1) slightly applied gas on a turn at 35 MPH 2) loss of traction and lost control of the vehicle and skidded to 180 degree turn. Vehicle's rear end also wobbles dangerously at 50 to 65 MPH upon acceleration/deceleration. 3) so far new struts and shocks but no solution to the vehicle's performance.
1996 Nissan Pathfinder suspension complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 64 of 64, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Noticed back end of my pathfinder swaying at speeds 60-70 MPH. Brought to my mechanic and was told rear bushings are bad and need to be replaced. My mechanic said it is a bad part but not yet a recall by nissan but should be. I have found alot of similar complains on the web by other nissan pathfinder owners. I also found recalls on other nissan's for this same problem but not the pathfinder. I feel it is very dangerous and should be a recall!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dangerous wobble of car when on the highway. From reports I've read on the internet, seems to be caused by degrading control arm bushings. Fix may be to replace all 8-10 bushings and/or control-link arms. Problem seems to be common on '96-97 nissan pathfinders.
Accelerator pedal sticks. When placing vehicle into gear must apply pressure to accelerator to release it. Subsequently, it releases suddenly in a way which causes sudden acceleration. Also vehicle shakes while driving . Dealer has replaced ball joints, but problem. Still exists.
This car is a 1996 nissan pathfinder with a slew of problems ranging from: ticking gas, and brake pedal, steering wheel shakes at highway speeds/ vibrating, heat shield, uneven wear of tire,leaking sunroof.
Vehicle sways all over the road. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that struts were bad.
Danger vehicle rocks violently after hitting a bump. Front struts changed 3 times (only 128000 miles on SUV). Both left and right exhaust manifold were cracked and replaced before 100000 miles.
Was driving approximately 40mph when front wheel shifted to left. Strut bar had snapped on driver's side. It almost separated from axle. Had vehicle towed to dealership, and mechanic gave no indication of cause of breakage. Claimed wear and tear usage. *ak
Consumer states odometer would roll, consumer took vehicle to a garage and was advised it looked like someone had rolled it back, possible odometer fraud.
All 8 rear bushings have failed. It was first diagnosed by lithia nissan. We had two second opinions done by outside mechanics, who both felt that the rubber inside had turned into liquid and ran out. You could see the rubber hanging down in strands. Both mechanics felt that it was a faulty part and the damage was not from wear and tear. Nissan will not recognize it as a factory defect and offers no warranty. The whole hind end of my pathfinder fishtails around, the hind end has nothing to keep the rear wheels square. I am unable to drive it, until the parts are replaced, which I am in the middle of fighting with them about. (I was originally told my problem was the shocks and struts so I replaced them first).
Dealer said they could not locate the source of the thumping sound.
We had some major replacement of parts in the rear of the vehicle about 2 years ago but don't remember if it made the same sound as before or not. Dealer said it was the struts but those are in the front and the sound is coming form the rear.
Consumer took car to dealer to have tires rotated. Mechanic could not do a front end alignment because struts were leaking, and causing tires to break down. Tires won't hold to the ground.
Both front struts have leaked until empty of fluid. When noticed, an appointment was made with nissan dealer. I was advised that there was no problem. Independent dealer was later consulted and I was advised that the steering problems I was experiencing was due to empty/leaking front stuts
There is a leakage coming from struts. Also, steering locks up and vehicle won't start up.
My pathfinder was purchased new from the local nissan dealer. Within one year the dealer replaced both front struts. They told me the struts were "leaking." I got a letter from nissan asking me to bring it in to have 6 or 7 possible defects checked. One of them was "unusual tire wear" which many pathfinders had had problems with. The letter said that if my tires showed this unusual wear that the tires would be replaced. At the time garrand's told me that my tires were fine, but less than 2 months later I was told by a local tire dealership that my tires were ruined, and badly in need of replacement. The letter from nissan also contained a "replacement page" to the owner's manual, on which it recommended that the tires now be rotated every 2,500 miles from now on! About six months ago I started to hear a loud banging noise coming from the front suspension of my pathfinder whenever I hit a bump. I brought the pathfinder to garrands and they told me that my right front strut was leaking and needed to be replaced at a cost of $775. I wanted a second opinion, so I brought my pathfinder to a midas dealer and found out that the noise was in fact coming from the sway bar stabalizer link and not the strut. When I questioned garrands about this later they told me that the stabalizer link is part of the strut, and they have to be replaced together. I sent a long letter to nissan in which I described in detail the problems that I have had with my pathfinder. A month later when I heard nothing back from them, I called nissan again and was told that they would not replace the struts or the stabalizer link. I was told "it is rubber, ya know! Rubber wears out." I have heard that pathfinders have acquired a reputation for ruining tires and strut failure. My pathfinder has 44000 miles and needs new struts again! This should not be happening!
No summary
Consumer was driving on the highway, approximately 50-55 MPH on wet road conditions all of sudden the vehicle hydroplaned, resulting in rollover, and vehicle landed in the middle of the divider. Air bags failed to deploy properly, causing chemical to leak out and partly deflate them. Dealer/manufacturer notified and refused to accept responsibility, seeking help from the federal safety agency. *ak
Front end suspension poor performance causing premature wearing of the tires.
Consumer was entering onto the highway, traveling about 40-50 MPH in rainy weather conditions when the vehicle flipped over three times. Occupants were trapped in vehicle. The air bags deployed, and occupants inhaled chemicals escaping from air bags, causing occupants to choke. Consumer has contacted the dealer. *ak power steering failed.
While moving at 40 MPH on a previuosly plowed road, the rear end suddenly lost traction causing the vehicle to spin clockwise and crash into a snow bank.
Wheel bearing nuts and bolts failed.
Rear differential failure.
Vehicle pulls to left/right; also, there is a clunking, intermittent, in the steering column that sounds like something may be hitting ot breaking.
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