1998 Nissan Pathfinder Steering Problems
11 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Steering Recalls (1)
STEERING:COLUMN
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Fix: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Owner Complaints (11)
Your vehicle shakes severely when driving over 40 mph. Due to a recall-related strut placement error, the strut tower wall behind your passenger-side front wheel has rusted out almost completely. This structural and suspension damage is making your car unsafe to drive at normal speeds.
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Your Pathfinder was involved in a crash at 40 mph into a tree, but the airbags failed to deploy. Additionally, your power steering has malfunctioned on several occasions, making the steering wheel very difficult to turn left or right. These issues involve both safety systems and drivability and should be inspected by a technician. Repairs may involve airbag system diagnostics, replacement of airbag components, and power steering system inspection or fluid/pump replacement.
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Your SUV rocks and sways severely from side to side while driving on the highway, especially during acceleration or braking, making it feel like it might roll over. You're limited to speeds under 30 mph because the wobbling gets worse the faster you go. The issue is likely caused by worn rubber bushings and suspension links in the rear axle that have excessive play. Nissan has issued a service bulletin about this problem, but repair typically involves replacing the worn suspension bushings and trailing arm components.
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Your 1998 Nissan Pathfinder was brought in for recall service on steering and brakes that could cause a crash. The dealer said they weren't sure how to repair the vehicle safely, and after weeks with no updates, they decided to send it to an auto body shop instead of a certified Nissan service center. You're concerned the vehicle may be returned in unsafe condition since body shops don't specialize in structural safety repairs. The repair will require proper steering and brake system inspection and restoration by a qualified technician.
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Your strut housings and struts on both the driver and passenger sides of the front suspension failed and needed replacement. Your front driver-side tire also had to be replaced as a result of the strut failure. A mechanic performed all the repairs and charged you for both parts and labor. The repair likely involved removing and installing new strut assemblies and replacing the damaged tire.
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MY VEHICLE HAS TWO RECALLS ON IT - FIRST ONE IS THE GAS NECK RECALL AND THE SECOND IS THE STRUT HOUSING CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN ON MAY 2ND, 2011 TO BERGSTROM/NISSAN IN OSHKOSH. THEY CHECKED OUT MY VEHICLE AND SAID THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEMS REGARDING BOTH RECALLS. IT IS SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2011 AND THEY STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE. THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING AND TOLD ME THAT THEY BRACED UP THE FRONT. THINGS SHOULD BE GOOD BUT THAT THEY TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND IT IS STILL ALL OVER THE ROAD. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE PART FOR THE GAS NECK RECALL IS ON BACK ORDER. THEY TOLD ME TO COME AND PICK UP THE VEHICLE. IF THEY TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND IT STILL IS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING - THEN I DON'T THINK IT IS SAFE AND THAT THEY MUST NOT HAVE DONE A GOOD ENOUGH JOB FIXING THE PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWERS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND WAS AWAITING FOR THE MANUFACTURERS APPROVAL TO REPAIR IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 ( STEERING:COLUMN) . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING:COLUMN) WAS RELATED; YET, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I MADE A TURN AND I HEARD A POP SOUND AND TOTALLY LOST MY STEERING. THANK GOD I WAS GOING FAST AND DIDN'T HIT THE CARS PARKED ON THE SIDE. MY 1998 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHICH MADE ME AWARE THAT THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER JOINT HAD BROKEN. *TR
AS I WAS APPROACHING THE END OF AN EXIT ' I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN BUT INSTEAD THE CAR TOOK OFF AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED WHILE I WATCHED IN HORROR AND FEARING FOR MY LIFE. IT KEPT GOING UNTIL IT HIT A FREE . THE CAR WAS TOTALED. I ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT I HAD DROPPED COLLISION A FEW MONTHS BEFORE SO NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR AND ABOUT $6,000.00 FOR WHICH THE CAR WAS MORE OR LESS WORTH. *TR
STEERING FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH/INJURIES.