2006 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems
8 owner-reported suspension complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Suspension Recalls (1)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Owner Complaints (8)
Your transmission shudders and occasionally feels like it's slipping. Your coolant has turned into a creamy paste instead of its normal liquid state. Your vehicle bounces or pulls to the sides while driving, and sometimes the engine runs at high RPM while the vehicle moves slowly. These issues suggest transmission fluid breakdown and suspension problems that need professional inspection and likely transmission fluid and coolant replacement.
Parts you may need:
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I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING EXTREMELY AND MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, ALSO THE SUSPENSION SHAKES CONSISTENTLY CAUSING ME TO SWERVE. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE, NOT READING PROPERLY. *JS
I AM HAVING A VERY HARDTIME WITH THIS VEHICLE. JUST BOUGHT ON JUNE 2013 FROM USED DEALERSHIP. IT IS MIXING THE ANTIFREEZE WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE. AND NEED TO GET AROUND. MY FAMILY DEPENDS ON A GOOD USEFUL VEHICLE. THAT WILL NOT BREAK DOWN JUST ANYWHERE. AND WILL NOT COST THOUSANDS TO REPAIR. *TR
VEHICLE JERKS AND STALLS BETWEEN 30 - 40 MPH SOMETIMES AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP. *TR
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER IS QUESTIONING WHY HER VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL# 10E019000. *KB
MY VEHICLE STARTED (MAR 2010) TO VIBRATE AT BETWEEN 45 AND 65 MPH, IT FELT LIKE I WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD UNIVERSAL JOINT. TEN MONTHS (JAN 2011) LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ADDITIONALLY CAR WAS SHIFTING POORLY AND FELT LIKE IT COULDN'T FIND THE CORRECT GEAR BETWEEN 45 AND 65 MPH, DEALER SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN THEY DROPPED THE DRIVESHAFT THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A UNIVERSAL JOINT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DRIVESHAFT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED IN MAR 2012, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC (VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY) WHO CONSULTED A TRANSMISSION SHOP. WAS TOLD THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION THROUGH A FAULTY HOSE/LINE IN THE RADIATOR AND VEHICLE NOW NEED A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AND NEW RADIATOR. I AM CONCERNED THAT TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY ON HIGHWAY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A BOUNCING MOTION WITH A LOUD METAL TO METAL CLANKING NOISE. WHEN REACHING THE DESTINATION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AXLE HAD A CRACK. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10E019000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
FOR ALL THOSE REPORTING THE SWAYING ASSOCIATED WITH THE 1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER, I HAVE A NISSAN TERRANO WHICH LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE THE PATHFINDER. I EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SWAYING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 40 MPH. I HAVE TRIED EVERY MECHANIC I KNOW, CHANGED MY SHOCKS, AND YOU NAME IT...LATELY, I WOULD HEAR A THUMP IN THE REAR WHEN I PULLED OFF FROM STOP POSITION. THE THUMP ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I RUN OVER A SHORT SPEED BUMP. WHEN I CAME HOME ONE EVENING, I WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE TO CONDUCT A VISUAL INSPECTION TO SEE IF I WILL FIND ANYTHING. LO AND BEHOLD, I FOUND OUT THAT THE BUSHINGS OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE WORN OUT TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE BREAKING UP(THE BUSHINGS) WHICH ALLOWS METAL TO RUB OR HIT ANOTHER METAL AND THAT EXPLAINS THE THUMP THAT I WILL USUALLY HEAR. IN MY OPINION THE WORN OUT BUSHINGS ALSO EXPLAIN THE SWAYING THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM THE REAR BECAUSE JUST FIGURE IT OUT, THE BUSHINGS OF THE ARMS THAT LINK THE REAR AXLE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE ARE WEAK, BUT THIS WILL NOT CAUSE SWAYING AT LOW SPEEDS, AND EVEN IF IT DID IT WILL BE UN-NOTICEABLE. THIS SWAYING AT HIGH SPEEDS IS DIFFICULT TO TELL SOMETIMES IF IT IS COMING FROM THE REAR OR FRONT. MY ADVISE IS TO CHANGE ESPECIALLY THE BUSHINGS OF THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS, THERE SHOULD BE FOUR OF THEM, TWO LONG ONES AND TWO SHORT ONES. IT MAKES SENSE TO ME AFTER ALL THE VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD! ALSO MAKE SURE THAT NONE OF THOSE CONTROL ARMS ARE BENT. FEEL FREE TO SEND ME A QUICK EMAIL. *TR