1996 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems

Your vehicle's rear end sways or rocks side-to-side when driving at highway speeds or changing lanes, making it feel unstable and like it might rollover. Even after replacing the sway bar, shocks, and tires, the problem returned — now occurring mainly during deceleration and increasingly noticeable during city driving. The issue appears to be excessive play in the front and rear suspension that may require inspection of suspension components for wear, damage, or loose connections.

Your Pathfinder experiences dangerous side-to-side shaking at speeds below highway speeds, which could lead to loss of control and a crash. This is a known defect that Nissan dealerships are aware of, but it hasn't been recalled. The repair is expensive, and many owners spend money on incorrect fixes because the real cause isn't widely known by independent mechanics. Fixing this issue typically involves replacing worn or defective suspension components that cause the violent shaking.

Your Pathfinder rocks violently side to side at different speeds, with the swaying starting from the rear and feeling like the vehicle might tip over. The problem temporarily improves when you ease off the gas or speed up. This is a serious handling issue that needs inspection by a mechanic to identify worn or failed rear suspension components.

Your Pathfinder experiences violent wobbling in the front end, especially at speeds above 50 mph, when turning, or when the back seat is loaded with passengers or cargo—a problem that worsens with weight in the rear. The wobbling feels like a tire blowout and makes the vehicle hard to control; slowing down is the only way to stop it. Replacing tires and struts or installing heavy-duty shocks hasn't solved the issue. This likely requires a complete front-end suspension inspection and realignment, possibly including replacement of control arm bushings, ball joints, or steering components.

Your Pathfinder's front axle assembly rocks and sways heavily at highway speeds, causing violent side-to-side shaking that feels constant and unsafe. You've tried finding replacement parts online and at parts stores but find the dealership price ($700-$1,400) unaffordable. The fix will likely involve replacing the front axle assembly or its internal components.

When you release the gas pedal while driving at normal speeds, your Pathfinder's rear end sways, shakes, and rocks back and forth as if the rear axle is twisting separately from the vehicle. This swaying happens every time you accelerate or decelerate and when the transmission shifts gears, and you also hear a popping noise from the back when turning corners. The issue likely involves worn or damaged suspension components connecting the rear axle to the frame.

After having your front suspension repaired under a recall, the strut housing on the driver's side started to detach from your vehicle, causing a knocking sound. The dealer found rust damage on the passenger side strut housing as well. The dealer offered to repair both strut housings or buy back the vehicle, but the manufacturer hasn't confirmed this is a defect.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 166,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH OR THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DUE TO EXCESSIVE SHAKING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE, BUSHINGS, AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 96 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED AN UNCONTROLLABLE SWAY OR WOBBLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VERY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. APPARENTLY IT'S SOURCE IS THE FAILURE OF THE REAR LINK BUSHINGS. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, EVERY VEHICLE WITH THIS SUSPENSION WILL EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM GIVEN ENOUGH LENGTH OF SERVICE. ALSO, THERE IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE FIX, WITH BUSHINGS COSTING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE, AND REQUIRING A HYDRAULIC PRESS TO INSTALL THE NEW BUSHINGS (SOMETHING I DON'T HAVE IN MY GARAGE). RECALL SEARCHES HAVE IDENTIFIED RECALLS FOR ISSUES SUCH AS POTENTIAL CORROSION POSSIBLY AFFECTING STEERING, REPLACEMENT LIGHTS NOT HAVING ENOUGH AMBER COLOR, AND THICKNESS OF THE CARPET PADDING. IF THESE ISSUES ARE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL, WHY IS SUSPENSION FAILURE NOT? I FEEL SAFE IN SAYING THAT THIS ISSUE HAS UNDOUBTEDLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND PERHAPS DEATH, WHETHER OR NOT ANYONE CARES TO ADMIT IT. I ALSO KNOW THAT MINE IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA REGARDING THIS ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT SAFE!!!

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR CONDITIONS ON SMOOTH PAYMENT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SWAYING AND WOBBLING IN A SEVERE MANNER, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PATHFINDER. AS I WAS NOT IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD SAFELY STOP, I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE SOME DISTANCE AND THE SWAYING AND WOBBLING CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND AM DISMAYED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AS THIS IS A HIDDEN DEFECT. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SHOWED HIM MY FINDINGS FROM MY RESEARCH, AND CONFIRMED THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 96 NISSAN PATHFINDER, I'VE NOTICED THAT AFTER 30 MILES PER HOUR MY VEHICLE STARTS TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND REDUCE THE SPEED FOR THE VEHICLE TO EVENTUALLY STOP THE SWAYING. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THEIR PROBLEM BUT YET DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE A PRIORITY AND RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEMS. I CAN NO LONGER PICKUP MY GRANDSON AT DAYCARE BECAUSE WE'RE AFRAID THAT THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT. SO BASICALLY I CAN ONLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITHIN TOWN LIMITS WHILE DRIVING AS IF I WAS AN ELDERLY PERSON, AND REFRAINING FROM USING MY VEHICLE. IN TRYING TO FIND THE PARTS IN AFTERMARKET SOURCES, BECAUSE MY MECHANIC CAN ONLY FIND THEM DIRECTLY FROM NISSAN DEALER WHICH ARE ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH IN PRICE, I'VE NOTICED THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEREFORE CONTROL THE BUYING MARKET, SO CUSTOMERS TO SPEND MORE MONEY THAN NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY IN THESE HARD ECONOMIC TIMES WHEN MILLIONS INCLUDING MYSELF ARE UNEMPLOYED AND BARELY MAKING IT! NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS ISSUE, HOW MANY FATALITIES WILL IT TAKE BEFORE THEY ACT ON THIS ISSUE? *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN CLEAR CONDITIONS ON SMOOTH PAYMENT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN SWAYING AND WOBBLING IN A SEVERE MANNER, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE PATHFINDER. AS I WAS NOT IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD SAFELY STOP, I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE SOME DISTANCE AND THE SWAYING AND WOBBLING CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS AND AM DISMAYED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AS THIS IS A HIDDEN DEFECT. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM UNTIL I SHOWED HIM MY FINDINGS FROM MY RESEARCH, AND CONFIRMED THE REAR BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS INHERENT REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY FROM THE REAR WITHOUT ANY ACTION BY THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM IS POOR DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER RESULTING IN A VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETIMES UNCONTROLLABLE DRIVING SITUATION. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES. *TR

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS WOBBLE FROM THE REAR OF MY PATHFINDER AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH. IT IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL IF I DO NOT REDUCE MY SPEED WHICH CAN BE A HAZARD ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE HAS A TERRIBLE WOBBLE, SWAYING MOTION ( LEFT TO RIGHT) THAT RESEMBLES THAT OF ROCKING A BOAT. I HAD THE SHOCKS REPLACED, NEW TIRES, ECT., BUT IT STILL EXIST WHEN YOU GET UP TO ABOUT 60 MPH. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND EVENTUALLY, I AM SURE IT WILL HAPPEN. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM COMPLETELY BAFFLED AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

PATHFINDER 1996 - ALL 8 REAR BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED - THE WHOLE REAR END FISHTAILS AROUND; THE REAR END HAS NOTHING TO KEEP THE REAR WHEELS SQUARE - SWAY BAR STABILIZER LINK - RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE REAR STABILIZERS ARE DEFECTIVE - CAUSES TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL - DRIVER & PASSENGER NECK SNAPS BACK AND FORTH DANGEROUSLY - REAR UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL LINK ROD BUSHINGS DEFECTIVE - WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH - AN INTERNET SEARCH TURNS UP PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE OR ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MOST ARE SAYING IF YOU REPLACE THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS OR THE ENTIRE ARMS ? TSB - DOES NOTHING - NO REPORT OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE - NISSAN HAS STUCK IT'S HEAD IN THE SAND - *TR

REAR END SWAYS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS SO I CHANGED SHOCKS & STRUTS BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, FOUND OUT ITS THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE REAR STABILIZERS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

WHEN TRAVELING 50 MPH GOING EITHER IN LEFT (MOST PREVALENT) OR RIGHT DIRECTION - VEHICLE MAKES A ROCKING MOTION THAT SEEMS TO START IN REAR - GETS WORSE IN TIME - MAY CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL - HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS LOOK AT PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT - HAVE WRITTEN TO NISSAN WITHOUT A RESPONSE. *TR

I BOUGHT A USED NISSAN PATHFINDER 1996 FROM A DEALER ON 2002. THE CAR WORKED FINE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT IT STARTED TO WOBBLE SIDE TO SIDE. THE PROBLEM WAS ESCALATING, I CHANGED TIRES, STRUTS, AXLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. THE WARRANTY FINISH FROM THE DEALER AND BOOM THE PROBLEM GOT HARDER TO FIX DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. IT IS HARD TO SEE THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND I NEED IT FIX. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS HAVING TO DRIVE A CAR THAT SWAYS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE CAR BUT IT IS SITTING ON MY DRIVEWAY WAITING FOR ME TO FIND AN ABSOLUTION. THE DEALER SHOULD OF TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG IF THEY HAD REPORTS. I WAS A NEWBIE BUYING A CAR SO LITTLE DID I KNOW. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT A NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 1996 - I FOUND MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE (SEE POSTS: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/T5LSTPR50NPCO9CTL/P7) - LOCAL MECHANIC HAS INDICATED THE REPAIR ON MINE WOULD BE AROUND $700 - $1000 - THE REAL PROBLEM IS PREMATURE WEAR OF UPPER AND LOWER REAR CONTROL ARMS BUSHINGS (THIS APPLIES TO 1996-2001 APPARENTLY). I DROVE THE VEHICLE FROM OREGON TO CALIFORNIA AND IT WAS A REAL CHALLENGE TO MANAGE THE SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE - THE ONLY WAY TO MITIGATE THE CAR FROM WOBBLING IS TO EITHER REDUCE SPEED OR ACCELERATE. THIS SHOULD HAD BEEN A SAFETY RECALL FROM NISSAN INSTEAD A SERVICE BULLETIN - THE VEHICLE TURNS TO BE QUITE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT FREEWAY SPEED AND COULD EASILY ROLL OVER. *TR PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE, DINO ANDRETTA YORBA LINDA, CA

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. ENTIRE VEHICLE SWAYS WHEN REACHING SPEEDS OF 50+MPH, AS IF YOU ARE PLAYING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND ROCKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH. NISSAN ISSUED A TSB BACK IN 1998. THE # IS: NTB 98001. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AND IT MAKES FOR VERY UNSAFE CONDITIONS. NO ACCIDENT DUE TO CONDITION YET. HOWEVER, I FEEL IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I WOULD BE STUNNED IF NISSAN HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN SUED OVER THIS ISSUE. IF YOU GOOGLE: PATHFINDER SWAY WOBBLE, YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME CONDITION. THE REAR LINK ARMS/BUSHINGS ARE DEFECTIVE, YET THEY HAVE NEVER RECALLED. *TR

UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE VIOLENT ROCKING MOTION AT ANY SPEED. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, STEADILY GETTING WORSE. SAFETY CONCERN AS I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER AND THERE IS A DANGEROUS SWAY WHEN I DRIVE, IT FEELS LIKE THE REAR END IS GOING TO FISH TAIL. *TR

1. AT AROUND 120K MILES THE CAR BEGAN TO SWAY, SOMETIMES UNCONTROLLABLY, AT SPEEDS AROUND 50MPH. REPLACES SHOCKS AND STRUTS. DID NOT FIX IT. TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE REAR STABILIZER BARS AND BUSHING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND VERY COMMON. *TR

AT ~ 65MPH, MY 96 PATHFINDER CAN SWAY SPONTANEOUSLY, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF THE CAR BOUNCING. DRIVER & PASSENGER NECK SNAPS BACK AND FORTH. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A TERRIFYING, UNCONTROLLABLE "WOBBLE" SIDE TO SIDE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, AFTER HITTING A BUMP OR DIP IN THE ROAD ON ONE SIDE. THE WOBBLE FIRST BEGAN TO APPEAR OVER A YEAR AGO AND HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS. NISSAN DEALER PLAYS DUMB ABOUT PROBLEM AND WANTS TO CHARGE ESTIMATED $1200 TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AND THERE IS EVEN A TSB FROM NISSAN REGARDING IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS, CAUSED BY DESIGN, AND SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER RECALL BY NISSAN. *TR

REAR UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL LINK ROD BUSHINGS DEFECTIVE CAUSING DANGEROUS REAR END SWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY AND DEATH. REPAIR IS COSTLY AND IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH DEALERSHIPS AND NISSAN. *TR

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE AND NOTICED A VERY BAD WOBBLE IN THE STEERING/SUSPENSION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE '96-'04 MODELS AND HAS EVEN HAD A TSB (NTB98-001) ON THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONSULTED MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND HAD TO PAY $700-$800 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS MOST DRIVERS EXPERIENCE THEIR CARS WOBBLING OUT OF CONTROL AND OFF THE ROAD. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE OR PUT MY FAMILY IN IT. THIS SHOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BEEN A FACTORY RECALL!!! *TR

WE OWN A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4 WHEEL DRIVE THAT HAD DEVELOPED A SEVERE SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE AT 55-60+ MPH . MECHANICS SAID IT WAS STRUTS/SHOCKS. WE REPLACED ALL 4. SAME PROBLEM EXISTS. THIS IS LIFE THREATENING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY DAUGHTER AND MYSELF HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED IT AND YOU NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE SUV IF YOU DON'T LET OFF THE GAS QUICK. I WOULD HATE TO SEE THE RESULT OF AN EVASIVE MANEUVER - IT WILL BE CATASTROPHIC. DEALERS ARE ACTING LIKE THEY KNOW NOTHING, YET AN INTERNET SEARCH TURNS UP PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE OR ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. MOST ARE SAYING IF YOU REPLACE THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS OR THE ENTIRE ARMS, IT GOES AWAY. I AM ASKING THE NHTSA TO GET INVOLVED NOW AND FORCE NISSAN TO DO A NO-COST RECALL. WE OWN 2 OTHER NISSAN CARS AND I HAVE OWNED OVER A DOZEN CARS/TRUCKS IN 32 YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. AND, I WORK ON CARS AND MOTORCYCLES IN MY SPARE TIME, AND I KNOW WHAT I AM ADDRESSING HERE. THIS IS A MAJOR, SERIOUS ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. *JB

I AM REPORTING A FAILURE IN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM OF MY 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER. AT SPEEDS OF 50+ MPH, THE BACK HALF OF THE VEHICLE HAS INSTANCES WHERE OUT OF NOWHERE IT BEGINS TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN IT STOPS AND WILL DO IT AGAIN JUST OUT OF THE BLUE. I REASONABLY FORESEE THIS FAILURE RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF DEATH, PERSONAL INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. ALL INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRENCE HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED INTERSTATE. THERE WAS A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE BUT NISSAN SHOULD CHANGE IT TO A RECALL. *TR

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER WOBBLES INTENSLY AT 50 - 65 MPH. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOPS AND HAD STRUTS REPLACED, TIRES BALANCED MANY TIMES. I UNDERSTAND IT IS THE REAR ARM BUSHINGS. THIS IS A DEFECT AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

1996 PATHFINDER, 120K MILES. APPROX. ONE YEAR AGO VEHICLE DEVELOPED SCARY SIDE-TO-SIDE ROCKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON CURVED ROADS. REPLACED REAR SHOCKS- NO HELP. I HAVE FOUND LOTS OF OTHER PATHFINDER OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS SAME EXACT CONDITION. TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND REAR LINK ARM BUSHINGS. BUSHINGS DEVELOP DRY ROT WITH AGE AND SHRINK, MAKING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE CONTROL ARMS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN, BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO EVEN CONSIDER A RECALL. *TR

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER WOBBLES DANGEROUSLY AT HIGH SPEEDS, OVER 60 MPH. MECHANIC FIXED STRUTS FOR $800, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. JUST WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT LOTS OF NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, AND THE FIX USUALLY HAS TO DO WITH BUSHINGS. THAT WILL PROBABLY COST ME ANOTHER $800. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NISSAN OWES ITS CUSTOMERS A RECALL. THANK GOODNESS I SEEMED TO HAVE FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. I HOPE THE WORD GETS OUT TO ALL PATHFINDER OWNERS BEFORE A TRAGEDY OCCURS. *NM

I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, A 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH 139,500. IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF BODY SWAY FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE.I DECIDED TO RESEARCH MY PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO ISSUES RELATED TO THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BUSHINGS IN THE REAR UPPER AND LOWER LINKS (CONTROL ARMS) THAT ATTACH THE AXLE TO THE FRAME (REF. NISSAN BULLETIN# NTB 98-001).THIS BULLETIN DESCRIBES IN DETAIL ABOUT WORN BUSHINGS WHICH IT CREATES EXCESSIVE SWAY, ROCKING AND PULL AT ANY SPEED AT THAT POINT, I DECIDED TO BRING MY VEHICLE AT MY EXPENSE TO HAVE AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER TO EXAMINE AND DOCUMENT THE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION.THEY VERIFIED AND CONCUR WITH THE WEAR IN THE REAR LINKS AND RECOMMENDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE UPPER AND LOWER LINKS ALONG WITH THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS (PART # 55080-0W001 (2) AND #08911-6441A (2))-PART NUMBERS FOR THE LINKS. IN ADDITION, I SPOKE TO SEVERAL OWNERS OF NISSAN PATHFINDERS WITH THE SAME CONDITION WHICH WAS BUILT IN 2004 ON THE SAME CHASSIS. AS A RESULT, I CONTACTED NISSAN MOTORS OF NORTH AMERICA AND FILED A COMPLAINT/INQUIRY BASED ON THIS DEFECT (REF# 5555692) ON 12/7/06.THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THE COMPLAINT BASED ON A TSB AND NOT A SAFETY RECALL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A VIRGINIA STATE ANNUAL VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION LAST MONTH AND WAS PASSED IN ERROR BY AN INSPECTOR WHO HAD MISSED THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE AND THE PROBLEM WAS VERIFIED AND INVESTIGATED BY TROOPER FOWLER IN WILLIAMSBURG VA. THIS DEFECT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE STANDARDS FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION. NOT BEING AN ENGINEER, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT TIMES OF HIGHWAY PASSING,AROUND ON RAMPS OR EVASIVE MANEUVERING THAT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. I PAID TO HAVE THE PARTS REPLACED AT A BODY SHOP AT MY EXPENSE.I HAVE THE OLD PART. *NM

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. *JB

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!!!!!!!!!!!!! *NM

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. *NM

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. *AK

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. *AK

VEHICLE SWAYS ALL OVER THE ROAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT STRUTS WERE BAD.*AK

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.*AK

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 *SLC

CONSUMER STATES SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED.*JB

CONSUMER STATES SWAY BAR LINK HAS BEEN REPLACED.*JB

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). *AK

DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE THUMPING SOUND. *AK

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. *AK

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. *AK

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

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 NHTSA. *AK *ML

FRONT END SUSPENSION POOR PERFORMANCE CAUSING PREMATURE WEARING OF THE TIRES.

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.

FRONT END NOISE.