Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering , suspension) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the contact observed an loud abnormal sound from the driver side and the steering wheel failed. In addition, the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 229,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Driving truck got so bad it was hard to keep in road..would go side to side on highway and turns were not easy to say in lane.took to clarktire co ..they replaced lots of parts and said mounts for shocks and struts were pretty badly rusted causing excessive movement of those.
I moved to charleston sc in June of 2007 from richmond va. I began to hear a clicking sound whenever I would turn a corner or turn steering wheel to park or leave driveway about a year ago. Everytime I took vehicle in for oil change or maintenance, I would tell mechanic. It wasn't until May of 2011 someone actually checked front tires and axles and strut mounts. This is when I was informed of damage. I still have spent hundreds trying to repair numerous other problems because noone knew exactly what was wrong. I've had to pay for three front end alignments in two weeks because of this problem. Now I did not receive a recall letter until about 2 or 3 weeks ago and it does not list richmond va as one of the states, however, every year I lived in va we had lots of snow and salt was put down with sand. …
(noticed problem end of 2007/ beginning 2008 and again in 2011) I have low mileage on Pathfinder and it is only driven on the freeway and in town. First noticed when driving speeds over 50 and during shifting on highway. Very sloppy steering control, pathfinders rear swaying, skipping and jerking sometimes violently from side to side. Very dangerous driving conditions;very good chance of flipping over.took to different auto mechanics and most could not figure out issue. It turned out that the problem was all defective - failed, broken, cracked, or /and worn bushings links both front and rear. I recently completely replaced the bushings and components and after 6500 miles they are broken/defective and the Pathfinder is unsafe to drive again. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle would abnormally sway back and forth when driving at least 55 MPH. When the contact would remove her foot from the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would feel as if it were hydroplaning. Also, when driving around a curve, the vehicle would drive in the opposite direction in which the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for the failure where the sway bar and ball joints were replaced to no avail. The contact stated that the failure progressed and the vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. The vehicle was included and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V244000 (steering:column). While driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver of the vehicle noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated the failure was not due to the recall and did not inform the contact of the repairs needed. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated that the strut housing was corroded and the recall repair had failed. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 166,600.
I noticed that the steering in my 1997 Nissan Pathfinder se was pulling to the left and I had experienced some resistance while turning the steering wheel, so I began to inspect the engine compartment and wheel wells. I found that the driver-side shock tower has almost completely separated from the rest of the body of the vehicle. The way it has bent away has caused it to put direct pressure on both the steering column and the master cylinder. If the tower was to fail completely, I'm reasonably certain that it would shear off the master cylinder (leaving me without brakes!) and possibly sever the steering column.
At random... This Pathfinder will go into a crazy death wobble, to the point to were it wants to put your head and the heads of your children threw the windows. I have replaced the shocks in the car. But yet the problem remains. My car is at the Nissan dealership right now racking up a bill that I can not afford, for something they will most likely not be able to fix. I have read a hundred complaints on line that describe the same problem to a t. God help us!
I have a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder. When I drive it on highway at around 50-75 MPH, sometimes the car would wobble for no reason. If I move my foot away from the gas pedal, the wobble would stop. It makes me feel very scared. It's been happening for about two years. One of my friends has the same car with same problem. He had it fixed by replacing some bushings at the back. I am going to do the same thing. When I search internet, I found a lot of Pathfinder owners have the same problem. Should this be taken care of by Nissan?
Steering shaft was broken in 2011 ( replaced with used part ) steering shaft was broken in 2013 ( replaced with new Nissan original part) steering shaft was broken 10 2014 (replaced with new Nissan original part) corroded strut tower. Steering shaft resting on the corroded strut tower/ steering tower breaking while driving. In one of the incidents, it broke on a major street in the district of columbia ( 11th and pennsylvania ave ) cost of towing was $150.00.
NHTSA investigations
Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states…
Steering complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder, 12% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is column locking › anti-theft device (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
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.