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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
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2001
Suspension

WHILE TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED OF 50 MPH THE VEHICLE COMMENCE TO SEVERELY VIBRATE AND SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL; DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPAIRS WAS MADE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #896917

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE STICKS WHEN STARTING FROM STOP/IDLE. NOT IN CABLE LINKAGE FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL. APPEARS TO BE IN THROTTLE BODY. SERIOUS CONCERN WHEN PARALLEL PARKED, OR IN STRING OF VECHICLES AT STOP SIGN. HELP!*AK

NHTSA ODI #751998

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Suspension

AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH VEHICLE FOR NO REASON SUDDENLY BEGINS TO ROCK RAPIDLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. FIRST ENCOUNTERED WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE BACK TO MAINE. WHEN ARRIVED IN MAINE HAD FRONT STRUTS AND REAR SHOCKS REPLACED. PROBLEM CONTINUES. AT HIGHWAY SPEED IF YOU EVEN SLIGHLY RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN OR COAST, VE…

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AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH VEHICLE FOR NO REASON SUDDENLY BEGINS TO ROCK RAPIDLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. FIRST ENCOUNTERED WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE BACK TO MAINE. WHEN ARRIVED IN MAINE HAD FRONT STRUTS AND REAR SHOCKS REPLACED. PROBLEM CONTINUES. AT HIGHWAY SPEED IF YOU EVEN SLIGHLY RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN OR COAST, VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO RAPIDLY ROCK SIDE TO SIDE. CALLED NISSAN, THEY NOTED NO ONE HAS REPORTED INCIDENT. HAVE SINCE DOWNLOADED SERVICE BULLITEN # NTB98001, DATE 9804, NHTSA ITEM # SB600088- COMPONENT SUSPENSION. STAES IN PART "... MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE PLAY IN FRONT/REAR SUSPENSION." PLEASE ADVISE WHAT SERVICE BULLITEN REFERS TO. WHAT RIGHTS DOES SERVICE BULLITEN PROVIDE TO THE CONSUMER? HOW DO I OBTAIN CORRECTION FROM MANUFACTURER? WHAT BECAME OF ISSUE FOLLOWING THE SERVICE BULLETIN. HAS NHTSA RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS?*AK

NHTSA ODI #751747

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2001
Suspension

WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH OR MORE VEHICLE WOULD ROCK BACK AND FORTH, MAKING IT HARDTO STEER VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #895339

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2001
Electrical SystemFire

WHILE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY SHE HEARD A NOISE.BLACK SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #894081

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

I'M JUST WONDERING IF MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PART BRAKE. NISSAN IS OFFERING TO PAY FOR 50% OF THE REPAIR, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE A BIG PROBLEM FOR THEM SO I WANT TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS GOING TO BECOME A RECALL ITEM. THEY ALREADY HAVE A "NOTICE" OUT ON THE PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE STICKS AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS SO…

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I'M JUST WONDERING IF MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PART BRAKE. NISSAN IS OFFERING TO PAY FOR 50% OF THE REPAIR, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE A BIG PROBLEM FOR THEM SO I WANT TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS GOING TO BECOME A RECALL ITEM. THEY ALREADY HAVE A "NOTICE" OUT ON THE PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE STICKS AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS SO WE ARE NOT DRIVING THE CAR TILL THIS BECOMES RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749261

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2001
Suspension

THE SUSPENSION ON THIS CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLING VIOLENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CAUSE WAS THE FAILURE OF RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE REAR AXLE LINK ASSY. THIS VEHICLE IS A 4WD WITH AN "OFF ROAD" PACKAGE. EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR OFF ROAD DRIVING, THE …

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THE SUSPENSION ON THIS CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLING VIOLENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CAUSE WAS THE FAILURE OF RUBBER BUSHINGS ON THE REAR AXLE LINK ASSY. THIS VEHICLE IS A 4WD WITH AN "OFF ROAD" PACKAGE. EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR OFF ROAD DRIVING, THE SUSPENSION STILL FAILED AND CAUSED AN UNSAFE CONDITION ON THE HIGHWAY. THE REQUIRED PARTS ARE BACKORDERED.

NHTSA ODI #748748

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2001
Suspension

JUST NOTICE THIS PROBLEM AT ABOUT 66,000MILES VEHICLES WOBBLES SIDE TO SIDE AT ACELLERATION 55-70MPH AND CONTINUES IF YOU HIT A DIP, BUMP IN THE ROAD DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM NEED HELP MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED BUT NISSAN DOESN'T EITHER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #748162

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2001
Tires

PURCHASED 4 TIRES FROM SEARS ON 07/27/00 AT COST OF $561.75. ON 05/05/01 WOBBLING NOTICED WITH ONLY 23423 MILES OF WEAR. RETURNED TO SEARS ON 07/02/2001 TO REPORT PROBABLE BELT SEPARATING. THEY REPORTED FEATHERING OF TREAD. THEY WANTED TO SELL ME NEW TIRES, NOT HONOR WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ADVISED B…

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PURCHASED 4 TIRES FROM SEARS ON 07/27/00 AT COST OF $561.75. ON 05/05/01 WOBBLING NOTICED WITH ONLY 23423 MILES OF WEAR. RETURNED TO SEARS ON 07/02/2001 TO REPORT PROBABLE BELT SEPARATING. THEY REPORTED FEATHERING OF TREAD. THEY WANTED TO SELL ME NEW TIRES, NOT HONOR WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ADVISED BY NISSAN DEALER NOT TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCE DUE TO POSSIBLE BLOW OUT. CONTACTED SEARS CUSTOMER RELATIONS. AWAITING REPLY. THESE ARE BF GOODRICH TIRES ALL TERRAIN RADIALS, 30X9.50R15LT. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 30950R15LT)

NHTSA ODI #747740

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2001
Air BagsCrash

IN ALL EFFORTS TO CONTACT THE NISSAN CO. NOONE WAS INTERESTED IN HEARING MY COMPLAINT. THEY JUST SAID I WASN'T EDUCATED IN WHAT MAKES AN AIRBAG WORK. WITH ALL DO RESPECT I FEEL LIKE A HEAD-ON COLLISSION WITH A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR AN AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLOY AND IF NOT THEY ARE NOT WHAT SAFETY REGULATORS SAY T…

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IN ALL EFFORTS TO CONTACT THE NISSAN CO. NOONE WAS INTERESTED IN HEARING MY COMPLAINT. THEY JUST SAID I WASN'T EDUCATED IN WHAT MAKES AN AIRBAG WORK. WITH ALL DO RESPECT I FEEL LIKE A HEAD-ON COLLISSION WITH A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR AN AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLOY AND IF NOT THEY ARE NOT WHAT SAFETY REGULATORS SAY THEY ARE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #747284

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.