Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On a long road trip from indiana to north carolina, the rear-end of my vehicle began swaying or rocking from side-to-side as I was going 60 MPH or more and whenever I changed lanes. It felt very unstable, as though it May rollover. Upon my return home, I took it in for repairs and was informed it was the sway bar, the shocks and maybe the tires. I replaced &/or repaired everything. It seemed OK until my recent road trip from indiana to missouri when the exact same thing occurred with the rear-end swaying more this time but usually only upon deceleration. I now notice it during city driving which I wasn't sure about before due to all the potholes and bumps in the streets. I researched the problem online and found several other owners of this make and model reporting the exact same problem. …
As vehicle approached 50mph it would shake violently from side to side forcing me to let off of the accelerator. The shaking made it very difficult to control the vehicle and was very frightening not only to me, but also to my family (we were on vacation). Since this was obviously a dangerous situation I looked for a recall. There was none. I did, however, find many similar stories on the internet. The local Nissan dealership replaced rear suspension bars. "verified rear suspension links were bad, bushings tore-replaced all 4 bars" mileage on the vehicle at the time was 60,687. The vehicle was not used off-road. The repair cost me $740.20 mostly it is just shocking that such a dangerous condition is not a recall. There was no control of the vehicle once it's speed exceeded 50mph. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder. While the vehicle was being inspected at the dmv, the mechanic informed the contact that the rear strut was rusting. In addition, the contact stated that the steering made an abnormal popping noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but they were unsure how to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist due to the age of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 293,000.
All of these complaints are the same complaint, yet nothing is done for the consumer of what was a very expensive vehicle when new even though it is dangerous and many consumers spend a lot of money trying to fix the problem (or give up and park the vehicle), often spending the money on the wrong fix because this information has not been given to them and there is, almost unbelievably, no recall. Dangerous and violent side to side shaking at less than highway speeds which could lead to crash, serious injury and death. Repair is costly and is a known defect with dealerships and Nissan but not necessarily known by other auto mechanics........................................................all of these complaints are the same complaint: NHTSA id number: 10695520 NHTSA id number: 10583582 NHTSA id number: 10575024 NHTSA id number: 10523182 NHTSA id number: 10478531 NHTSA id number: 10448749 …
Recently purchased a used 96 Nissan Pathfinder, and immediately noticed an uncontrollable sway or wobble at highway speeds, very nearly causing an accident. Internet research has shown that this problem is widespread. Apparently it's source is the failure of the rear link bushings. This is not an isolated problem, every vehicle with this suspension will experience this problem given enough length of service. Also, there is not an inexpensive fix, with bushings costing several hundred dollars to replace, and requiring a hydraulic press to install the new bushings (something I don't have in my garage). Recall searches have identified recalls for issues such as potential corrosion possibly affecting steering, replacement lights not having enough amber color, and thickness of the carpet padding. If these issues are serious enough to warrant a recall, why is suspension failure not? …
While driving my 96 Nissan Pathfinder, I've noticed that after 30 miles per hour my vehicle starts to sway uncontrollably. I have to take my foot of the gas pedal and reduce the speed for the vehicle to eventually stop the swaying. Nissan is aware of their problem but yet doesn't want to make this safety issue a priority and recall and fix the problems. I can no longer pickup my grandson at daycare because we're afraid that this issue will cause a fatal accident. So basically I can only drive my vehicle within town limits while driving as if I was an elderly person, and refraining from using my vehicle. …
We own a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder 4 wheel drive that had developed a severe side to side wobble at 55-60+ MPH . Mechanics said it was struts/shocks. We replaced all 4. Same problem exists. This is life threatening on the highway. My daughter and myself have both experienced it and you nearly lose control of the SUV if you don't let off the gas quick. I would hate to see the result of an evasive maneuver - it will be catastrophic. Dealers are acting like they know nothing, yet an internet search turns up people all over the country that have or are having the exact same problem. Most are saying if you replace the rear lower control arm bushings or the entire arms, it goes away. I am asking the NHTSA to get involved now and force Nissan to do a no-cost recall. We own 2 other Nissan cars and I have owned over a dozen cars/trucks in 32 years and never experienced anything like this. …
Our 1996 Nissan Pathfinder started to wobble violently -- the so-called "death wobble" that '96-'97 pathfinders are now known for -- around 140,000 miles. The wobble was more severe at higher speeds (>50 MPH) but also occurred at lower speeds, particularly when cornering, encountering minor road defects or when in 4-wheel drive. The wobble was particularly severe if there were passengers in the back seat and/or when there was additional weight in the far back. The only way to stop the violent wobbling or its severity was to reduce speed immediately. Replacing the tires and struts, and installing heavy duty shocks did little to mitigate the problem. The violent rocking was reminiscent of a blow out and made it very difficult to control the vehicle. It appears that Nissan has been aware of the problem but has failed to conduct a recall or provide adequate redress. …
I just bought a Nissan Pathfinder le 1996 - I found many owners are experiencing problems with the rear suspension of the vehicle (see posts: http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/t5lstpr50npco9ctl/p7) - local mechanic has indicated the repair on mine would be around $700 - $1000 - the real problem is premature wear of upper and lower rear control arms bushings (this applies to 1996-2001 apparently). I drove the vehicle from oregon to california and it was a real challenge to manage the swaying from side to side - the only way to mitigate the car from wobbling is to either reduce speed or accelerate. This should had been a safety recall from Nissan instead a service bulletin - the vehicle turns to be quite difficult to drive at freeway speed and could easily roll over. Please investigate. Thank you in advance, dino andretta yorba linda, ca
While driving on the highway in clear conditions on smooth payment with my two small children in the back at speeds of 65-70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began swaying and wobbling in a severe manner, nearly causing me to lose control of the Pathfinder. As I was not in an area where I could safely stop, I had to continue to drive some distance and the swaying and wobbling continued intermittently and without warning, making it difficult to control the vehicle. After researching this issue, I discovered numerous similar incidents and am dismayed there has been no recall as this is a hidden defect. My mechanic could not locate the problem until I showed him my findings from my research, and confirmed the rear bushings are defective and must be replaced. This is an extremely dangerous condition and there should be a recall.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front
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…
Remedy: 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.
Suspension complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, 40% of the model year's 159 complaints. The component named most often is rear (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Nissan Pathfinder suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-244 (front, Apr 20, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Nissan Pathfinder suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.