2001 Nissan Pathfinder Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact was attempting to use her brakes to slow for traffic and was unable to stop. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to get the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that prior to the failure her ABS warning had been illuminated for a long period of time prior to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to a significant amount of rust, the front suspension and struts and brake pads, and rotors had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering and Suspension). The work had been previously completed by a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

FAMILY CAR;2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WE GOT IN THE TRUCK AND DROVE ABOUT 250 FEET TO THE STOP SIGN. I STOP. AS I STARTED MOVING AND SUDDENLY I HEAR A POP LOUD SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND MY STEERING GOT HARD AND DIFFICULT TO STEER AND A GRINDING SOUND AS YOU TURN THE STEERING. DROVE BACK TO THE HOUSE SLOW AND PARK. OPEN THE HOOD AND I SEE THE STRUT TOWER UNDER NEATH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, THEN I LOOK BETWEEN LEFT SIDE (DRIVERS) TIRE THE STRUT TOWER JUST RIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WELD. MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCUR. WHAT IF THIS OCCUR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 106523 MILES AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR A PA INSPECTION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FRACTURED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND SENT THEM TO KLINE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 3090 HWY 31 N, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (877) 284-5230). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STRUCTURE) AND REPAIRED IN 2015. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A U-TURN AND THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD AND RAN INTO A CURB. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE AND ALIGN THE VEHICLE AGAINST THE CURB, ALTHOUGH THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SCENE. KLINE NISSAN (3090 HWY 61 N, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (877) 284-5230) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECURRING FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALSER NISSAN WAYZATA (612-426-6995, LOCATED AT 15906 WAYZATA BLVD, WAYZATA, MN 55391) VIA THE AFTER HOUR SERVICE. THE CONTACT LEFT A MESSAGE FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REPORT. THE CONTACT WENT ON A VACATION. OVERNIGHT, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEALER CALLED THE CONTACT AND INFORMED HIM TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE PREMISES BEFORE 8AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS OUT OF TOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT BY THE DEALER. FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000. The contact is requesting a call back from a NHTSA Supervisor or Administrator.

DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WERE THE TRUCK WILL PASS VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THERE WAS A RECALL PERFORMED BY SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY NISSAN FOR THE RUST ISSUE ON BOTH INNER WHEEL WELLS AND STRUT TOWER AREA.

THE SUB-FRAME/CRADLE 54400-0W00 ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ROTTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT IT WILL NOT PASS A PA STATE INSPECTION. THIS WAS FOUND BY MY MECHANIC WHILE HE WAS REPLACING THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES. MY MECHANIC HAS ORDERED A NEW SUB FRAME + BOLTS TO REPLACE THE ROTTED OUT SUB-FRAME. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER SUB-FRAMES ARE ROTTED OUT ON PATHFINDERS FROM 1996 TO 2004 WHICH IS WHEN NISSAN USED THIS PARTICULAR PART. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS PART FAILS COMPLETELY WHAT WILL HAPPEN??? I HAVE RESTRICTED DRIVING MY PATHFINDER UNTIL THE NEW PART IS INSTALLED. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILS AND IT WILL SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR EVEN KILLED? THE CONTROL ARMS MOUNTED TO THIS PART WHICH CONTROLS STEERING. THIS PART PLUS LABOR WILL COST ME ABOUT $1500.00.

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAITING TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURN; ATTEMPTING TO TURN RESULTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL SPINNING FREELY; VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED; INITIAL INSPECTION REVEALED STEERING COLUMN SHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF; UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER HAD RIPPED AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE TRUCK; **THIS VEHICLE HAD RECALLS ISSUED IN THE PAST, IT WAS TAKEN TO LECKNER NISSAN IN STAFFORD, VA BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT MITIGATE THE PROBLEM - THEY SIMPLY CLEARED THE RECALL FROM THE COMPUTER**

1. FEET HOLDER IS BROKEN . 2. STEERING IS LOSE THAT'S WHY SOMETIMES CAR DOESN'T START UNTIL YOU TRY TO MOVE THE GEAR OF STEERING . 3. PRESSING GAS PADDLE MAKE TOO MUCH NOISE AND VERY SLOW PICK UP .

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED A CREAKING SOUND ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

THE 01 THRU 04 PATHFINDER HAS SOME KIND OF REAR SUSPENSION FLAW. THE ONLINE FORUMS CALL IT A DEATH SWAY AND I AGREE. IT IS BEYOND ME WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. IF YOU HAVE SOMETIME I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOU ON A RIDE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOMETHING WOULD GET DONE AFTER RIDING WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, WHICH PROGRESSED RANDOMLY AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE STRUT TOWERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZING AND MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL AND TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). ONE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH RUST AND CORROSION TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR WEEKS LATER FROM A SECOND DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOT LOOSE AND UNRESPONSIVE. CAR STARTED TO SWERVE ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC SO IT WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. FRAME STRUT COVER CAME LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION AND BROKE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED. WE DID NOT GO OVER 40 ON THE TEST DRIVE. THE NEXT DAY ONCE WE APPROACHED 55 MPH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY WOBBLE BACK AND FORTH. WE DECIDED TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND TONS OF COMPLAINTS WERE CITED ABOUT THE SAME"DEATH WOBBLE" ISSUE. WE HAD DONE AND ALIGNMENT, ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES AND IT HELPED SLIGHTLY BUT THE WOBBLE IS STILL THERE. IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BUSHINGS AND /OR CONTROL ARMS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED WITH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS? WE HAVE NOT PRICED IT OUT BUT SEEMS TO BE A COSTLY FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND BECAME STIFF WHEN TURNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE ON THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING AND THERE WAS CORROSION PRESENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V244000 (STEERING , SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE PRESENT HOWEVER THE VEHICLE DID NOT REQUIRE ANY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

MY CAR WAS PARKED OUT IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE BY THE MAIL BOX, WHEN SOME GUY BACKED UP INTO MY CAR PUSHING IT ABOUT 4 FT BACK. DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER, HOOD, AND WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL USED TO BE STRAIGHT NOW ITS TURNED HALF WAYS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH I ONLY WENT AROUND THE BLOCK CAUSE I GOT TOO SCARED. BUT APPARENTLY DRIVER HAS NO INSURANCE AND HES ON DISABILITY. *TR

EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL THE SPEED OF 60 MPH WAS REACHED. BETWEEN 60 AND 65 STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHIMMING, ABOVE 67 MPH SHIMMING EASED UP. THERE IS 4 NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WITH ELECTRONIC BALANCING. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 20013 AND NEVER DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS UNTIL THE DATE IN QUESTION, 5/27/14. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER OWNERS OF THE PATHFINDER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT THE 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER 1 WEEK PRIOR FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH I HIT A VERY LARGE POT HOLE, COMMON IN MN. I HEARD A EXTRA LOUD BANG COME FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND PULLED OVER INSTANTLY, UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE TIRE AND WHEEL WELL WERE ALMOST IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER I COULDN'T SEE WHAT HAD BROKE, BEING THAT IT WAS A PITCH BLACK NIGHT. SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE UP AND RAN DIRECTLY TO MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW STRUTS SHOCKS AND CV AXLES I AGREED WITH HIS BID AND HE BEGAN WORK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SHOCKS, STRUTS, CV AXLE. NEXT HE DOES THE DRIVER SIDE AND NOTICES THAT STRUT IS NOT STAYING IN PLACE, FINISHES THE JOB CALLS ME AND SAYS THE JOB IS COMPLETE BUT HE NEEDS TO TALK, I GET TO THE MECHANICS AND HE HANDS ME A BILL FOR $830 AND SHOWS ME THAT THE STRUT HOUSING ON DRIVERS SIDE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND NEED TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS COVERED BY THE RECALL. *TR

MY CAR BODY STRUCTURE WAS BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES, AND IT IS NOT OPERABLE. THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE STRUT TOWER ON MY 2001 PATHFINDER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE STRUT TOWER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY DUE TO THE RUST. WHEN THE TOWER FINALLY LET GO, THE STEERING WAS AFFECTED CAUSING ISSUES STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE FRAME BODY STRUCTURE. IT CAUSED ALSO DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. BEFORE MY CAR GOT BROKEN, I HEARD A NOISE FROM ITS RIGHT SIDE AND I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY, FOR A SECOND I LOST THE ABILITY TO STEEL MY CAR, BUT I KEPT IT STEADY UNTIL I COULD GET THE NEXT EXIT. I COULD HAVE SUFFERED A FATAL ACCIDENT THAT DAY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR FRAME/BODY STRUCTURE CORROSION FOR THIS MODEL 2001 PATHFINDER REGISTERED IN NEW JERSEY. AS SOON I WAS AWARE ABOUT IT, I CALLED TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION. ONE OF THE NISSAN REPRESS. ADVISED ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AVENEL NJ. MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE, SO I CALLED TO THE TOWING TRUCK TO PICK AND DROP IT OFF TO THE DEALERSHIP ON DEC 26, 2013. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE FROM NISSAN TO HELP ME WITH MY SITUATION. EACH TIME I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE, THEY SAID THAT MY CASE IS STILL IN PROCESS, AND I NEED TO WAIT FOR A DECISION. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT, I HAVE BEEN IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION DRIVEN MY CAR IN THAT MATTER. I NEED A CAR TO GO TO WORK FOR MY LIVELIHOOD AND ALSO TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO THEIR SCHOOL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A CAR RENTAL. AND AFTER ALL OF THESE, NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE ANY SENSE OF COOPERATION. I REQUESTED THEM TO HELP ME WITH A PROVISIONAL CAR TO KEEP MY LIFE STYLE ON, BUT THEY DENIED IT. I NEED HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT NHTSA TO MAKE NISSAN TAKE CARE ABOUT THIS RECALL. *TR