While driving between 25-30 MPH suddenly there was a clucking noise. Consumer pulled off the road to investigate the noise. Upon exiting the vehicle consumer noticed that front right tire was sticking out at an angle. Also, shock absorber spring was sticking out. Vehicle was towed to a dealership, who was unable to resolve the problem.
1997 Nissan Pathfinder suspension complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 105, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Rear end of car sways violently and unexpectedly, back and forth, at speeds above 45 MPH. Started at about 75,000 miles. Got new tires, shocks and struts, even dealer was either unable ,or unwilling to diagnose problem correctly. Finally was informed by dealership service department that a recent service bulletin indicated problem was due to premature failling of rear rear support link bushings(about $1000 to fix). Nisson needs to address this very serious safety issue.
While driving 35 MPH, another vehicle suddenly stopped in front of the consumer's vehicle which caused the consumer to veer off the road and hit a curb. The vehicle's axle broke and was towed to the dealership for analysis. *jb the brake system resulted in a complete lost of control of the vehicle. The vehicle pulled to the right, the accelerator pedal would stick, there was a rattling/buzzing sound upon acceleration, the brakes slipped, and the accelerator did not respond at times. *scc prior to the incident the struts leaked and the left front stabilizer bar was replaced.
In mid 2002, my 1997 nissan pathfinder developed a severe rear sway problem. At highway speeds, the truck would sway right to left so severely and suddenly that I felt like I would lose control. When I slowed down the swaying would stop. This swaying was especially disconcerting during wet road conditions. When I contacted my local nissan dealer, they had never heard of this problem. I replaced the front struts and rear shocks without any improvement. Then I had the frame adjusted, without improvement. Between my local repair shop searching technical bulletins and my search of consumer sites they found my rear control arm and upper and lower bushings needed to be replaced at a cost of $570. Overall, I have been very pleased with my pathfinder, but nissan needs to be aware of this safety issue and also notify other pathfinder owners.
My 1997 pathfinder's body rolls dangerously left to right while at highway speeds. It is very pronounced and continues until you slow down. I had new front struts and tires installed by a national tire dealer and later found out from one of the tech's with experience with nissan that it is a common flaw on this model. He said that the trailing arms/links fail on the rear suspension. He further said that updated links are available from nissan. There also have been factory bulletins on this but I have not received a recall notice. I believe the condition to be dangerous enough to warrant one. The first time it happens it could result in a life threatening accident. I had my wife and two small children in the car the first time it happened unexpectedly. I think its terrible that they would not have issued a recall since they were aware of the problem. I think a recall should be issued and that it should be repaired at no cost to consumer since it involves a safety issue.
The back end of the car begins a violent wobble unexpectedly at 50 to 70 miles per hour on the straight and level. After much trouble, the dealer has confirmed that bushing failures in the rear axle link assemblys are the culprit, and the car has only 59,000 miles on it. This is erxtremely dangerous, and shocking that a worn part could cause unexpected loss of control of the vehicle.
The exhaust manifold is cracked.
When driving at 50mph or higher if vehicle hit a pump or uneven patch on freeway vehicle sways and rocks, making driver unable to control steering.
Problem: the pathfinder sways/rocks "like a boat in water" when it hits small bumps on the freeway. The problem gets exacerbated if I am driving over 60mph.
Suspension causing vehicle to sway violently when going 50mph.*ak. Consumer states the tires wore out at 20,000 miles, the shocks and struts were replaced at 42,000 miles, consumer was informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle after complaining about the vehicle swaying, however the vehicle was taken to another shop and the trailing arms were replaced which then corrected the problem, also the power steering fluid was leaking, the muffler was replaced due to rust and the exhaust manifold was cracked due to stress, the front differential pinion seal was leaking, the center cap that goes on the stock wheels on the front seat was installed.
Vehicle was rattling on right side. Took vehicle to mechanic, and when mechanic moved vehicle, the right front wheel fell off. Mechanic indicated strut had broken.*ak
While traveling on the highway, the car started rocking side to side as if it wanted to roll over. Had the shocks and springs replaced. This wasn't the problem. Apparently because of a design flaw, the shocks wear out faster than normal. But the swaying was caused by the rear bushings going bad and wearing faster than normal. Apparently nissan knows about the design flaw but isn't willing to address it or issue a recall.
The feared ford explorers that roll over and the 96-98 nissan pathfinders utilize the same frame! The problem is that the engine weight is too much for the front suspension, thus, ford's roll over and nissans ruin their tires and suspension. I was made aware of the problem by an employee that worked making the frames for both vehicles. I immediately bought new rims and tires (wider for more stability and better wear). It made the situation better, but the front suspension is ruined. With the extra weight on the front, both vehicles have a noticable "pigeon toe" while driving and over bumps. The front tired bow out towards the bottom to compensate for the extra weight in the front. Nissan knows this is a problem and refuses to do anything about it. Vehicle now is very scarry to ride in, I refuse to pay $1,500 for a whole new fron suspension which is junk to begin with. Please help! Any info, please contact me at: [email protected] - thank you!
While traveling at hwy speed of 50 MPH the vehicle commence to severely vibrate and shake out of control; dealer notified and repairs was made. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.
At speeds above 45 MPH vehicle for no reason suddenly begins to rock rapidly from side to side. First encountered when driving vehicle back to maine. When arrived in maine had front struts and rear shocks replaced. Problem continues. At highway speed if you even slighly release the accelerator pedal to slow down or coast, vehicle immediately begins to rapidly rock side to side. Called nissan, they noted no one has reported incident. Have since downloaded service bulliten # ntb98001, date 9804, the federal safety agency item # sb600088- component suspension. Staes in part "... May exhibit excessive play in front/rear suspension." please advise what service bulliten refers to. What rights does service bulliten provide to the consumer? How do I obtain correction from manufacturer? What became of issue following the service bulletin. Has the federal safety agency received similar complaints?
While traveling 50 MPH or more vehicle would rock back and forth, making it hardto steer vehicle. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further infomation on this matter.
The suspension on this car had to be replaced. The problem resulted in the back end of the vehicle wobbling violently at highway speed. The cause was the failure of rubber bushings on the rear axle link assy. This vehicle is a 4wd with an "off road" package. Even though this vehicle has never been used for off road driving, the suspension still failed and caused an unsafe condition on the highway. The required parts are backordered.
Just notice this problem at about 66,000miles vehicles wobbles side to side at acelleration 55-70mph and continues if you hit a dip, bump in the road don't know what is causing this problem need help many people have complained but nissan doesn't either.
Consumer took the vehicle in for a front end alignment when mechanic with national and battery discovered that front strut was blown,and that was causing misalignment. Both front struts had to be replaced at the same time. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
The struts went at 52,000 miles $800 to replace, exhaust manifold needs to be replaced(warranty). Today the news that the speedometer was just"worn out " $235, the rear suspension lincs were "worn out" $350, the intake pinium(sp?) was leaking $660. Something has to be done about nissan and their "worn out" vehicles. It's not even paid for yet!
When driving at approximately 25-70 MPH vehicle swayed back and forth which could cause loss of vehicle control. Consumer has replaced tires/ struts/ shocks, and did wheel alignment, but defect kept occurring.
I contacted my nissan dealer the first time the struts went out. They replaced only 1 strut not 2. When the struts went out the 2nd time I contated the dealer they said it was not their problem. When I took it to another car repair shop they advised me you never replace only 1 strut. I contacted the dealer about this they said too bad. My pathfinder still had the banging noice in the front. I took it to a couple of car places they seemed to know of the problem with this particular nissan fault. The next time the struts went out I was in idaho visiting family. It as again a very scary ordeal. I was driving on a very windy canyon road with the river right beside me. I had a number of children in the car. I had it towed to a dodge dealer in emmett idaho who advised me they knew of a report out on this make and year of vehicle. This is the first I heard of nissan acknowledging the problem. I have contacted them numerous times since. They are not willing to do anything about this or reinburse me for all the expense. My childen and I could of been killed a number of times with this reoccuring problem and nissan did not even bother to contact us. What is my choices on action to take against the company? Please help me make this large company listen to one very dissatisfied and concerned person.
Vehicle vibrates & rocks side to side between 60-70mph. Warranty has expired. Consumer will contact the manufacturer.
When lease expired nissan expected payment for excessive tire wear which was obviously caused by a manufacturer's defect. Nissan dealers treat their customers like garbage and rip them off by blaming them for defects they know exist but refuse to admit. Numerous complaints about high pitched front end noise and shimmying in the steering basically been ignored until the shimmying made it difficult to drive. I paid over $200 to get my front end realligned at 24,000 miles and was told this is common with suvs'. Not according to the federal safety agency complaints database. Nissan has everyone beat hands down! Now nissan won't allow me to dispute my end of lease report when I called the number printed on the report to dispute reports. What a bunch of scheming liars! I will never give one cent to nissan again and I will spread the word to all my friends and family.
The suspension on this car had to be replaced. The problem resulted in the back end of the vehicle wobbling violently at highway speed. The cause was the failure of rubber bushings on the rear axle link assy. This vehicle is a 4wd with an "off road" package. Even though this vehicle has never been used for off road driving, the suspension still failed and caused an unsafe condition on the highway. The required parts are backordered at nissan so I suspect this may be a bigger problem than just my vehicle.
Since purchasing this vehicle, I've had complained about the alignment (taken to deal and numerous other places) it has been aligned, tires rotated, balanced, etc. 7 (times) and I was told nothing was wrong hmmmm. Had to have all four tires replaced at 30,740 miles. Nissan denies its a defect on their car. I've repeatedly complained about a clunking noise in the rear (or brakes) again "no problems found--cant duplicate problem". Well, now I'm told my transmission needs to be replaced. The front end "steering" if very sensitive and when making a sudden movement, the car overcompensates tossing you throughout the cab. Cd and radio as well as antenna motor have recently been replaced. This car is a lemon and dangerous!!!!!! I want my money back!!!!!!!
Premature tire wear. Need two new front tires after 28,000 miles! Contacted the dealer and they advised that it was the improper tire that was selected for the vehicle. I contacted the tire manufacturer and they advised it was poor engineering of the front end suspension on nissan's part. Nissan has admitted that it has received numerous complaints about this problem.( dot number: tire size: p235/70r15 )
Vehicle experiences problems with suspension system which has caused premature wear of the tires, unable to be rectified after several attempts. Mjs
I feel, as many other 96-97 pathfinder customers do, that excessive and uneven (cupping) tire wear and premature strut failure, appear to be symptoms of a larger problem with the suspension of the 96-97, possibly 98 nissan pathfinders. Nissan will not admit there is a potentially huge problem. I have web postings/e-mails confirming many customers with the same and worse problems than my own. Two postings report accidents. One driver of a 1998 pathfinder lost control as the car mysteriously veered to the left, across traffic, and the driver broke a finger trying regain control. The other posting recounts a strut completely failing while the truck was in motion and sent the car spinning. Nissan offered to replace the one tire that was "chewed up beyond all recognition." I believe nissan is ignoring this dangerous situation in the hopes of avoiding an expensive recall. Is someone going to have to get hurt before they listen? I have contacted corporate in gardena on numerous occassions only to be told that this is "normal wear and tear" on my vehicle. Other customers repeat the same ridiculous reaction from nissan. I have a meeting with the nissan regional service manager during the week of july 17th. He has copies of the postings/e-mails that I metioned earlier sustantiating the size of this problem. The meeting should prove interesting. Thank you for your time.
Problems started at 2,600 miles. Tires needed to be replaced at 3,000, car shakes between 45 and 60 MPH. Brakes vibrate when applied, and car shimmys to a stop. Vehicle had $6,000.00 in repairs to fix a rear end thump. Front end "bottoms out" when going over large bumps, new struts were installed ,now problem is worse. Vibration noise is non-fixable according to nissan. Nissan service claims all problems are inherent to the vehicle.
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