2001 Nissan Pathfinder: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Body · IL

Rear mount of front passenger control arm cracked where mounts to frame. Very little metal left where bolts hold bracket to body.

Filed Mar 25, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 164,000 miles · PA

The sub-frame/cradle 54400-0w00 on the passenger side is rotted out to the point that it will not pass a pa state inspection. This was found by my mechanic while he was replacing the front rotors and brakes. My mechanic has ordered a new sub frame + bolts to replace the rotted out sub-frame. I wonder how many other sub-frames are rotted out on pathfinders from 1996 to 2004 which is when nissan used this particular part. My concern is if this part fails completely what will happen??? I have restricted driving my pathfinder until the new part is installed. I think someone should look into this problem, because when it fails and it will someone will get hurt or even killed? The control arms mounted to this part which controls steering. This part plus labor will cost me about $1500.00.

Filed Mar 23, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 209,000 miles · GA

I purchased this vehicle used. We did not go over 40 on the test drive. The next day once we approached 55 MPH the rear of the vehicle began to violently wobble back and forth. We decided to research the issue and tons of complaints were cited about the same"death wobble" issue. We had done and alignment, rotated and balanced the tires and it helped slightly but the wobble is still there. It seems there is a problem with the rear bushings and /or control arms. From what I have read. Why has this not been recalled with the hundreds of complaints? We have not priced it out but seems to be a costly fix.

Filed Mar 16, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 72,000 miles · TX

I was on the frwy. And my nissan pathfinder started to wobble like, it was going to flip over. I was driving about 60-65 and was headed in a straight direction. I took my foot off of the accelerator and the wobble seemed to go away. I was on the frwy. So I sped up to the legal limit, and now I'm going around a curve and, the wobble was intense , it scared me to death. Since, I have had the struts, shocks replaced twice. I've done a lot of research on this wobble...it is called the death wobble...it is a problem with the materials used making, the bushings in the rear suspension. Even when these bushings (the same material bushings) are replaced it can and will happen again. People driving around me when this wobble starts... They cannot get away from me fast enough. This is very expensive to repair especially, most mechanics do process of elimination, starting with shocks, tires, struts, upper and lower control arms, rear arm assembly,ball joints and wheel bearings need I say more. On ask.com, the death wobble is well known. This needs to be investigated. This is the second pathfinder I have owned , I purchase nissan products because they are good for 2 to 300k. I love my pathfinder , but I don't want to die in it or have an accident, killing anybody . The bushings need to be made of some other material so that this will quit happening. When all is stable, it starts all over again within a few thousand miles.

Filed Jun 21, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 93,000 miles · WV

Vehicle has spent its life in upstate new york ware weather conditions wet and roads are salted I washed under carriage regularly to prevent corrosion but after winter the vehicles front support bracket connected to the frame that holds the front axle and lower control arm to the frame separated from the frame causing the front wheel to separate as well I was very lucky I noticed the noise and did not take drive it at any speed because the result would have been catastrophic I feel that it is a flaw in the design and that a recall should mandatory for nissan.

Filed Sep 2, 2012 · Body, Steering · 100,000 miles · MA

Excessive rust, corrosion and holes in sub frame of 2001 nissan pathfinder where the passenger side control arm connects to the sub frame of the vehicle. Also excessive rust in whole front end of vehicle. Did have vehicle recall id # 88860 - suspension:front addressed however nissan did not address excessive rust and hole on right side of vehicle near area where control arm connects to sub frame.

Filed Jan 12, 2012 · Suspension · OH

Driver reported rubbing, grinding noise in passenger front end when turning vehicle at speeds over 40 MPH. Vehicle taken for repair. Specialist reported major corrosion under entire front end of vehicle. Bracket/mount for passenger side lower control arm 60% erroded. Major seperation at weld point in unibody/frame just behind front passenger side tire. Taken to authorised nissan dealership. Dealership identified major corrosion on both front strut towers. Both front strut towers repaired iaw recall ntb11-064 r1107 frame damage/corrosion not repaired. Nissan dealership did confirm damage but stated that recall ntb11-064 r1107 does not address/include corrosion damage to frame. Initial repair specialist advised not operating vehicle due imminent failure causing loss of vehicle control. Will contact nissan USA.

Filed Jul 19, 2011 · Steering · 80,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel would shake and a loud clunking noise could be heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the front passenger side control arm needed to be replaced due to rusting. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there were no related recalls. Approximately one and a half months later the contact received the recall notice associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 11v244000 (steering:column), which was not related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Clunking noise heard when starting to accelerate and when slowing down (foot off accelerator) of stopping. Side control arm rusted and needed to be welded back to be reattached to underbody frame. Updated 10/13/2011 *ln

Filed Jan 14, 2011 · Suspension · 180,000 miles · CA

I have a 2001 nissan pathfinder. It sway from side to side while I'm driving. It doesn't have to be fast or slow. First, I changed the front shock absorber. Not much improvement, then the ball joint. It improved about halfway. But now after about a month, it's even worse. I did some research in the internet and surprise, I'm not the only one having this problem. It looks like a lot of pathfinder owners have the same issue. I know my car is old but quite a few have the same issue before they hit 100k miles. I think this is a design problem or parts problem and should be recall. So far, I didn't see any death or accident reported because of this but I'm sure it's bound to happen. It's dangerous driving this thing around with the swaying specially in high speed.

Filed Mar 31, 2009 · Suspension · 99,000 miles · FL

No crash yet but I do have a fish tailing, side to side wobbling that appears to be a design defect from nissan. I own a 2001 nissan pathfinder with 99,000 miles and at speeds over 50 miles an hour, the truck will start wobbling side to side due to a rut in the road or a gust of wind. From what I have been told by several nissan mechanics, the rear upper and lower control arm bushings are bad and deteriorate prematurely, causing the dangerous wobble in the truck. The cost to replace the bushings is $700.00 plus and have to be replaced. Very poor design which will end up causing serious accidents or injuries. Thank you.