Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan pathfinder. The contact received the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v244000 (steering , suspension) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the contact observed an loud abnormal sound from the driver side and the steering wheel failed. In addition, the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 229,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
1997 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems
26 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 130,000.
- owner complaints
- 26
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 130,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Linkages: rod: relay: connecting1
- Linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
- Hydraulic power assist system1
- Column locking: anti-theft device1
- Column1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Nissan Pathfinder steering problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related 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
What 1997 Nissan Pathfinder owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The vehicle lost struts, steering rack, and has serious issues that have not been resolved. I spoke with the dealer and they said they don't need to fix. The entire front end is falling apart.
Driving truck got so bad it was hard to keep in road..would go side to side on highway and turns were not easy to say in lane.took to clarktire co ..they replaced lots of parts and said mounts for shocks and struts were pretty badly rusted causing excessive movement of those.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle independently swayed from left to right independently. The contact reduced speed and was able to gain control of the vehicle. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Steering shaft was broken in 2011 ( replaced with used part ) steering shaft was broken in 2013 ( replaced with new nissan original part) steering shaft was broken 10 2014 (replaced with new nissan original part) corroded strut tower. Steering shaft resting on the corroded strut tower/ steering tower breaking while driving. In one of the incidents, it broke on a major street in the district of columbia ( 11th and pennsylvania ave ) cost of towing was $150.00.
When I drive at highway speeds the truck will start to rock and fishtail at random and erratic times causing a potentially dangerous accident. I have read thousands of other peoples experience with this same incident and feel nissan should correct there engineering failure.
At around 120000 miles the vehicle began to sway uncontrollably. Mechanics could find nothing wrong. Only way to stop the sway is to tap the brakes or accelerate. Happens quite often and is downright scary at times. Also the entire underbody / frame is extremely corroded. Vehicle should not corrode that quickly. All underbody parts are extremely rusted.
At random... This pathfinder will go into a crazy death wobble, to the point to were it wants to put your head and the heads of your children threw the windows. I have replaced the shocks in the car. But yet the problem remains. My car is at the nissan dealership right now racking up a bill that I can not afford, for something they will most likely not be able to fix. I have read a hundred complaints on line that describe the same problem to a t. God help us!
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 127,000 and the current mileage was 157,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 nissan pathfinder. The vehicle was included and repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v244000 (steering:column). While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver of the vehicle noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated the failure was not due to the recall and did not inform the contact of the repairs needed. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated that the strut housing was corroded and the recall repair had failed. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 166,600.
Questions about the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder steering
Does the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder have steering problems?
Owners have filed 26 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 130,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Nissan Pathfinder have bad steering?
The Nissan Pathfinder model years with the most steering complaints are 2006 (41 complaints), 2001 (35 complaints) and 2000 (27 complaints).
Other 1997 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Suspension 105Transmission 19Body 17Engine 17Acceleration 16Tires 16Brakes 15Airbags 13Fuel system 10Seat belts 5Electrical 3Wheels 3Driver assistance 2Visibility 2
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