVERS EXPERIENCE THEIR CARS WOBBLING OUT OF CONTROL AND OFF THE ROAD. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE OR PUT MY FAMILY IN IT. THIS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN A FACTORY RECALL!!! *TR

WE OWN A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4 WHEEL DRIVE THAT HAD DEVELOPED A SEVERE SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE AT 55-60+ MPH . MECHANICS SAID IT WAS STRUTS/SHOCKS. WE REPLACED ALL 4. SAME PROBLEM EXISTS. THIS IS LIFE THREATENING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY DAUGHTER AND MYSELF HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED IT AND YOU NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE SUV IF YOU DON'T LET OFF THE GAS QUICK. I WOULD HATE TO SEE THE RESULT OF AN EVASIVE MANEUVER - IT WILL BE CATASTROPHIC. DEALERS ARE ACTING LIKE THEY KNOW NOTHING, YET AN INTERNET SEARCH TURNS UP PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE OR ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MOST ARE SAYING IF YOU REPLACE THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS OR THE ENTIRE ARMS, IT GOES AWAY. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO GET INVOLVED NOW AND FORCE NISSAN TO DO A NO-COST RECALL. WE OWN 2 OTHER NISSAN CARS AND I HAVE OWNED OVER A DOZEN CARS/TRUCKS IN 32 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. AND, I WORK ON CARS AND MOTORCYCLES IN MY SPARE TIME, AND I KNOW WHAT I AM ADDRESSING HERE. THIS IS A MAJOR, SERIOUS ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. *JB

I AM REPORTING A FAILURE IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AT SPEEDS OF 50+ MPH, THE BACK HALF OF THE VEHICLE HAS INSTANCES WHERE OUT OF NOWHERE IT BEGINS TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN IT STOPS AND WILL DO IT AGAIN JUST OUT OF THE BLUE. I REASONABLY FORESEE THIS FAILURE RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. ALL INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRENCE HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSTATE. THERE WAS A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE BUT NISSAN SHOULD CHANGE IT TO A RECALL. *TR