1996 Nissan Pathfinder Steering Problems

When you're driving above 40 mph and take your foot off the gas pedal, your car rocks back and forth in an uncontrollable way. This is a serious stability issue that affects your ability to control the vehicle safely. The problem likely involves your steering, braking, or electronic stability control system, and you should have a mechanic inspect these systems immediately.

When your Pathfinder reached about 50 mph, it would shake violently side to side, making it very difficult to control and dangerous to drive. The Nissan dealership found that the rear suspension links and bushings were worn out and replaced all four rear suspension bars to fix the problem. This shaking could potentially cause loss of control at highway speeds.

While driving at 65 mph on the highway, your vehicle suddenly began rolling and shaking violently side-to-side, almost causing you to lose control—even though your steering wheel stayed steady. The body rolling only stopped when you applied the brakes, and this happened multiple times during the trip. After inspection, you noticed severe scuffing on the outside edges of the rear tires, which suggests a problem with the rear axle suspension links. The issue likely requires inspection and replacement of worn suspension components at the rear axle.

While turning at about 30 mph, your steering wheel suddenly jerked side to side repeatedly, causing you to lose control of the vehicle. The car flipped, rolled into a nearby car dealership, and struck two parked vehicles before landing on its roof. You were injured by broken glass and the impact, and later learned there was a recall issued for strut tower housing problems that you weren't notified about before the accident.

Your rear strut is showing rust, and your steering system is making an abnormal popping noise when you drive. A mechanic inspected it but couldn't determine how to fix it, and the manufacturer wouldn't help because of your vehicle's age. Fixing this will likely involve replacing the rusted strut and inspecting the steering components for wear or damage.

Your Pathfinder has multiple aftermarket parts that are old and rusted, causing various systems to fail even after you've replaced many components. You're also having difficulty finding replacement parts specifically made for your 1996 model year, sometimes having to use 1997 Pathfinder parts instead. The rust and age of these aftermarket parts may be affecting your steering, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Addressing this may require replacing corroded aftermarket components with OEM or quality replacement parts designed for your specific model year.

Your windshield wipers are unreliable and don't work consistently. You're also experiencing persistent steering problems that didn't improve after adding power steering fluid, and the undercarriage has significant rust and rot. The steering issue may require inspection of the steering system components and suspension, while the wiper problem may need a new wiper motor or electrical repair.

Your Pathfinder's front end wobbles when driving, starting at 60 mph when you first bought it and now happening even at 30 mph. You've had the alignment done and tires balanced, but the wobbling keeps getting worse and the steering wheel feels loose. This could indicate worn suspension components or steering parts that need replacement.

Your mechanic found severe corrosion on your front suspension housing and struts during service. You're also experiencing steering wheel vibration when driving at 50 mph. Nissan previously issued a recall (Campaign 11V244000) for steering and suspension on your vehicle, but the repair was never completed. A technician will need to inspect the corroded suspension components and likely replace the affected struts and housing.

Your Pathfinder was deemed too corroded to repair under a recall and Nissan offered you a free rental car while processing compensation. However, the rental company required you to purchase collision and theft insurance ($9/day) on the new rental vehicle since your personal auto insurance doesn't cover it. Nissan is now refusing to reimburse you for this required insurance, even though it was mandatory for the rental and you wouldn't be liable if the car were stolen.

TRIED CALLING NISSAN RE: RECALL FOR BRAKES AND STEERING, AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 56 MPH VEHICLE WENT OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD AND LOST CONTROL, AND ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES, EJECTING THE DRIVER FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, DRIVER DIED AT THE SCENE. *AK

CONSUMER STATES LEFT FRONT TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED.*JB

CONSUMER STATES STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*JB

WHILE EXITING HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL WENT ONE WAY AND TIRES WENT OTHER WAY. CONSUMER SAID STEERING ROD WAS STRIPPED.*AK

RECALL 96V034000/ STEERING GEAR BOX. DEALER CANNOT PROVIDE PARTS FOR RECALL FOR 3 MONTHS. *AK

STEERING LOCKS UP IN TIGHT, FAST TURN - REQUIRES EFFORT TO CORRECT. *AK

THERE IS A LEAKAGE COMING FROM STRUTS. ALSO, STEERING LOCKS UP AND VEHICLE WON'T START UP. *AK

POWER STEERING HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED, VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 40-50 MPH WHEN LOSS OF CONTROL (SPINNING) DUE TO POSSIBLE STEERING FAILURE CAUSING VEHICLE COLLISION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN HEAD INJURY. MJS

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. *SLC

RECALL 96V034000; HAS BEEN SERVICED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS ONE MONTH LATER. *AK

POWER STEERING SWITCH FAILED.

STEERING RECALL WORK DENIED BY ONE DEALERSHIP.

VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT/RIGHT; ALSO, THERE IS A CLUNKING, INTERMITTENT, IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING MAY BE HITTING OT BREAKING. *AK

DRIVING AT SPEED OF 50MPH, WHEN CHANGING LANES, DUE THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND HWY CONDITION, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND TILTED OVER. *AK