1999 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems

Your Pathfinder had a recall repair done on the strut tower in 2014, but the dealer only partially completed the passenger side repair. The unrepairedportion of the strut tower later failed, which caused your brake lines to separate and break — nearly leading to an accident with your family. Your mechanic believes the failure would not have occurred if the repair had been completed properly.

Your 1999 Pathfinder has a safety recall for the strut tower, but your dealer has refused to perform the recall work. The dealer said they don't believe the repair would be adequate and that the work is beyond their capabilities. You may need to contact Nissan directly or visit another authorized dealer to have this recall completed.

Your strut tower brace has severely rusted and broken loose, causing it to rub against your steering column. You may hear grinding noises and experience difficulty steering as a result. The dealership wasn't able to help because your vehicle's VIN is no longer in their system. Fixing this will likely require replacing the rusted strut tower brace and having the steering column inspected for damage.

Your Pathfinder has extensive rust and corrosion around the front driver's side strut housing and on the underbody framing that has gotten worse over time. Even though your vehicle was serviced under a recall in 2011 meant to address suspension issues, the rust problem wasn't actually fixed. You're concerned the corroded strut tower could crack and cause the suspension or steering to fail suddenly. Addressing this will likely require strut tower repair or replacement and rust treatment to prevent further corrosion.

Your front strut housing cracked and separated from the frame at 130,000 miles. You found that this issue was covered under a recall (NHTSA ID 11V224000), but the manufacturer determined your vehicle doesn't qualify for that recall. The fix will likely involve replacing the damaged strut assembly and inspecting the frame attachment points for damage.

Your steering became difficult and made grinding and rubbing noises when turning. A repair shop found that rust and corrosion had damaged the driver's side suspension components, causing parts to rub against the steering column. The strut and structural supports were no longer safe. Repairs involved replacing the corroded strut and related suspension parts on the driver's side.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT) WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE NEAR THE STRUT MOUNT ON THE FRAME ASSEMBLY AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THIS FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,298.

1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUT HOUSING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PAID FOR THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECEIVING A NOTICE. THE CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF $500.00. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE STRUT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,177. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE COMPONENTS AFFECTED IN HER COMPLAINT ARE RELATED TO A SUSPENSION RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY SUBJECT TO A RECALL RELATED TO THE SUSPENSION/CORROSION OF THE STRUT HOUSING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE DUE TO THE IMPAIRMENT. UPDATED 11/08/11*LJ UPDATED 11/21/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED AND CRACKED IN FOUR PLACES. AS A RESULT, THE MASTER CYLINDER AND INTAKE FILTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 202,185.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR UNRELATED ISSUES BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WELDING FOR THE FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS FRACTURING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 340,000. UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND HE WOULD BE CONTACTED. UPDATED 05/31/11

THE 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED IT WAS LEANING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE A BIT. I LOOKED AT THE SUSPENSION AND FOUND THE DRIVERS FRONT STRUT MOUNTING AREA WAS CORRRODED AWAY SEVERLY. I WAS GOING TO REPAIR IT BUT THE COST IS VERY HIGH AND ONE PLACE DID NOT WANT TO DO IT. I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW IN FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND ABOVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS MOST PROMINENT WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD BUMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE STRUT TOWER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. HE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT SAW NOTHING WRONG SO HE DROVE IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER SEPARATED FROM THE SUSPENSION AND DISABLED THE ABS LINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE DRIVER NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DRIVER WAS TOLD THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND GRINDING UP AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

MASSIVE CORROSION IN THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL AROUND THE STRUT HOUSING. HOLE DEVELOPED AND FAILED INSPECTION. WAS TOLD TO REMOVE FROM ROAD UNTIL REPAIRED. STRUT TOWER WAS ABOUT TO BREAK THROUGH. HAD TO HAVE WHEEL WELL REBUILT. APPROXIMATE COST OF $2000.00. REPAIRS DONE TO VEHICLE IN 2009 PERTAINS TO NHTSA ACTION PE11004. *TR

STEERING WAS NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY, WOULD NOT RETURN QUICKLY. HAD IT LOOKED INTO. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FRAME SPLIT RIGHT THROUGH. CAUSING THE STRUT TOWER TO BE PUSHED UP AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN. TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER PUSHED UP INTO THE HOOD. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, "DEATH TRAP" HAD TO JUNK SO NO ONE WOULD BE HURT. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF *TR UPDATED IVOQ 04/21/11

1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER REAR SUSPENSION "SWAYING" FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO ROLL OVER. VERY SCARY TO DRIVE. OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS BUT MOSTLY AT HIGHER RATE (55-60 MPH) REPLACED - PER NISSAN DEALER- FRONT/REAR SHOCKS/ STRUTS. WHEN THIS DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM THEN WAS TOLD ABOUT REAR BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACING BUT ONLY 4 OF THEM. COST $1200. STILL HAVE PROBLEM. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND TOLD ANOTHER/DIFFERENT 4 REAR BUSHING NEEDED REPLACING ANOTHER $1200. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK TO DEALER YET. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL-VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR

1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAD FRONT STRUTS REPLACED LAST SUMMER. OVER THE WINTER I STARTED TO GET A BUMPING FEELING IN THE STEERING. IT WAS REALLY BAD WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT BAD UNTIL I HIT LARGE BUMP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN. I WENT OFF THE ROAD AND WHEN I HIT ANOTHER BUMP IT TURNED. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK HOME. I RETURN TO HAVE THE FRONT STRUTS AND STEERING CHECKED THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME HOW THE UNIBODY SEPARATED AND IS PUSHING AGAINST THE STEERING SHAFT. HE EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO FIX AND TO JUNK THE VEHICLE, AND STOP DRIVING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD. *TR

1999.5 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4WD LX WITH LESS THAN 130K MILES STARTED RUSTING LAST YEAR AND NOW HAS EXCESSIVE BODY RUST. FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM CAR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AND REWELDED IN 2007, GAS FILL PIPE WAS RECALLED FOR REPAIR BY NISSAN DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. SINGLE OWNER GARAGED CAR NEVER TAKEN NEAR SALT WATER. *TR

FRONT WHEEL SHIMMY AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 50 MPH. VIBRATION CAUSED ME TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES FOR THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AFTER I FILLED IT UP WITH GAS. WAS TOLD IT WAS AN OXYGEN SENSOR PROBLEM AND THEN THE CODE WAS CLEARED. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND IT CAN'T BE SEEN AT DEALER FOR ANOTHER WEEK. A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND THE REAR AND FRONT SHOCKS REPLACED AND THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. THE COMPANY SAYS THAT THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES. *NLM

FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT,HOUSING AND BEARINGS WERE DESTROYED, COULD HAVE POSSIBLY LOCKED UP ON ME, WHEN I HAD THE CHILDREN IN THE CAR, ON THE WAY TO CHURCH. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS, AND NISSAN WON'T REPLACE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK FOR THREE, TO FOUR WEEKS. THEY ARE TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO MY LIFE. YET, I DON'T FEEL VERY COMFORATBLE DRIVING THAT VEHICLE, AND DEFINITELY NOT TRANSPORTING CHILDREN. WHAT CAN I DO?????

FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT,HOUSING AND BEARINGS WERE DESTROYED, COULD HAVE POSSIBLY LOCKED UP ON ME, WHEN I HAD THE CHILDREN IN THE CAR, ON THE WAY TO CHURCH. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS, AND NISSAN WON'T REPLACE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK FOR THREE, TO FOUR WEEKS. THEY ARE TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO MY LIFE. YET, I DON'T FEEL VERY COMFORATBLE DRIVING THAT VEHICLE, AND DEFINITELY NOT TRANSPORTING CHILDREN. WHAT CAN I DO?????

WAS HAVING VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING 45MPH. EVEN WHEN VEHICLE WAS IDLING IT WOULD VIBRATE. COULD FEEL IT THROUGH THE SEATS & SEE IT SHAKING INSIDE. HAD THE WHEELS REPLACED & THE SUSPENSION TIGHTENED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

VEHICLE SHIMMIES/VIBRATES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-70MPH. *AK

SEVERE FRONT END SHIMMY/ WANDERING AT SPEEDS OVER 55 MPH. VEHICLE FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY. NISSAN DEALER INFORMS ME THAT THIS CONDITION IS NORMAL, AND CANNOT BE FIXED.FOUR SETS OF TIRES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON VEHICLE, FINALLY CHANGING TO MICHELIN BRAND TIRES. FRONT END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED BY NISSAN DEALER/NOIMPROVEMENT/CONDITIONS STILL PERSISTS. NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE TO LOOK AT VEHICLE ON 06-24-1999. *AK( DOT NUMBER: B78N TIRE SIZE: P255/65/16 )