2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER Structure Problems

This is in regards to a recall repair for the driver side strut tower. It has rusted out do to an improper recall repair.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE, WHICH IMPACTED THE CONTACT'S RIGHT EYE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED STITCHES AND MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,000.

Mileage: 207,000

THE LEFT FRONT STRUT HOUSING HAS CORRODED AND IS BREAKING AWAY. THIS SEEMS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE FOLLOWING RECALL:CAMPAIGN ID #: :R1107; NHTSA #11V-244. THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER, IS NOT REGISTERED IN DESIGNATED "SALT STATES" BUT OWNED AND OPERATED WITHIN 30 MILES OF 2 SUCH STATES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH POTENTIALLY FRACTURED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS EVENTUALLY PROVIDED WITH A LOANER VEHICLE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT A DEALER SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

I HEARD A RUBBING SOUND AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE WAS ACTING UNUSUAL SO I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC ASSUMING IT NEEDED BRAKES. WHEN THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL WAS TAKEN OFF IT WAS OVIOUS THAT MY BRAKE PAD WAS FINE. IT WAS NOTED THAT MY TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY AND IT WAS ALSO VERY VERY OVIOUS THAT THE ENTIRE WHEEL WHEEL AREA WAS CORRODED,RUSTED AND MISSING. THERE WAS A EXTREMELY LARGE HOLE BEING THE WHEEL AREA. LOOKING FURTHER IT WAS NOTED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS RUBBING AGAINST A PART OF THE ENGINE AREA. THAT EXPLAINS THE RUBBING SOUND AND DIFFUCULTY TURNING THE WHEEL. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS ROTTED AND THAT THE ENGINE MEASURED AROUND 2 INCHES LOWER AS IT WAS LEANING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE DAMAGE WAS SO EXTENSIVE THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THERE WASN'T ANY METAL AVAILABLE UNDER THE TRUCK TO EVEN WELD ANY REINFORCEMENT TO. THE TRUCK WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND TO TAKE IT TO NISSAN. WE NEVER WENT ANY FURTHER WITH AN INSPECTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ECT. I DID TAKE IT TO NISSAN IN THE AFTERNOON AND WAS CALLED THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND TOLD MY TRUCK WAS FIXED. I WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED THE STRUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PUT SOME FIBERGLASS UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. THEY DID SAY THAT IT PASSED THEIR 100 AND SOMETHING POINT SAFETY CHECK. THEY NEVER ADDRESSED ANYTHING ELSE. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR A WEEK NOW.

I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION ON A RECALL IT WAS UNDER. I HIT A POTHOLE AND COULD NOT DRIVE OVER FORTY MILES AN HOUR. WHEN I GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME MY FRAME WAS BROKE. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE RECALL REPAIRS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T REPAIR THE FRAME BECAUSE THE RUST WAS OUTSIDE THE RECALL AREA. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT IT RUSTED THIS BAD TO CAUSE THE FRAME TO BREAK. I FEEL THAT THE FRAME WAS FATIGUED AND IT SHOULD EITHER BE FIXED OR I SHOULD AT LEAST GET MARKET VALUE FOR MY VEHICLE THAT I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE DUE TO IT BEING UNSAFE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD HELP ME OUT. I NEED MY VEHICLE OR A REFUND IN ORDER TO PUT A DOWN PAYMENT ON A NEW ONE. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. GRINDING NOISE EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. I INSPECTED THE FRONT END AND NOTICED THE STRUT HOUSING IS TEARING AWAY FROM THE FRAME. I GOOGLED THE ISSUE, FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL, AND CALLED NISSAN. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED FOR THIS RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 168,000

WE PURCHASED A NEW 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN MARCH OF 2000. THE VEHICLE HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN EXCLUSIVELY ON URBAN ROADWAYS AND HIGHWAYS (NO OFF-ROAD USAGE). THERE HAS BEEN NO UNUSUAL USAGE OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE NOT USED IT FOR TOWING OR TRANSPORT OF HEAVY OR CORROSIVE MATERIALS. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PER THE MANUFACTURER REQUIREMENTS. WHEN NOT IN USE, THE VEHICLE IS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY EVALUATED AND INSPECTED BY NISSAN MECHANICS DURING THE FREE INSPECTIONS OFFERED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. THEY NEVER REPORTED ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WE DEVELOPED A NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP FOR AN EVALUATION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT A PORTION OF THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD CRACKED. I IMMEDIATELY REQUESTED THAT THEY INSPECT THE REST OF THE FRAME FOR CORROSION. THEY REFUSED AND TOLD ME THAT ANY REPAIR WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE BY A BODY SHOP. THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. . AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR. THE AUTO BODY SHOP REMOVED THE ENGINE FROM THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE FRAME. THEY FOUND EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRAME. THERE ARE MANY LOCATIONS IN THE FRAME WHERE IT HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER MUST HAVE IMPROPERLY OR INADEQUATELY APPLIED ANTI-CORROSIVE MATERIALS TO THE FRAME. IT IS OBVIOUS NISSAN IS AWARE OF CORROSION ISSUES WITH PATHFINDER FRAMES. NISSAN REPAIRED A CORROSION RELATED PROBLEM WITH THE STRUT HOUSING WHILE THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REFERENCES TO PATHFINDER FRAME CORROSION ON THE INTERNET. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

SEVER BODY FRAME CORROSION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE (EXAMINED BY THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP) AND SURELY WILL NOT PASS THE NEW YORK STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. SERVICE RECALL ON THE "STRUT TOWER" CORROSION LAST YEAR BUT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THE BODY FRAME CORROSION DUE TO THE SAME CORROSION FACTOR THAT MAKES ME VERY UPSET ABOUT NISSAN. THIS MIGHT BE A LIFE DEATH IMPACT ON THE BODY FRAME CORROSION WHERE THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE BREAK IN 1/2 DUE TO NO BODY FRAME SUPPORT AT ALL. I M NOT SURE WHY NISSAN DO NOT TAKE ANY PROPER ACTION LIKE THE WAY TOYOTA FORESEEN THE IMPACT ON THE LIFE DEATH INCIDENT DUE TO BODY FRAME CORROSION. ACCORDING TO MANY WEB DISCUSSION AND FORUM RESOURCES, MANY NISSAN PATHFINDER OWNERS ARE SHARING THE SAME CORROSION ISSUES COMPLAINTS. I M WRITING TO ADDRESS AND TO KINDLY INFORM YOU TO COMMUNICATE THIS EXPERIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AND THIS MIGHT BE IN RELATIONSHIP TO POSSIBLE FUTURE LIFE DEATH INCIDENT IF NISSAN CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS BODY FRAME CORROSION IN A SERIOUS MATTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND TIME. *TR

Mileage: 199,501

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY LOOSE AND HARD TO MAINTAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT END FRAME WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE RUST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,400.

Mileage: 57,400

TOOK A LEFT HAND TURN INTO ALLEY, DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER BROKE FREE FROM INNER FENDER, BUSTED STEERING SHAFT. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED, TO AUTO BODY SHOP. INNER FENDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. STEERING ARM ALSO NEEDED REPLACING. AN ALIGNMENT WAS ALSO NEEDED AFTER THE REPAIR. CORROSION WAS THE CAUSE AUTO BODY SHOP APPLIED COATING TO THE INNER FENDER SO THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. TOTAL COST OF EVERYTHING WAS AROUND 2500 DOLLARS. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

I BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE STEPS ON THE SIDE OF THE SUV. THEY ARE IN THE SHAPE OF TUBES, AND HAVE RUSTED OUT. I HAD THEM REMOVED, AS THE RUSTED STEPS COULD NO LONGER SUPPORT A PERSON'S WEIGHT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ALL 2000 PATHFINDERS WITH THE STEP TUBES ARE EITHER RUSTED OUT, OR HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN THAT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR WATER TO GET INTO THE TUBES AND CREATE RUST. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

I JUST FOUND ACTION NUMBER PE11004 AND WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAS JUST HAPPENED TO MY 2000 PATHFINDER (117,000 MILES). I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT STRUT AREA AND WHEN I AND A MECHANIC LOOKED THERE WAS A VISIBLE, LARGE HORIZONTAL CRACK EXTENDING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS IN WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS THE SIDE MEMBER BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER. IN THE COURSE OF ABOUT A WEEK THE CRACK GOT NOTICEABLY LARGER AND THE CAR IS NOW NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE STEERING ROAD IS NOW RESTING AGAINST THE FRAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE NOTED ACTION. TWO MECHANICS HAVE NOW SAID THAT THIS IS HAZARDOUS AND THE CAR IS NEITHER SAFE TO DRIVE NOR REPAIRABLE IN THEIR OPINION, GIVEN THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED ON DRIVER SIDE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING-JUST LOOKING TO REVIEW RECALLS FROM NISSAN AND NOTICED I WASN'T THE ONLY ON WITH THIS ISSUE-SOUNDS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! SOME OF AS DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE OUR VEHICLES AT THIS TIME. *TR

2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER MAJOR FRONT DRIVERS STRUT TOWER CORROSION, CAUSED STEERING COLUMN TO SNAP. *TR

Mileage: 197,620

2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL RUSTING APART BY THE STRUT. MECHANIC SAYS IT COULD COMPLETELY FAIL CAUSING STRUT TO SHOOT UP THROUGH THE HOOD. PATHFINDER HAS 153,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 153,000

DRIVERS SIDE FRAME / WHEEL HOUSING RUSTED THRU TO TOTAL DETERIORATION. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

WE BROUGHT OUR 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO AN EXTREMELY LARGE CRACK THROUGH THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL AND ALONG THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE INNER FENDER WERE THE STRUT MOUNT IS LOCATED. THEY ATTEMPTED TO WELD IT TOGETHER BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL DUE TO THE ROT AND THINNESS OF THE FRAME. WE ARE NOW LEFT WITHOUT A CAR. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL DEALER, QUIRK NISSAN, FOR EXAMINATION. THEY TOLD US IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. WE THEN BROUGHT IT TO A THIRD MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND TO AVOID ALL POTHOLES. IF WE HIT A POTHOLE WE WOULD PROBABLY LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE STRUT. THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT THE FIRST MECHANIC TOLD US AS WELL. NISSAN IS THE ONLY ONE TO SAY IT IS SAFE. THIS HAS BEEN OUR PRIMARY CAR FOR THE LAST YEAR. ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF THE CAR ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE FIRST 100,000 MILES FOR ALL MAINTANCE AND WORK. WE NEVER TOOK IT OFF ROADING OR ON TO THE BEACH. IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO SALT WATER. WE ARE APPALLED THAT NISSAN HAS NOT CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. FROM WHAT WE HAVE READ ONLINE AND FROM SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TOLD US WHAT WE WERE READING WAS FOR PREVIOUS MODELS NOT OUR MODEL. THIS IS NOT TRUE! I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE, MY HUSBAND, 5 MONTH OLD BABY, AND I WERE NOT INJURED OR KILLED. NISSAN NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT AND CONDUCT A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 162,000

GAS PEDAL STICKING/BRAKES NOT WORKING. EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO STOP THE CAR. HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE STILL IN MOTION. CAR WAS TOWED. AT THE TIME THAT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR, THE SPEED READ 45 MPH. HOWEVER, WHEN THE TOW DRIVER ARRIVED HE STATED THAT THE RPM'S READ AS IF SOMEONE WAS PRESSING DOWN AT AT RATE OF 135 MPH - NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE FOR NOT STOPPING WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL. BROKEN CABLE ACCELERATOR. MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE INTERIOR BODY OF THE CAR HAD COMPLETLEY RUSTED; TO THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT DRIVEABLE.

Mileage: 159,107

I OWN A 2000 PATHFINDER. THE FRONT STRUT TOWER HAS SEPARATED FROM THE CAR'S FRAME DUE TO RUST. THIS REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL IT OCCURRED AFTER I HIT A POTHOLE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

MY 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER SEEMED EXCESSIVELY BUMPY AND THE STEERING SEEMED VERY STIFF AT TIMES AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE. I TOOK IT INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE WHEELWELL IS ATTACHED TO A STRUT MOUNT. THE STRUT IS LOOSE (CAUSING THE BUMPY RIDE) AND THE STRUT IS PRESSING AGAINST THE STEERING SYSTEM CAUSING THE STEERING TO BE STIFF. THE NISSAN SHOP TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND REFERRED ME TO A BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE. THE BODY SHOP TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL NISSAN AND/OR LEXUSES (LEXUS PATHFINDER MODEL - I THINK IT IS THE RX330). I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT AND WENT OVER A BUMP, THE STRUT COULD PLUNGE THROUGH THE HOOD. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT IF I WERE TO HIT A POTHOLE AT ON A HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY (STATE FARM) AND WAS TOLD THAT IF A POTHOLE CAUSED THE DAMAGE THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. HOWEVER, AFTER INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT ISSUE WITH PATHFINDERS AND THE LEXUS RX330 AND THE CAUSE WAS THAT THE FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND THE POTHOLE WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THIS DAMAGE TO A NON-DEFECTIVE FRAME. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN THE PATHFINDER "OFF-ROAD." I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS ABOUT $1,800. I AM HAVING IT REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 179,000

MY 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE STARTED MAKING STRANGE NOISES IN THE FRONT END ABOUT A WEEK AGO. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE STRUT TOWER HAD TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TAPPED IT WITH A HAMMER, IT CREATED A HUGE HOLE, AND THE FRAME JUST DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND MUST BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. HAVING IT REPAIRED IS NOT FEASIBLE. AS A MECHANIC, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE. IT'S MAINTAINED AND WASHED REGULARLY. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE PATHFINDER, AND SHOULD WARRANT A PRODUCT RECALL. DRIVING THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS WOULD BE RISKING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. *TR

Mileage: 157,000

I OWN A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE, WITH 149,000 MILES, WHICH IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. TUES 7/27/10, WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I LOST STEERING CONTROL. FIND STEERING COLUMN IS SNAPPED. TOW TO MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERS THE SHOCK TOWER, WHICH IS PART OF THE FRAME (UNI-BODY DESIGN), HAS SHEARED AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE WHEEL-WELL. THE SHOCK TOWER HAS PUSHED UP INTO THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING IT TO BREAK. MECHANIC GAVE ESTIMATE OF $640.00 FOR STEERING, AND AT LEAST $1700.00 FOR THE WHEEL-WELL, WHICH IS A BODY SHOP REPAIR. ALSO SUGGESTED TO CALL NISSAN TO SEE IF THERE A RECALL ON WHEEL-WELLS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. CONTROL ARMS JUST BELOW TEARING IN FRAME, IF TEARING CONTINUED, WHEEL COULD ALSO BECOME DISLODGED, IN ADDITION TO LOSS OF STEERING. NISSAN WAS CALLED, AND WANTS VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR VERIFICATION AT MY EXPENSE, AND IN ADDITION PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE. APPARENTLY, I AM AT THEIR MERCY, HOWEVER HOW CAN THEY GIVE ME AN UNBIASED DIAGNOSTIC, AS I AM SURE THE RESULTS WILL BE IN THEIR FAVOR. I AM NOW AT A STANDSTILL AS THE REPAIRS WILL APPARENTLY OUTWEIGH THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS $4125 TRADE-IN VALUE. HOWEVER, IF THIS HAPPENED ON ONE SIDE, IT IS REASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT WILL OCCUR ON THE OTHER, DOUBLING COST OF REPAIRS. *TR

Mileage: 149,000

I HAVE HAD 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER FOR 18MONTHS . MY 18 YR OLD DAUGHTER COMPLAINED OF A PROBLEM WITH FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL FEELING VERY FUNNY AND ABS LIGHT ON. I TOOK CAR TO SERVICE STATING AND WAS TOLD CHASSIS WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY LEAVING SHOCK TO GO UP INTO MOTOR AND PULLING AWAY THE ABS CORD. NOTHING WAS ON THE BOTTOM OF CAR. YOU COULD SEE CLEARLY INTO THE MOTOR FROM THE WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS TRUCK ONLY HAS 62,000 MILES AND CHASSIS SHOULD NOT HAVE ROTTED OFF MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SERVICE STATION SAID DO NOT DRIVE UNLESS A CHASSIS CAN BE WELDED. BROUGHT TRUCK TO SINY NISSAN SRV. CENTER AS DIRECTED BY NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND NISSAN THEMSELVES SAID DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY. IE WHEEL COULD LOCK UP AS FRAME PULLED AWAY AND PULLED ABS AND SHOCK WAS GOING UP TOWARD MOTOR AS FRAME ROTTED AWAY AND NOTHING TO HOLD SHOCK. I REPORTED FINDINGS TO NISSAN CUSTOMER SRV AND THEY NEEDED SOME TIME TO RESEARCH. I EMAILED NISSAN PICTURES OF THE FRAME THAT NO LONGER WAS THERE AND THEY WERE IN TOUCH WITH NISSAN IN SINY TO SEE WHAT THE FINDING WERE. I HAD THE CAR WELDED AS NISSAN DOES NOT DO WELDING AND SENT THE BILL ALONG WITH THE PICTURES TO NADIA CLAIMS SPECIALIST FILE NO 6834802. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE VEHICLE WAS PAST WARRANTY THEY WERE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR. MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON A HIGHWAY AS THERE WAS NO FRAME TO A VEHICLE WITH 62,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THEMSELVES NOT TO DRIVE AS IT WAS DANGEROUS. WHO WOULD PURCHASE A VEHICLE WITH 52000 MILES FOR 6800 AND AFTER 10,000 POSE A RISK TO THEIRSELVES OR FAMILY MEMBERS IF THEY KNEW THIS COULD HAPPEN. NOT ONLY ARE THEY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS BUT I NO LONGER WANT THIS VEHICLE. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED AS THIS WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THE ABS AND SHOCK REPAIRED (WHICH WAS NOT. NISSAN AND THEIR GROUP FEELS THIS IS NOT WARRANTED. I FEEL THEY ARE VERY RESPONSIBLE AS DOES THEIR OWN SPECIALISTS IN SINY. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

THE STEERING IN MY 2000 PATHFINDER SEEMED TO BE RUBBING. I TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS RUSTED METAL RUBBING AGAINST THE STEERING COLUMN AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE A BODY SHOP LOOK AT IT. I TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP AND HE SAID HE'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE BUT MY FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND WOULD COST MORE TO FIX IT THAN THE TRUCK IS WORTH. HE ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE MY WHEELS COULD LITERALLY FALL IN CAUSING A BAD ACCIDENT. I JUST PAID THE TRUCK OFF LAST YEAR AND NOW UNLESS NISSAN DOES SOMETHING I JUST OWN IT BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT. *TR

Mileage: 178

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE NOISE WORSENED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SALVAGEABLE. THE FRAME WAS BUILT INSUFFICIENTLY AND WAS ROTTED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD MOLD THE FRAME BACK TOGETHER, BUT IT WOULD ONLY LAST TEMPORARILY. THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON HIS VEHICLE FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE. HE BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

A RUSTING OF THE LOWER AREA ON THE SIDE RUNNING BOARDS. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE THAT THE SALT IN THE NORTHERN STATES (I USED TO LIVE IN PITTSBURGH PA) CAUSED A RECALL OF INSUFFICIENT COATING IN THE GAS TUBE AREA. I BELIEVE THIS SAME REASON FOR THIS RECALL (SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS) IS THE SAME REASON FOR THE RUSTING THAT HAS SHOWN UP IN ONLY TWO SPOTS ON MY VEHICLE (SAME EXACT SPOT ON BOTH SIDES). *TR

Mileage: 98,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE MUFFLER AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTED FROM THE FRONT END TO THE REAR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO UNDERCARRIAGE COATING. THE FAILURE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V435000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25,000.

Mileage: 25,000

IBOUGHT MY 2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER LAST SEPT. 11, 2003 WITH A ODOMETER READING OF 59,000 MILES.I DID REARCH ON THIS CARAND CHOSE THE PATHFINDER FOR ITS REPUTATION AND DEPENDABILITY. I EVEN BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY(GOLD POWERTRAIN)TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE. IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR I HAD TO HAVE A SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $670.83, THEN IN JULY I HAD TO HAVE MY BOLT-WHEEL HUB REPLACED AT A COST OF $52.52. NOW THIS MONTH I HAVING TO REPLACE THE DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $212.32 THAT'S A TOTAL OF $935.67 IN LESS THAN 9 MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR.THREE MONTHS IN A ROW ON REPAIRS.AND TO TOP IT OFF MY WARRANTY COVERS NOTHING.THIS CAR HAS NOT PROVEN TO ME TO BE RELIABLE.I'M A SINGLE MOM WITH A SON IN COLLEGE AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY SON BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION.I WOULD APPRECIATE IF NISSAN WOULD REFUND ME SOME OF MY EXPENSES.I CAN PROVIDE RECEIPTS.THANK YOU.*AK