2002 Nissan Pathfinder Body & Structure Problems

Your car's front frame has excessive rust, perforated (holes in) the steel, and is disconnected from other parts, making a clucking sound when you drive. Even though Nissan issued a recall (R1107) for this frame rust problem in high-salt areas like New York, your vehicle's VIN wasn't included in the recall coverage despite meeting the criteria.

Nissan performed a recall repair on your strut housing, but the repair is now failing and coming apart. The brake line is pulling away from the housing, creating a safety hazard. Nissan told you they completed the required repair and suggested buying a new vehicle, but you're understandably upset since the temporary fix isn't holding up. Getting the strut housing permanently repaired or replaced will likely be necessary.

Both of your front aprons (structural panels below the doors) have rusted through, and your local Nissan service center confirmed this is the same issue covered under recall #11V244000. However, your vehicle's VIN wasn't included in the recall notice you received, and the dealer says you're not covered by the campaign. Addressing this will likely require replacing the corroded front apron panels.

Your Pathfinder's frame is experiencing rust and rot that's severe enough to fail vehicle inspection. You're not alone—other owners report the same issue. The frame may need structural repair or replacement to pass inspection and ensure vehicle safety.

SUB FRAME ROOTED SECOND TIME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION EMERGING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRAME RAIL WAS RUSTED SEVERELY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWIVELED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ROTTED OUT AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

REGARDING RECALL R1107 FOR DETERIORATED CHASSIS OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ON 4/2/14 PREMIUM NISSAN OF NEW ROCHELLE ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY ISSUE OF VEHICLE THAT HAS NOT MET SAFETY STANDARDS BY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION. BASICALLY THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS HELD UP WITH BONDO, WHICH IS STATED ON DEALERSHIP SERVICE ORDER. THE MESHING AND FIBERGLASS PATCH WILL NOT HOLD UP TO THE SLIGHTEST OF FRONT END OBSTRUCTION, CAUSING SEVER DAMAGE AND JUST DRIVING IT IN THE CURRENT CONDITION IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO ME, MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG GIRLS. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF THE SERVICE ORDER FROM PREMIUM AND OTHER LICENSED MECHANICS THAT HAVE WORKED WITH THIS RECALL IN THE PAST, ALONG WITH PHOTOS. I AM REQUESTING A BUYBACK OFFER SIMILAR TO OTHER RELATED CASES. THANKS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP AND MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE STRUT TOWER CAME LOOSE FROM THE WELDS IN THE WHEEL HOUSING AND PUSHED UP THE STRUT HOUSING INTO THE BRAKE CYLINDER AND BURST THE BRAKE FLUID LINE CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IN WISCONSIN THE WINTER WEATHER IS BAD AND THE RUST AND CORROSION IS NOT UNUSUAL. THE DEALERSHIPS BODY DEPARTMENT SAID IT WOULD COST $2,800 TO REPAIR SO SINCE THE CAR WAS 9 YEARS OLD AND HAD 152,000 MILES ON IT I PURCHASED A NEW CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME ACCUMULATED EXCESSIVE RUST DUE TO HIGH AMOUNTS OF SALT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE CONTACT SHOULD DISPOSE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN BUT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FRAME RUST AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 12/7/11 *CN

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INNER WHEEL MET THE FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER BY A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RUST SHOULD NOT BE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 106,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

I WENT TO HAVE MY OIL CHANGE AT THE GARAGE,I TOLD THE MECHANIC I COULD HEAR A HISSING NOISE FROM UNDER NEAT,LIKE A NOISE FROM THE MUFFLER.WHEN HE CHECKED HE SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS SPLIT OPEN,HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER,IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POLLUTION CONTROL.WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER HE CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME ,IT WAS CALLED A TUBE OR A PIPE NOT A CATALYITIC CONVERTER NOT COVERED UNDER WARR.,BUT NISSAN SOLD A PATCH TO REPAIR THIS,AT THE TIME I HAD AROUND 44,528 MI.ON MY PATHFINDER JUST OVER THE 36,000 MI WARR.SO I CALLED NISSAN TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AND TOLD THEM I WAS A LOYAL CUSTOMER AFTER BYING 3 PATHFINDER AND MY WIFE 2 MAXIMA,I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN ANYWHERE BUT SORRY.I WAS TOLD THAT A REGIONAL REP.WAS GOING TO CALL,BUT WE NEVER CONNECTED.THE SERVICE MGR.AT NISSAN TOLD ME THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST,I HOPE THIS WILL DO SOME GOOD MAYBE GET MY MONEY BACK.REPAIR WORK DONE ON 6/18/05.THANK YOU