1999 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Front
  22
• Rear
  1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  14%
• 50k–75k
  00%
• 75k–100k
  312%
• 100k–150k
  936%
• 150k+
  1248%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I am writing as requested on our phone call on January 3 2015 as you are aware my wife and eleven year old daughter were nearly in an accident on December 15 2014. My 1999 Nissan Pathfinder had gone back to the dealer in 2014 as there was a recall on strut tower failure in high road salt sections of the country. They repaired the driver side strut tower and half of the passenger side tower the enclosed pictures show where they stopped the repair. This is where the tower failed. According to my mechanic if they had completed the procedure correctly this part of the tower would not have failed causing the brake lines to separate and break.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact noticed that the strut tower brace was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to byrely Nissan (4027 dixie highway, louisville, ky 40216) where it was determined that the VIN was old and no longer in the system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. The consumer did not recieve the recall #11V244000 notice. The vehicle began making a grinding noise and became difficult to steer. The strut tower housing rusted and broke loose, and is rubbing against the steering column.

I'm repulsed @ the gross disregard for safety & life of consumers my 99 Nissan --death trap hey im alive 3 crashes major steering lock up self acceleration problems electrical stalling shimmy seatbelts don't lock air bags do not deploy this vehicle is dangerous brakes lock up chronic check engine light issues despite numerous inquiries & complaints to Nissan they denied any similar complaints with any of their vehicles I have now found multiple foreign campaign recalls which Nissan north America was notified by manufacturers of components in their us vehicles by these foreign manufacturers many years later Nissan is advising service/safety bulletins however the consumer is not notified & even mislead as to safety issues upon inquiry keep track of your complaints to Nissan -when you call back they deny any prior complaints you made at least this has been my experience with Nissan …

I was driving my car into my neighborhood. I turned a corner heard a "clunk" my steering was tight. I then turned into my driveway and lost my steering. Fortunately I was moving slow and did not hit anything. I got out of my vehicle looked under the hood and discovered that my left front wheel well had rusted through and had rotated up and into my steering column breaking the spring in the column and knocking out my steering. So far Nissan and my dealer have done nothing. They have rejected my claim that this is a safety problem and they have not given me a formal estimate of the cost to repair. They did offer me $500 of trade in value towards a new vehicle purchase. On November 13, 2009 I requested that the vehicle be repaired at my cost. I visited the dealer on December 1, 2009 to check on progress, and as of this afternoon December 4, 2009 they have not prepared an estimate. …

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion near the front driver's side associated with the driver's side strut housing. In addition, there had been rust progressing over time on the underbody/framing. The dealer (mount holly Nissan, 1513 nj-38, hainesport, nj 08036, [phone]) indicated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension) in 2011. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned that the strut tower housing could crack and cause a catastrophic failure concerning the suspension and steering. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. * consumer stated the rust problem on the drivers side was supposedly repaired by the recall - obvously not the case. …

I had the Pathfinder tested for the rusted strut mount and corrosion issue in 2011. Now it is more than three years since I had the recall performed but I have no way of knowing if the Pathfinder three and a half years later is now safe to drive. What is the NHTSA policy on rust-related issues when an owner would like to keep their vehicle but with increased driving time on salty roads, they no longer have access to the recall that was designed to ensure safety? I am at the point where I have to make a substantial investment in major maintanence on the vehicle yet I do not know if the vehicle would pass the recall that it was tested for some 40 miles ago and, more importantly, three very hard winters on salty streets.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder. While having the vehicle serviced for unrelated issues by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the welding for the front strut tower was fracturing. The vehicle was not repaired and approximately two years later, the manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11V244000 (suspension:front). The vehicle was never repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000 and the current mileage was 340,000. Updated 05/26/11 the consumer was informed the vehicle was unrepairable and he would be contacted. Updated 05/31/11

1999 Nissan Pathfinder had front struts replaced last summer. Over the winter I started to get a bumping feeling in the steering. It was really bad when I hit a bump in the road. I didn't think it was that bad until I hit large bump and the vehicle would not allow me to turn. I went off the road and when I hit another bump it turned. I was able to get the truck home. I return to have the front struts and steering checked the mechanic showed me how the unibody separated and is pushing against the steering shaft. He explained there was no fix and to junk the vehicle, and stop driving as soon as possible. This vehicle is only 10 years old.

1999 Nissan Pathfinder rear suspension "swaying" feels like the car is going to roll over. Very scary to drive. Occurs at all speeds but mostly at higher rate (55-60 MPH) replaced - per Nissan dealer- front/rear shocks/ struts. When this didn't fix problem then was told about rear bushings needed replacing but only 4 of them. Cost $1200. Still have problem. Took back to dealer and told another/different 4 rear bushing needed replacing another $1200. Have not been able to get back to dealer yet. This should have been a recall-very dangerous to drive this car.

Tl contact owns a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, he heard a loud snapping noise and the anti-lock brake warning light illuminated on the instrumental panel. He and inspected the vehicle but saw nothing wrong so he drove it to an independent mechanic who advised him that the front driver side strut tower separated from the suspension and disabled the ABS line. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure and current mileages were approximately 145,000.

Related recalls

Suspension complaints in other Pathfinder years