← New search

1997 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Pathfinder years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder are substantially higher than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 129 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

217 reports
62,615 miles · Oct 6, 2004
Air Bags

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHICH RENDERED THE AIR BAG INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10095261

80,000 miles · Aug 22, 2004
Suspension

FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED TO ROCK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMED TO GET WORSE AND WAS NOTICED EVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS. REPLACED FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10088359

97,000 miles · Aug 17, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS HEAVY VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10088029

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE NOTICED A DIFFERENT SOOUND COMMING FROM THE EXHAUST. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACK. THIS IS WHY I WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS A SAFETY OR MANUFACTURE DEFECT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THE MANIFOLD WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER OR WHAT SHOULD I DO. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086230

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2004
Suspension

1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. SWAYS AND ROCKS WHILE DRIVING. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS SCARY WHEN IT REALLY GETS GOING. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR PATHFINDER. MY MECHANIC HAS NOT YET DIOGNOSED BUT MY FRIENDS WAS THE TRAILER ARMS WE WORN/BENT. AS I HAVE INVESITGATED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON …

Read full complaint

1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. SWAYS AND ROCKS WHILE DRIVING. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS SCARY WHEN IT REALLY GETS GOING. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND WITH THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR PATHFINDER. MY MECHANIC HAS NOT YET DIOGNOSED BUT MY FRIENDS WAS THE TRAILER ARMS WE WORN/BENT. AS I HAVE INVESITGATED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080794

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

TRAVELING 20-30MPH, REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR - SIDE PANEL WHERE THE SEAT BELT DISAPPEARS INTO BROKE APART FROM THE SIDE FRAME CAUSING ME TO COME WITHIN 5 TO 6" OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND A BRUISE ON THE BACK OF MY LEFT ARM. I NORMALLY SIT ANYWHERE FROM 12 TO 14 INCHES FROM THE STEERIN…

Read full complaint

TRAVELING 20-30MPH, REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR - SIDE PANEL WHERE THE SEAT BELT DISAPPEARS INTO BROKE APART FROM THE SIDE FRAME CAUSING ME TO COME WITHIN 5 TO 6" OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND A BRUISE ON THE BACK OF MY LEFT ARM. I NORMALLY SIT ANYWHERE FROM 12 TO 14 INCHES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR - CRUSHED RADIATOR AND BUMPER AND GRILL ASSEMBLY DEMOLISHED; CAR WAS TOTALED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI #10079008

75,000 miles · Jun 24, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BUT THE CRACK RECURRED. *AK THE FIRST MANIFOLD CRACKED AFTER 75000 MILES. THE SECOND MANIFOLD CRACKED AFTER 30000 MILES. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IF THE MANIFOL…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD. THE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BUT THE CRACK RECURRED. *AK THE FIRST MANIFOLD CRACKED AFTER 75000 MILES. THE SECOND MANIFOLD CRACKED AFTER 30000 MILES. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IF THE MANIFOLDS CONTINUE TO CRACK THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES COULD ENTER THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10073685

52,000 miles · May 11, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH SUDDENLY THERE WAS A CLUCKING NOISE. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE THE NOISE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS STICKING OUT AT AN ANGLE. ALSO, SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING WAS STICKING OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-30 MPH SUDDENLY THERE WAS A CLUCKING NOISE. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE THE NOISE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS STICKING OUT AT AN ANGLE. ALSO, SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING WAS STICKING OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073441

42,840 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THIS OCCURRED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME UPON ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE SECOND TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE. THIS RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A TREE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED REAR END DAMAGE. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064621

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2004
Tires

ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2004, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 DRIVING ON THE EAST BOUND LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY OHE OF THE TIRES ON MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHREDDED/CAME APART THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT 265/70/15 # ELEKDCL1100. I JUST PURCHASED THE TRUCK ONE MONTH AGO, AND FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD AT THE BRIDGESTON/FIRESTONE DEALER …

Read full complaint

ON SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2004, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:00 DRIVING ON THE EAST BOUND LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY OHE OF THE TIRES ON MY 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SHREDDED/CAME APART THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT 265/70/15 # ELEKDCL1100. I JUST PURCHASED THE TRUCK ONE MONTH AGO, AND FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD AT THE BRIDGESTON/FIRESTONE DEALER THE TIRE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. 3 YEAR OLD TIRES SHOULD WEAR DOWN NOT COME APART. I WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. MY TRUCK SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT 1/4 PANEL, DOOR, WHEEL WELL MOLDING, THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND RUNNING BOARD. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE HELPS TO ALLOW ME TO MAKE A LIVING AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT IT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT TO HELP ME RESOLVE THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE AND WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND AND CAN ONLY HOPE THIS CAN BE RESOLVED IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS OR SO, WHICH IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT. IF YOU CAN GIVE/FORWARD ANY FURTHER INFORMATION TO ME I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. I CAN ALSO BE REACHED AT 631-463-9084. THANK YOU FOR HANDLING THIS IN AN EXPEDIENT MANNER PAUL BALSAMO . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10062193

Official recalls

2

11V244000 · Steering:column; Suspension:front

Apr 20, 2011

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension:front

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Steering:column

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

07V435000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Sep 18, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11004 · Frame/body Structure Corrosion

Opened Jan 28, 2011 · Closed Jun 30, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:macpherson Strut; Suspension:front:shock Absorber

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 including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Steering:column

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 including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Steering

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 including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front:macpherson Strut

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 including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front

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 including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension:front:shock Absorber

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 including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

Suspension

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 including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.