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.
The worst 1996 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension64
- Steering24
- Brakes15
- Engine14
- Tires13
- Transmission12
- Airbags11
- Body11
- Electrical11
- Seat belts6
- Acceleration5
- Driver assistance4
- Lights3
- Wheels3
- Fuel system2
- Visibility2
- Locks1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
Recalls 3
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 11V244000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 96V031000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 96V034000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
Defect investigations
Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the federal safety agency 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.
PE11004
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder 87
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (DRIFT) and/or steering wheel off-center
- 12 volt battery testing for in-service vehicles service information
- Silicone-based lubricant or grease CAN damage electrical components service information
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Intelligent key replacement or swapping between vehicles
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Wheel bearing collision damage
- Strut and shock absorber replacement guidelines
- Nissan: SRS precautions during service;improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation...
1996 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 18-19 | 16 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14-15 | 17 | 15-16 |
What 1996 Nissan Pathfinder owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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: the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10695520 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10583582 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10575024 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10523182 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10478531 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10448749 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10429267 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10417692 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10400070 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10380091 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10379998 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10374836 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10347481 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10345594 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10341396 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10319474 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10292498 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10280742 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10278532 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10272428 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10262357 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10261360 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10222448 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10220528 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10218798 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10218166 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10217609 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10214503 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10212982 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10212954 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10202233 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10198385 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10192615 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10192045 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10177396 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10176855 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10175863 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10174818 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10172078 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10171995 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10096233 the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 10073991.
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.
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.
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
Compare the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
Is the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Owners have filed 159 complaints about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, 1.2 times a typical Pathfinder model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder?
Suspension, with 64 complaints, typically around 121,000 miles. Next is steering (24).
How many recalls does the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder have?
3 recalls, covering suspension, service brakes, hydraulic and steering.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 11V244000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Pathfinder have bad suspension?
The Nissan Pathfinder model years with the most suspension complaints are 1997 (105 complaints), 2001 (68 complaints) and 1996 (64 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder range from 15 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 18-19 highway.
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