2002 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE WELDED PRIOR TO REPLACING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 PATHFINDER TO WORK ON MONDAY OF THIS WEEK WHEN I STARTED TO FEEL A SLIGHT SHAKING IN MY STEERING WHEEL AND CHATTER IN MY BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY I COULD BARELY MAKE A RIGHT TURN AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY STIFF. I CHECKED MY FRONT END AND WHAT I FOUND WAS FRIGHTENING. THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER HAD TORN FROM THE FRAME AND BODY AND WAS NOW PUSHING AGAINST BOTH THE STEERING SHAFT AND MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS BENT UP AT AN ANGLE. MY MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS NOW SUPPORTING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL! THANK GOD THE STRUT DID NOT SNAP THE STEERING SHAFT OR MASTER CYLINDER WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I MIGHT BE IN A HOSPITAL BED OR DEAD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME THAT IT RECEIVED A LEVEL 1 REPAIR BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER (I AM THE SECOND OWNER) IN 2011 AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE EXCEPT TO CALL CORPORATE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE RECALL HAS TWO LEVELS: 1 AND 2. LEVEL 1 IS A SIMPLE INSPECTION, CLEANING AND COATING. LEVEL 2 REQUIRES A BOLTED IN METAL BRACE BE INSTALLED TO REINFORCE THE STRUT TOWER. NISSAN CORPORATE TOLD ME THE LEVEL 1 REPAIR WAS ALREADY COMPLETED AND NOTHING FURTHER COULD BE DONE EVEN THOUGH THE REPAIR DID NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND NOW I AM IN NEED OF A LEVEL 2 REPAIR. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NISSAN CAN WALK AWAY FROM THIS AFTER THEIR LEVEL 1 FIX FAILS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE LEVEL 1 REPAIR IS A TICKING TIME BOMB AS THE SO CALLED "FIX" DOES NOTHING TO STOP THE TOWER FROM FAILING. I HONESTLY FEEL THAT NISSAN HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH TO REMEDY THE ISSUE AND THERE COULD STILL BE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF PATHFINDERS WITH BOGUS LEVEL 1 REPAIRS ON OUR ROADS RIGHT THIS MINUTE. NISSAN SHOULD PROVIDE THE LEVEL 2 RECALL EVEN IF LEVEL 1 HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.

THE AREA WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME/BODY RUSTED OUT MAKING THE THE CAR UNSAFE TI BE ON THR ROAD. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT OTHER AREAS OF THE UNIBODY WERE ALSO RUSTING AWAY AND ADVISED JUNKING THE CAR.

SECOND TIME!!

SHOULD BE A RECALL

NOT PLEASED WITH THE WAY NISSAN REPAIRED THE STRUT HOUSING RECALL ON MY PATHFINDER! THERE WAS A FOOT LONG GASH THAT WAS ABOUT 3IN. WIDE THAT NISSAN REPAIRED WITH A PIECE OF SHEET METAL ,4 NUTS N BOLTS, AND COCKING..NOW A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I HAVE TWO MORE CRACKS SHOWING UP IN FRONT OF FIX THAT ARE RUNNING FROM FRAME UP TOWARDS THE HOOD. GOING TO TAKE IT TO A FEW DIFFERENT STATE INSPECTION PLACES TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT BEFORE I TAKE IT BACK TO NISSAN DEALER BECAUSE NISSAN IS SAYING THERE FIX IS GOOD. DON'T KNOW HOW THERE FIX COULD BE GOOD WHEN THEY NEVER DID ANY WELDING AND NOW I HAVE NEW CRACKS RUNNING VERTICAL TOWARDS MY HOOD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS EXCESSIVELY CORRODED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A ROCKING VIBRATION EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A BUMPY ROAD, THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE STRUTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

THE CHASSIS ON MY VEHICLE WAS ROTTEN AS PER THE RECALL R1107. PREMIUM NISSAN REPAIRED THE CHASSIS WITH A PATCH THAT IS NOT SAFE AT ALL TO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AGAIN BY OTHER MECHANICS AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE AND STARTS TO WOBBLE (REAR SUSPENSION) AT 55 MPH AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS.. FEELS LIKE VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL.. NEED TO BRING SPEED DOWN TO CONTROL VEHICLE. *TR

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURER RECALL ISSUE TO BUY BACK VEHICLE AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED NISSAN WAS WILLING TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK, FOR ONLY $3114.00.

WHILE DRIVING TO TEXAS LAST OCTOBER WITH THE WIFE MY VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO WOBBLE LEFT TO RIGHT. THERE WAS A CERTAIN SPEED IN WHICH VEHICLE DID NOT DO IT AND IT WAS 60 MPH. SINCE I AM DISABLED I HAD MY YOUNG BROTHER LOOK INTO IT.SO HE TOOK IT TO A SHOP IN HOUSTON TX AND HAD HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS PUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NEW TIRES. WHEN WE HEADED BACK TO CALIFORNIA THE CAR RAN FINE. MARCH OF THIS YEAR THE WOBBLING PROBLEM CAME BACK. OUR SON CHECKED IT OUT AND SAYS THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION NEEDS ALL THE BUSHINGS REPLACED BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THE DEALER OR A PRO SHOP REPAIR IT SOMETHING WHICH WILL COST AN ARM AND A LEG. CAN I GET ANY KIND OF HELP? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

DRIVING AT 65 MPH., THE PATHFINDER ROCKS (WOBBLES) SIDE TO SIDE AND THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER FOR THE DRIVER TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF VEHICLE, THE DRIVER MUST RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE'S SPEED TO SLOW DOWN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE PATHFINDER'S RUBBER BUSHINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT PUTS MANY DRIVERS AT RISK. THERE'S NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER HOUSINGS FOR NISSAN PATHFINDERS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING BECAME SO CORRODED IT BROKE AND MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN APRIL 2011 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

I HAVE BEEN HEARING NOISES IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, FOR MONTHS.THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED RECENTLY,WHICH IS WHEN WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM.WE DISCOVERED A ROTTED FRAME RAIL WHERE THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING MOUNTS TO A PLATE BUILT INTO THE FRAME. THE ROT IS ON BOTH SIDES, BUT MUCH WORSE ON THE PASSENGER REAR. THE SPRING IS ABOUT TO COME THROUGH.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! AND IT'''S OUR CAR,AND WE DON'''T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT. THIS MUST BE HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS AS WELL. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN TO A KEPT UP, BEAUTIFUL 2002 PATHFINDER?? IT MUST HAVE STARTED ROTTING YEARS AGO,PROBABLY WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES, AND THE CAR IS NOW ONLY 9 YRS OLD. THERE IS APPARENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT STRUT HOUSINGS FOR ROT BUT NOT THE REARS. TO KEEP THE CAR, THE OBVIOUS, IS A COSTLY REPAIR. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING-THEY INSPECTED THE CAR IN 2007 WHEN THE CORROSION WARRANTY WAS ACTIVE ON THE FRAME.THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT AND I FEEL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE.THEY ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ME SINCE I WAS TOLD "I DIDN'T SPEND ENOUGH MONEY" AT THE DEALER OVER THE YEARS FOR SERVICE.IT IS 35 MILES FROM MY HOUSE.NISSAN SAYS IT'S AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE" HOW?? THERE IS NO ROT ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR ,INCLUDING THE RECALLED FRONT STRUT TOWERS. THE CAR IS ROTTING AWAY FROM BENEATH ME.I THREATENED TO SUE THEM AND THEY SAID THEY ARE "NOT OBLIGATED" TO REPAIR IT.THEY DON'T CARE.THIS ROT OF THE REAR FRAME SHOULD NEVER OCCUR AS IT HAS,STARTING PROBABLY WHEN IT WAS ONLY 6 YRS OLD,AND BE IN THIS CONDITION IN ONLY 9 YRS.THE STEEL MUST BE DEFECTED.I WILL ''NEVER'' BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN PATHFINDERS.THE CAR WOULD PROBABLY HAVE RUN WELL FOR ANOTHER 5 YRS AND GONE TO 250K MILES BUT THE FRAME WILL NOT LAST.WHAT A SHAME.THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TT

EMAIL MESSAGE FORWARDED FROM FHWA-WROTE REGARDING THE SAFETY RECALL OF HIS 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW DOES HE NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR HIS VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS NO LONGER REGISTERED IN A SALT STATE. *JB

CAR DEVELOPS A VIOLENT WOBBLE AT 55-75 MPH WHEN YOU ENGAGE OR RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL NISSAN PATHFINDERS AFTER APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES. THE REAR TRAILING ARM LINK BUSHINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 100K MILES IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE COST TO DO THIS FOR ALL 8 BUSHINGS IS $650-$1000, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GET IT DONE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPLACE JUST THE BUSHINGS AND ONLY SELLS THE ENTIRE TRAILING ARM LINK. THUS, THE COST AT THE DEALERSHIP CAN EXCEED THIS ESTIMATE. MANY SAVVY OWNERS HAVE SOUGHT AFTERMARKET POLYURETHANE BUSHINGS TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM AND AVOID HAVING TO REPLACE THE BUSHINGS EVERY 100K MILES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WOBBLE. I WOULD EXPECT THAT MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THIS CONDITION AND IT IS OFTEN REPORTED AS "DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE." UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS NOT THE DRIVER'S FAULT WHEN THE VEHICLE BECOME HIGHLY UNSTABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE SUSPENSION FROM THIS DESIGN. THERE ARE TSBS REGARDING THIS CONDITION, YET NISSAN HAS FAILED TO FIX IT. *TR

THE FRONT END IS ALL RUSTED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE WHOLE FRONT TO FALL WHILE DRIVING. DT

WHEN HITTING A POTHOLE OR BUMP, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE DUE TO REAR COIL SPRINGS COMPRESSING, THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO INDICATED IT WAS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF VEHICLE. *AK *JG

VIBRATION PRESENT AT 20 MPH AND THEN AGAIN MOST NOTICABLE AT 38-40 MPH. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT ASSY-REAR. VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. DT