2002 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems

While driving at highway speed, you felt shaking in the steering wheel and brake pedal chatter. After exiting the highway, your steering became very stiff and difficult to turn. When you inspected the front end, you discovered the driver's side strut tower had torn away from the frame and body, pushing against both the steering shaft and master brake cylinder (which was bent). The dealership confirmed a previous Level 1 repair (inspection and coating only) was performed in 2011, but this repair failed to prevent the strut tower failure. You need a Level 2 repair, which involves installing a reinforcing metal brace to properly support the strut tower.

The areas where your suspension control arms connect to the frame have rusted through, creating a serious safety hazard. Your mechanic found that other parts of the vehicle's frame are also rusting away and recommended the car be scrapped. Fixing this would require welding or replacing rusted frame sections and control arm mounting points.

Your brakes failed while driving at 35 mph because fluid leaked out of the brake lines due to rust on the vehicle's struts. The vehicle came to a complete stop and had to be towed. Even after the driver's side strut was repaired under a previous recall, the same problem happened again on the passenger side. The fix will likely involve replacing the rusted struts and the brake lines to prevent future fluid leaks.

While driving at 40 mph, your front passenger-side tire vibrated abnormally and became difficult to control. After parking for 30 minutes and restarting, the vibration continued. A mechanic found that the subframe needs welding and the lower control arm on the front passenger side needs replacement.

FRONT STRUT HOUSING CORROSION RECALL. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME TODAY THAT THE INNER SHOCK SUPPORTS ON MY VEHICLE WERE TERRIBLY ROTTED/CORRODED. I WENT ONLINT TO RESEARCH IT AND FOUND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL OF MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING. I PLAN TO CALL NISSAN TO DISCUSS BUT WRITING YOU TO SEE IF YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON A POTENTIAL RECALL. I HAVE LIVED AT THE SAME ADDRESS AS WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE SAME NUMBER BUT NO RECALL NOTICE WAS EVER SENT TO ME. MY MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TO ADDRESS IT ASAP.

SECOND TIME!!

SHOULD BE A RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS EXCESSIVELY CORRODED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A ROCKING VIBRATION EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NOT PLEASED WITH THE WAY NISSAN REPAIRED THE STRUT HOUSING RECALL ON MY PATHFINDER! THERE WAS A FOOT LONG GASH THAT WAS ABOUT 3IN. WIDE THAT NISSAN REPAIRED WITH A PIECE OF SHEET METAL ,4 NUTS N BOLTS, AND COCKING..NOW A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I HAVE TWO MORE CRACKS SHOWING UP IN FRONT OF FIX THAT ARE RUNNING FROM FRAME UP TOWARDS THE HOOD. GOING TO TAKE IT TO A FEW DIFFERENT STATE INSPECTION PLACES TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT BEFORE I TAKE IT BACK TO NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE NISSAN IS SAYING THERE FIX IS GOOD. DON'T KNOW HOW THERE FIX COULD BE GOOD WHEN THEY NEVER DID ANY WELDING AND NOW I HAVE NEW CRACKS RUNNING VERTICAL TOWARDS MY HOOD. *TR

REAR FRAME AND SUSPENSION ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR, NEAR COIL SPRING AND SHOCK MOUNT. FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN THE SECTION OF THE PATHFINDER. THERE IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRAME. CONDITION WAS FOUND WHEN MECHANIC HAD PATHFINDER UP ON LIFT, INSPECTING AS A USED CAR PURCHASE AND A FUEL SMELL AND DELIVERY ISSUE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.VEHICLE HAS 96,540 MILES ON IT. AGAIN NO OTHER RUST ON THE FRAME IN THIS AREA. WAS INSTRUCTED TO HAVE REPAIRED, BEFORE IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE AND DRIVE-ABILITY ISSUE. I DO HAVE A PHOTO OF THIS DAMAGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A BUMPY ROAD, THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

THE CHASSIS ON MY VEHICLE WAS ROTTEN AS PER THE RECALL R1107. PREMIUM NISSAN REPAIRED THE CHASSIS WITH A PATCH THAT IS NOT SAFE AT ALL TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AGAIN BY OTHER MECHANICS AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE AND STARTS TO WOBBLE (REAR SUSPENSION) AT 55 MPH AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS.. FEELS LIKE VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL.. NEED TO BRING SPEED DOWN TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *TR

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURER RECALL ISSUE TO BUY BACK VEHICLE AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED NISSAN WAS WILLING TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, FOR ONLY $3114.00.

WHILE DRIVING TO TEXAS LAST OCTOBER WITH THE WIFE MY VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO WOBBLE LEFT TO RIGHT. THERE WAS A CERTAIN SPEED IN WHICH VEHICLE DID NOT DO IT AND IT WAS 60 MPH. SINCE I AM DISABLED I HAD MY YOUNG BROTHER LOOK INTO IT.SO HE TOOK IT TO A SHOP IN HOUSTON TX AND HAD HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS PUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NEW TIRES. WHEN WE HEADED BACK TO CALIFORNIA THE CAR RAN FINE. MARCH OF THIS YEAR THE WOBBLING PROBLEM CAME BACK. OUR SON CHECKED IT OUT AND SAYS THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDS ALL THE BUSHINGS REPLACED BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THE DEALER OR A PRO SHOP REPAIR IT SOMETHING WHICH WILL COST AN ARM AND A LEG. CAN I GET ANY KIND OF HELP? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVING AT 65 MPH., THE PATHFINDER ROCKS (WOBBLES) SIDE TO SIDE AND THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER FOR THE DRIVER TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE DRIVER MUST RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE'S SPEED TO SLOW DOWN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PATHFINDER'S RUBBER BUSHINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT PUTS MANY DRIVERS AT RISK. THERE'S NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL DUE TO RUST. 3 MECHANICS FROM NISSAN DEEMED IT UNREPAIRABLE BECAUSE THE RECALL PROCEDURE. THEY SAID IT WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF A BUYBACK PROGRAM. AFTER WAITING FOR 2 MONTHS THEY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS FIXED. THE DEALER WAS VERY ELUSIVE WHEN I ASKED HIM WHY THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND, SAYING SOMEONE CAME AND TOLD THEM TO JUST FIX IT FROM NISSAN CORPORATE. HE WOULD NOT CONFIRM TO ME THAT IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN OUTSIDE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT A PROPER FIX. *TR

EMAIL MESSAGE FORWARDED FROM FHWA-WROTE REGARDING THE SAFETY RECALL OF HIS 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW DOES HE NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR HIS VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS NO LONGER REGISTERED IN A SALT STATE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FRAME AND SHOCKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I HAVE BEEN HEARING NOISES IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, FOR MONTHS.THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED RECENTLY,WHICH IS WHEN WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM.WE DISCOVERED A ROTTED FRAME RAIL WHERE THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING MOUNTS TO A PLATE BUILT INTO THE FRAME. THE ROT IS ON BOTH SIDES, BUT MUCH WORSE ON THE PASSENGER REAR. THE SPRING IS ABOUT TO COME THROUGH.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! AND IT'''S OUR CAR,AND WE DON'''T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT. THIS MUST BE HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS AS WELL. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN TO A KEPT UP, BEAUTIFUL 2002 PATHFINDER?? IT MUST HAVE STARTED ROTTING YEARS AGO,PROBABLY WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES, AND THE CAR IS NOW ONLY 9 YRS OLD. THERE IS APPARENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT STRUT HOUSINGS FOR ROT BUT NOT THE REARS. TO KEEP THE CAR, THE OBVIOUS, IS A COSTLY REPAIR. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING-THEY INSPECTED THE CAR IN 2007 WHEN THE CORROSION WARRANTY WAS ACTIVE ON THE FRAME.THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT AND I FEEL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE.THEY ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ME SINCE I WAS TOLD "I DIDN'T SPEND ENOUGH MONEY" AT THE DEALER OVER THE YEARS FOR SERVICE.IT IS 35 MILES FROM MY HOUSE.NISSAN SAYS IT'S AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE" HOW?? THERE IS NO ROT ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR ,INCLUDING THE RECALLED FRONT STRUT TOWERS. THE CAR IS ROTTING AWAY FROM BENEATH ME.I THREATENED TO SUE THEM AND THEY SAID THEY ARE "NOT OBLIGATED" TO REPAIR IT.THEY DON'T CARE.THIS ROT OF THE REAR FRAME SHOULD NEVER OCCUR AS IT HAS,STARTING PROBABLY WHEN IT WAS ONLY 6 YRS OLD,AND BE IN THIS CONDITION IN ONLY 9 YRS.THE STEEL MUST BE DEFECTED.I WILL ''NEVER'' BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN PATHFINDERS.THE CAR WOULD PROBABLY HAVE RUN WELL FOR ANOTHER 5 YRS AND GONE TO 250K MILES BUT THE FRAME WILL NOT LAST.WHAT A SHAME.THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TT

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER HOUSINGS FOR NISSAN PATHFINDERS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING BECAME SO CORRODED IT BROKE AND MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN APRIL 2011 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

2002 PATHFINDER STARTED SWAYING ALL OVER THE PLACE ON FREEWAY. TAKE FOOT OFF GAS AND IT CALMS. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND IT WAS THE BUSHINGS/BEARINGS. REPLACED THEM FOR A TOTAL OF $380. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTORS...TWICE!! *TR

OVER 40 MPH, I GET A REAR END SWAY OR WOBBLE WHEN ACCELERATING IN MY '02 NISSAN PATHFINDER . SWAY REVERSES WHEN I LET UP ON THE GAS. FEELS LIKE I'M LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY AN ONLINE MECHANIC THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE REAR SUSPENSION LINKS FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE BUSHINGS ARE TORN OR BROKEN. WHEN BROKEN WILL CAUSE THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK TO FEEL LOOSE. INSPECT ALL 4 REAR LINKS AND REPLACE WHICH EVER LINKS YOU FIND BAD. *TR

CAR DEVELOPS A VIOLENT WOBBLE AT 55-75 MPH WHEN YOU ENGAGE OR RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL NISSAN PATHFINDERS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES. THE REAR TRAILING ARM LINK BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 100K MILES IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE COST TO DO THIS FOR ALL 8 BUSHINGS IS $650-$1000, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GET IT DONE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE JUST THE BUSHINGS AND ONLY SELLS THE ENTIRE TRAILING ARM LINK. THUS, THE COST AT THE DEALERSHIP CAN EXCEED THIS ESTIMATE. MANY SAVVY OWNERS HAVE SOUGHT AFTERMARKET POLYURETHANE BUSHINGS TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM AND AVOID HAVING TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS EVERY 100K MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WOBBLE. I WOULD EXPECT THAT MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THIS CONDITION AND IT IS OFTEN REPORTED AS "DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE." UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NOT THE DRIVER'S FAULT WHEN THE VEHICLE BECOME HIGHLY UNSTABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE SUSPENSION FROM THIS DESIGN. THERE ARE TSBS REGARDING THIS CONDITION, YET NISSAN HAS FAILED TO FIX IT. *TR

MY PATHFINDER HAS MANY PROBLEMS.FIRST THE VECHLE VIRBRATES AT ALL SPEEDS,WIND NOISE FROM BOTH FRONT WINDOWS AND ROOF RACK,THERE IS ALSO A JERK WHEN YOU SHUT VECHLE OFF THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN IN 4 WHEEL AUTO THIS IS NOT 4 WHEEL FLOOR SHIFT,THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX 4 TIMES AND NOW STATES THERE IS A BULLETEN STATED THIS IS NORMAL TO GET A JERK PROBLEM RELATE TO ALL PATHFINDER AND INFINTY Q-4 FROM 1998-2002.THE VIBRATION IS STILL PRESENT TOO THE DEALER HAS BALANCED ALL FOR TIRES BUT VIBRATION IS STILL THERE ALTHOUGH IS IS NOT AS BAD,AS FOR WIND NOISE THEY SUGGESTED I BUY WIND DELFECTOR FOR BOTH WINDOWS AND ROOF

THE FRONT END IS ALL RUSTED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT TO FALL WHILE DRIVING. DT

VIBRATION PRESENT AT 20 MPH AND THEN AGAIN MOST NOTICABLE AT 38-40 MPH. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT ASSY-REAR. VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. DT

WHEN HITTING A POTHOLE OR BUMP, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE DUE TO REAR COIL SPRINGS COMPRESSING, THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO INDICATED IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. *AK *JG