2003 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Front
  3

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  16%
• 25k–50k
  16%
• 50k–75k
  16%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  741%
• 150k+
  741%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated there was corrosion on the passenger's side front struts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined the repair under Manufacturer Campaign ID: R1107 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The driver's side front struts were repaired prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the mileage requirements were not met. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

The strut tower repair that was made by Nissan in 09/2011 as part of NHTSA recall campaign #11v24000 (strut tower corrosion recall because of salt in new england states) failed on 8/17/2015. As a direct result of the structural failure in the passenger side strut tower, the break-line severed causing an immediate breaking failure, and also made the car unsafe to drive because of the structural failure which exposed the engine compartment to the interior wheel well. As of 8/26/2015, Nissan USA consumer affairs div. Refused to pay for the $1,300 in repairs (parts & labor) stating that they were not responsible to make additional repairs to correct the original recall notice because the vehicle is more than 8 years old, and they already fixed it as as a level 1 repair as required under the recall. …

Recently discovered a serious problem that frequently shows itself when driving at higher speeds (over 45) and one hits a bump or small pot hole the vehicle suddenly develops an extreme wobble making it very hard to control. I suddenly was in an adjacent lane and was almost hit. Doing some research on the internet it seems to be a common problem and even has been given a name. It's referred to as the death wobble. If one quickly slow down to wobble will go away. I was told by several mechanics don't drive on the highway you'll stand a good chance of flipping the vehicle. It seems the problem is failed bushings in rear control arms. Unfortunately when the problem shows when the car becomes difficult and dangerous to control. Repairs are costly and often misdiagnosed. It appears Nissan is aware but no safety warning or recall has been issued. …

Tl contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed and attempting to stop, the brakes hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician replaced the brakes and informed the contact that the strut housing panel was cracked. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The technician informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving over bumps in the road at various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the struts were rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (executive Nissan, 900 universal dr n, north haven, ct 06473), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,325.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the steering wheel was extremely tight and difficult to turn left and right. The contact stated that the strut tower was separating from the frame due to extensive rust and corrosion associated with the driver side of the vehicle, near the front passenger and driver side wheel wells. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact called to inquire about NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). The previous owner had the recall repaired at martin Nissan (5240 golf rd, skokie, il 60077, [phone]) and they stated that the recall repair was only performed on the driver's side of the frame. The contact stated that the failure was currently on the passenger side of the frame. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. While making a turn at 30 MPH, an unknown noise was heard whenever a turn was made. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the strut tower failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000(steering, suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.

At speeds over 50 MPH the car begins to wobble, have been told this is a common problem involing faulty trailing arm bushing/ rear arm bushing and bearing need to be replaced causing what is coommonly known as the death wobble. But lets up when you let up off the gas? To me this a major safety issue! That many have had this problem, that I have found on on line forums.. Why hasn't Nissan recalled this issue?

While driving 2003 Nissan Pathfinder I hit pothole on a city street, heard loud bang, shortly after completely lost all braking abilities, upon bringing my vehicle home and examining I notice the right front strut housing had separated from frame snapping the brake line on the right front. Appears to be the same corrosion issue as the recall on the left front strut housing.

Related recalls

Suspension complaints in other Pathfinder years