1997 Nissan Pathfinder complaints

I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER, IT IS GRINDING AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT YET BECAUSE IT IS TOO COSTLY. THERE IS A RECALL ON 1996-2004 PATHFINDERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM HOWEVER BASED ON MY VIN MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. NISSAN DOES RECOMMEND THAT I TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND PAY TO FIX IT TO AVOID ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. HOW COULD I POSSIBLY HAVE THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND PROBLEMS BUT NOT BE PART OF THE RECALL?? *TR

1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER ABOUT TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SEVERE ROT. *TR

LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER, AND FRAME RUSTED AWAY CAUSING STRUT TO HIT STEERING SHAFT. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HITTING HOOD. VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

AT THIS TIME, THIS HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THERE IS SEVERE FRAME RUST THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE FRAME RUST OCCURS ALONG THE REAR AXLE, STEERING COLUMN, AND VARIOUS OTHER LOCATIONS ALONG THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT WHICH ALLOWED TO VEHICLE TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY.

HIT A POTHOLE AND THEN STARTED HEARING A NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY ODOMETER WAS NO LONGER WORKING. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE I FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER HAD A LARGE RUSTED OUT AREA AND THAT THE SPOT WELDS OF THE PANELS WERE SEPARATING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS THOSE LISTED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11004

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE MCPHERSON STRUT WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER A SMALL HILL, THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME BUT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL COLLISION CENTER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE APRON AND THE FENDER ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,834.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING ABNORMALLY AND BECOMING UNUSUALLY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VEHICLE REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,443.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY SWAY BACK AND FORTH WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 55 MPH. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD REMOVE HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD FEEL AS IF IT WERE HYDROPLANING. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE WHERE THE SWAY BAR AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING IN MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND I HAD EXPERIENCED SOME RESISTANCE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, SO I BEGAN TO INSPECT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WHEEL WELLS. I FOUND THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE SHOCK TOWER HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE WAY IT HAS BENT AWAY HAS CAUSED IT TO PUT DIRECT PRESSURE ON BOTH THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. IF THE TOWER WAS TO FAIL COMPLETELY, I'M REASONABLY CERTAIN THAT IT WOULD SHEAR OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER (LEAVING ME WITHOUT BRAKES!) AND POSSIBLY SEVER THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

I AM WRITING IN REGARDS TO AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 10/10/08 INVOLVING MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER VIN#[XXX] , AND 5 OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING MY OWN 2ND CAR. ALL OF WHICH WERE PARKED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE STREET. THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY MY PATHFINDER'S GAS PEDAL FAILURE WHICH CAUSED IT TO STAY AT THE PRESSED DOWN POSITION WHILE GOING AT ABOUT 30MPH, AND I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE, THUS HITTING THE OTHER 5 CARS. THANKS TO THE PRESENCE OF THESE CARS, MY PATHFINDER WAS ABLE TO STOP AND MY SAFETY SPARED. WHEN I FILED THE CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY GEICO (POLICY #[XXX] ), I SPECIFICALLY TOLD THEM THAT THIS ACCIDENT WAS NOT CAUSED BY MY RECKLESSNESS OR LACK OF EXPERIENCE, BUT INSTEAD, IT WAS DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE CLAIM #S RELATED TO THE INCIDENTS ARE: [XXX] AND [XXX] . DESPITE OF THAT, MY INSURANCE PREMIUM NEARLY DOUBLED. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND FAULT IN THE GAS PEDAL UPON INSPECTION. I HAD SUBSEQUENTLY SOLD THE CAR. THE RECENT TOYOTA RECALLS HAVE BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF THAT INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE MECHANICAL FAILURE ON THE PATHFINDER WAS EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO THOSE ON THE TOYOTAS. I HAVE SEEN MY FORMER VEHICLE PARKED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER THE NEW OWNERSHIP. I HAVE NOTED DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER SHOULD NHTSA DECIDE TO TRACK IT DOWN FOR INSPECTION. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO REPORT THE ABOVE PROBLEM THAT HAS PLAGUED MY FORMER NISSAN VEHICLE OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE CURRENT OWNER'S SAFETY. IN ADD

TL- CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE DRIVER STATES SHE WAS RECENTLY TRYING TO SELL HER VEHICLE SO SHE WENT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE A CAR-FAX DONE ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATES THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT HER VIN NUMBER WAS COMING BACK STATING THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SOLD WITH C4C IN 2009 AND A JUNK TITLE CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED. THE DRIVER STATES SHE HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE OVER 10 YEARS SO SHE HAS NOT IDEA WHY THIS WOULD BE. THE MILEAGE ON HER VEHICLE IS 133,332. AR

OUR 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER DEVELOPS A REAR ROCKING MOTION (SWAY, WOBBLE) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT WOULD CLEARLY PUT THE VEHICLE OUT OF CONTROL IF NOT QUICKLY STOPPED, WHICH CAN USUALLY BE ACCOMPLISHED BY LETTING OFF THE GAS. THIS HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY AND REPEATEDLY, SOMETIMES EVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS (IN THE 40 MPH RANGE.) THE SENSATION IS VERY UNNERVING TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS NOT DUE TO ANYTHING THE DRIVER HAS DONE AND IT STRIKES WITHOUT WARNING. IN JUST A FEW SECONDS THE CAR FEELS LIKE 2 SECONDS MORE AND IT WILL FLIP OR ROLL OR CRASH INTO ANOTHER LANE! (TAKE A RIDE WITH ME, YOU'LL SEE I'M NOT EXAGGERATING.) THE TRICK IS TO STOP THE ROCKING AS SOON AS YOU NOTICE IT STARTING, USUALLY BY LETTING OFF THE GAS. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO MANY PATHFINDER OWNERS (IN THE 1996-200 RANGE) AND TO NISSAN, WHICH HAS PRODUCED A TSBS ON IT (NTB98-001, NTB98-012) BUT THE COMPANY HAS NOT DEALT WITH IT AS A RECALL. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE ($700-$1,400) REPAIR APPARENTLY DUE TO FAULTY CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, THE SMART REPAIR IS APPARENTLY TO USE POLYURETHANE AFTER-MARKET BUSHINGS INSTEAD OF OEM (UNLESS YOU WANT IT TO COME BACK AGAIN IN LESS THAN 100K.) *TW WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 6 MONTHS AND OURS SET IN AT ABOUT 170K BUT MANY OTHER OWNERS WERE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO AT 100K. AND MANY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HOW NISSAN HAS NOT HANDLED THIS DESIGN PROBLEM THEY CREATED.

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

1997 PATHFINDER WOBBLES IN THE REAR WILDLY AT TIMES, USUALLY WHEN I HIT THE ACCELERATOR. *TR

97 PATHFINDER SAFETY PROBLEM WITH REAR SUSPENSION LINKS. SIDE TO SIDE SWAY. ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO FLIP IT IS SO BAD. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM! DANGEROUS??? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND SOMETIMES SLOWER THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN 4 -5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED NORMALLY. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS, THE RPMS INCREASE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS, BUT THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN FOR THE 1996-1999 MODELS REGARDING IDLE SPEED FAILURES. THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS PERTAINED TO HER VEHICLE AS WELL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 124,196. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER AND IT WOULD ACT AS IF THE GAS WAS NOT BEING APPLIED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE CONSUEMR HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. UPDATED 03/25/09.*JB

FUEL FILLER TUBE RUSTED OUT AND FELL OUT. NISSAN IS TELLING ME ITS NOT COVERED ON RECALL. ALL 1997 PATHFINDERS HAD THIS ISSUE. *TR

VEHICLE IS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER WOBBLES SIDE TO SIDE AT HIGH SPEEDS, VERY BUMPY SUSPENSION OTHERWISE. REPLACED SHOCKS AND STRUTS, AS WELL AS ALL TIRES, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS. NISSAN HAS POSTED A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

THE LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER HAS PUSHED UP INTO THE HOOD DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME. AFTER 118,000 MILES, THE ODOMETER ON OUR 97 PATHFINDER STOPPED WORKING AND WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG EVERY TIME WE HIT A BUMP WITH THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME HAD ROTTED AND THE STRUT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. WE HAD THE PATHFINDER TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE, AND AFTER PLACING ON THE FRAME MACHINE DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $2100.00 TO REPAIR AND ADVISED US NOT TO SPEND THE FUNDS TO REPAIR. THEY TOLD US THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT SUCH A WELL TAKEN CARE OF PATHFINDER WAS NOT SAFE AND READY TO BE CRUSHED. WE ARE NOW LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT LOOKS AND RUNS FINE, BUT CANNOT BE DRIVEN OR SOLD. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT WE DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR HURT ANYONE, BUT ARE NOW OUT $5000.00 (VALUE OF THE PATHFINDER). *TR

TRUCK SWAYS DANGEROUSLY SIDE TO SIDE IN REAR WHILE DRIVING AT OVER 40MPH REPLACED STRUTS & SHOCKS. MECHANIC SUSPECTS REAR UPPER & LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS VERY EXPENSIVE USUALLY BECAUSE OF LABOR. THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF INFERIOR QUALITY. *TR

AFTER DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER TO THE REASON WHY MY VEHICLE WAS ACTING THE WAY IT WAS I STUMBLED UPON AN INTERNET SITE WITH OTHER PATHFINDER OWNERS DESCRIBING SAME THINGS I WAS EXPERIENCING. I OWN A NISSAN PATHFINDER XE 3.3 L 4X4. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS VIOLENT SWAYING OF THE REAR END AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50 AND 65 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP IS TO TAP THE BREAKS OR SPEED UP. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT AT THE COST OF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. NOTHING HAS WORKED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH! ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE VELOCITIES AT WHICH IT OCCURS. IT IS THE CONSENSUS OF THE MANY POSTERS ON THE SITE THAT THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS ARE THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. *TR

1997 PATHFINDER WOBBLES LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN REACHING SPEED OF 65-70 MPH. STOPPED WOBBLING WHEN RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS AND THE TWO FRONT AXLES..SAME PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS CONDITION AND NISSAN SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND CORRECT IT!!!!...I PERSONALLY KNOW OF TWO OTHER PATHFINDER'S OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER REAR LINK ARM BUSHING FAILURE. *TR

REAR BUSHINGS ON NISSAN PATHFINDERS. MINE IS A 97 MODEL. THAT SWAYS AS SOON AS I HIT 65 MPH. I HAVE TO TAP ON THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATE FOR THE SWAYING TO STOP. IT STARTS AGAIN SOON AFTER. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THE REAR BUSHINGS .WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/T5LSTPR5ONPC09CTLFOR ANY SOLUTIONS AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I AM REQUIRED TO DRIVE TO WORK EACH DAY AND JUST CAN'T FANTHOM THE THOUGHT OF LOOSING TOTAL CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE BECAUSE NISSAN WON'T RECALL THIS. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I EXPERIENCE VERY "HEAVY" SIDE TO SIDE SWAYING OF THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55 MPH. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AT OTHER BLOGS AND NOTICED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME CONDITION. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TSB, (NTB98-001 )BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, NO DOUBT DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIR, WHICH WAS JUST QUOTED TO ME BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT $1,400.00 (AND TWO DAYS IN THE SHOP). THE PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO NISSAN AND OTHER CONSUMERS ONLINE, IS THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING (FRONT AND REAR) AND OTHER CONNECTING PARTS. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE DESIGN ERROR AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AT THE EXPENSE OF NISSAN, NOT THE CONSUMER. *TR

MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS THE WELL DOCUMENTED "DEATH WOBBLES" ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY IT IS THE REAR BUSHINGS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE. CAUSES SEVERE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. I'VE HEARD THE SAME STORY FROM MANY NISSAN OWNERS. I'M FRIGHTENED TO EVEN SELL THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS EVEN WHEN I TELL A BUYER ABOUT THE FACTORY PROBLEM. *TR

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

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

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE (81,000 MILES); AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT THE FRONT SHOCKS WERE SHOT; THEN A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT NO - IT WAS THE FRONT STRUTS. I HAVE SINCE FOUND A WEB SITE WITH MANY OWNERS OF THIS VINTAGE MODEL THAT TELL ME THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE 8 REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS - THIS IS DANGEROUS. AT VERY LEAST, THEY SHOULD NOTIFY OWNERS. *TR

97 PATHFINDER DRIVING AT 60-70MPH STARTED SWAYING SIDE TO SIDE UNCONTROLLABLY. NOTICING NOW EVEN AT SLOWER SPEEDS THE PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN I DRIVE IT ON HIGHWAY AT AROUND 50-75 MPH, SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD WOBBLE FOR NO REASON. IF I MOVE MY FOOT AWAY FROM THE GAS PEDAL, THE WOBBLE WOULD STOP. IT MAKES ME FEEL VERY SCARED. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAS THE SAME CAR WITH SAME PROBLEM. HE HAD IT FIXED BY REPLACING SOME BUSHINGS AT THE BACK. I AM GOING TO DO THE SAME THING. WHEN I SEARCH INTERNET, I FOUND A LOT OF PATHFINDER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD THIS BE TAKEN CARE OF BY NISSAN? *JB

CAR DEVELOPED A SIDE-TO-SIDE WOBBLE, MOSTLY IN THE REAR, AT SPEEDS FROM ABOUT 50 TO 65 MPH. WOBBLE IS NOT INDUCED BY STEERING WHEEL; IT JUST HAPPENS. IT'S WORSE WHEN CAR HAS PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT. THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS (OR TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS), ONLY THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. IT IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND IT IS VERY COMMON FOR 97 AND 98 NISSAN PATHFINDERS, AND A LOT OF USERS REPLACE MANY OTHER PARTS (SHOCK ABSORBERS, TIRES, ETC) THAT DON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND CAN CAUSE A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER THAT HAS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. AT 55-65 MPH IT SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. IT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THE WOBBLE IS CAUSED BY BAD BUSHINGS IN THE REAR OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. IN MY CASE I ESCAPED INJURY WHEN IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OR GREATER, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYS LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR STRUTS AND TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND FRONT BRAKES. AS OF JULY 19, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 89,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ

97 NISSAN PATHFINDER - DANGEROUSLY SWAYS LEFT TO RIGHT ONCE YOU DRIVE ABOVE 60 MPH. BEEN TO REPAIRS MANY TIMES AND HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *AK

I OWN A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE SUSPENSION FAILED BY SWAYING BACK AND FORTH. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR WILL ROLL OVER. DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS CLEARLY FORESEEABLE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE SWAY, I NEEDED TO DECELERATE. HOWEVER, AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED. DUE TO THE CONTINUOUS NATURE OF THIS FAILURE I HAD INCLUDED THE NUMBER 999 BELOW IN THE NUMBER OF FAILURE FIELDS TO DENOTE THAT HE FAILURE WAS CONTINUOUS. JANUARY 1, 2005 AS THE INCIDENT DATE TO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING FAILURE OF THE SUSPENSION. *AK

I HAVE A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE. IT HAS A SEVERE WOBBLE AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH AND ABOVE. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SUSPENSION ,SO I REPLACED IT. THE WOBBLE CONTINUED. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT ITWAS COMMON WITH EVERY PATHFINDER IN THE 1990'S AFTER THE VEHICLE PASSED APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. THE LOW QUALITY BUSHINGS DETERIORATED AND COULD NOT SUPPORT THE VEHICLE. WEIGHT SHIFTED DURING ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. I HAVE PULLED OVER NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE OF IT. IT APPEARED THAT EVERY PATHFINDER OF THIS MODEL YEAR RANGE WAS PLAGUED BY THIS PROBLEM. THE CHEAPEST I HAVE FOUND THIS REPAIR WAS $700, HOWEVER, IT SEEMED LIKE THISWAS THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED TO FIND ACCIDENTS THAT HAD TO DO WITH THIS SUB-QUALITY PART. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR NISSAN TO PUT FORTH A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER (50000 FAILURE MILEAGE) AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO REDUCE HIS SPEED IN ORDER FOR THE SWAYING TO STOP AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE REAR STABILIZER ARMS WERE WORN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JB

THE REAR END ON MY 97 PATHFINDER SHIFTS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL MANY TIMES. AFTER TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T A RECALL. I WAS VERY SURPRISED CAUSE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

REPORTING A VEHICLE ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN BY NISSAN "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. TO CORRECT THESE CONDITIONS, USE THE SERVICE PROCEDURE ON PAGE 2. " THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT CAN EASILY LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT CAUSES VERY VIOLENT SHAKING/ROCKING OF THE CHASSIS. *JB

1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4WD, TERRIBLE WOBBLE ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWAY OUT OF CONTROL AT HIGH WAY SPEEDS. NISSAN DID NOT KNOW WHY. I REPLACED ALL TIRES..FRONT STRUTS, LOWER BALL JOINTS..FINALLY FOUND ON INTERNET SITE, THAT THE REAR UPPER AND LOWER LINK BUSHINGS WEAR. THIS CAUSES THE REAR AXLE TO SHIFT, IN EFFECT,,THE REAR AXLE STEERS THE VEHICLE..CAUSE OF THE BAD BUSHINGS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE OR PERFORMED A DEATH WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON 08/27/03 AND THE FRONT STRUTS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED THE TIRES, STRUTS, SHOCKS, AND HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING DAILY ON ALL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WOBBLES MORE VIOLENTLY AS SPEED INCREASES.

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH NISSAN (AS HAS MY REGULAR MECHANIC FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS) REGARDING CHRONIC & PERVASIVE EMISSIONS PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV. MY VEHICLE IS REGISTERED WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS CASE #5283891. AFTER THE LATEST REJECT STICKER DUE TO EMISSIONS SAFETY, A DIFFERENT MECHANIC BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLASSIFICATION FE98-001A/REFERENCE NTB98-062A ADDRESSING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THREE MECHANICS (INCLUDING A NISSAN DEALER) VERIFIED THAT THIS WAS THE LATEST PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I WAS SEVERAL WEEKS PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, I WAS WAY UNDER THE MILEAGE LIMIT & THE MECHANIC FELT I SHOULD PUSH THE ISSUE WITH NISSAN, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE REPEATED PROBLEMS. NISSAN WOULD NOT HONOR IT SO I PAID FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF. WHEN I DID, THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS MOST LIKELY A RECALL & ADVISED ME TO GO BACK TO NISSAN & PUSH. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM NISSAN ABOUT EXTENDED WARRANTIES OR RECALLS. I FOUND THIS ADDRESS ON THE WEB & THOUGHT I SHOULD SHARE THIS WITH YOU. I AM ADDITIONALLY LOOKING FOR OTHER CONSUMER AGENCIES TO HELP PURSUE THIS WITH NISSAN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHAKES AS IF THERE MAY BE A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR THE SUSPENSION, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR INSPECTION AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP.

FRONT LEFT STRUT TOWER IS ROTTED AND CRACKING WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON. THE RIGHT SIDE LOOKS BRAND NEW, YET THE LEFT SIDE IS IN DANGER OF FAILURE. *NM

1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER, NO EVENT, ENGINE BURNED UP. UNDER HOOD FIRE. HAD TO REPLACE ALL COMPONENTS OR BUY A NEW ENGINE. *JB

#1 AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING - CAR 7 YEARS OLD- MANUAL SAYS CHECK AT 10 YEARS -NISSAN CHARGED $80.00 TO CHECK- TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $750.00 TO FIX- I REFUSED- LIGHT IS OFF SINCE THEY CHECKED IT- WAS TOLD IT WILL COME BACK ON-AIRBAG IS SUPPOSED TO WORK WHILE LIGHT IS OFF -#2 ALSO CORROSION-SUPPORT BAR FELL OFF -DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NM

NO CRASH AND NO INJURY. VEHICLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH BEGINS TO ROCK VIOLENTLY SIDE TO SIDE. INTERNET POSTINGS DESCRIBES A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN UNIBODY CHASSIS THAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. REAT BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT SAFETY PROBLEM. *NM

CLUTCH BAD. *JB