307 of the 10,298 complaints filed about the Nissan Pathfinder are about the steering — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.
307
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
25
Crashes
2
Fires
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Rear sub frame near radial rod on drivers side of vehicle has corroded through without warning. Vehicle is unstable during breaking menuvers and pitches towards on coming traffic. Sudden loss of control or collision could occur without notice during breaking.
NHTSA complaint #11745784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The steering assist malfunctions. It almost always fails around curves. It also does it sometimes on a straightaway, but it is not as frequent as with curves. It gets too close to the line and overcompensates. It literally will drive you off of the road. I have been driving across country and if I had not been diligent, I would have crashed dozens of times. According to Grok, this is a common complaint but there are no recalls for this failure.
NHTSA complaint #11742269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Constant whine from under the vehicle while in park or idle. Even after having the rack replaced
NHTSA complaint #11724266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The Original Equipment (OE) Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S 255/50R20 105H M+S tires on my brand new 2024 Nissan Pathfinder suffer from groove wander on roads in which grooves are cut into them to mitigate hydroplaning in rainy conditions. The geometric design, tread design incompatibility, or structural irregularities of these tires cause severe groove wander and impair safe handling. I believe there is a mismatch between the tire design and the vehicle's weight or suspension design - Nissan should not be placing this OE tire on new Pathfinders. Groove wander causes the vehicle to follow road grooves involuntarily, which is a handling defect that compromise driver control. This condition is a safety hazard, especially at highway and interstate speeds or in inclement weather. Groove wander does not allow the vehicle to operate safely, causing the driver to constantly correct the involuntary path of the vehicle on such roads. The driver's and others' safety are at risk if the driver is unable to quickly correct the path of the vehicle and keep the vehicle in the lane of traffic to avoid lane departure into another vehicle or object. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by both the Nissan dealer from I bought the vehicle and a local Bridgestone/Firestone service center because both are unwilling to do so. Both have refused to accompany me on a test drive on Interstate 90 where this occurs because this road is approximately 12 miles one way from their locations (their claim it is too far away; if it was only 5 miles, they would be willing to do this). The tires have been visually inspected by both companies, and naturally both have found nothing wrong with the tires (normal wear at this time). Visually inspecting he tires will not diagnose the issue, and a test ride needs to be completed to document this issue - again both Nissan and Bridgestone refuse to do this. Other brand tires on other vehicles I own do not suffer groove wander.
NHTSA complaint #11714831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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1. CODE P0101 not removed after replacing MAF sensor. 2. power steering motor is annoying noise, high pitched sound.
NHTSA complaint #11712378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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For the past couple of months we noticed the car is swaying to one side when it accelerates. We took the car for an alignment and the problem persists. The car is now swaying aggressively to one side when driving at higher speeds. This occurs while driving in the highways. We have to be extra cautious because it can hit another car driving in the next lane. We took the car to the Weston AutoNation dealer repairs and they informed the car needs to repair tie rods and control arms. The car has never been in an accident. The car has less than 35,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11688009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Unknown . The steering column broke
NHTSA complaint #11678594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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i purchased 2024 pathfinder within days the car stopped while driving i had to pull over to restart VERY FRIGHTING!!! I called the dealer service department they said i had hit the gear shifter and told me be careful?? INSULTING!!! The car goes into first gear by itself and it is showing its in DRIVE??This must be investigated if i blow the engine cause it will not get out of 1st gear who is responsible ?? If there are so many complaints and this is very important why isnt nissan doing something to solve this problem? I actually thought I had a LEMON!! Please help the dealership will not do anything and honestly, I am afraid to drive the car for it is not happening more frequent Yesterday i was driving out of my driveway and the car stalled in the middle of driveway !!! Please i want to live!
NHTSA complaint #11661769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated there was corrosion on the passenger’s side front struts. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined the repair under Manufacturer Campaign ID: R1107 with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The driver’s side front struts were repaired prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the mileage requirements were not met. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.
NHTSA complaint #11652254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The engine began to fail because of a lack of adequate breathability into the crankcase, causing high crankcase pressure, excessive oil blowby, severe exhaust smoke, severe engine sludge, severe engine shuddering, and lack of response to the power steering because of engine power loss. The failure of the PCV system was at fault. Produced codes P0300, P0306, and P0430. Engine sludge needed to be cleaned, PCV hoses and PCV needed to be replaced, spark plugs needed to be replaced because of blowby, and valve covers also needed to be replaced because of sludge clogging the PCV baffles within the valve covers.
NHTSA complaint #11641015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the brake pedal was depressed because the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated that the air bag then deployed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the steering wheel remained inoperable. The contact towed the vehicle to his place of employment. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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There is a loud popping/clunk sound when standing still and turning the wheel either left or right. It’s like metal is catching and then pressure finally pushes a part over another and it pops loud. It does not affect the steering or suspension quality.
NHTSA complaint #11612014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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I started having issues with my brakes. I had recently had the front rotors and pads replaced, but I still heard squeeking, and a little fishtailing on my back end. I figured I needed my brakes in the rear checked, so I took it to Pep Boys for a free inspection. The mechanic showed me that my rear control arm on the left was very loose, and the compartment that connected to it was severely rusted thru. He told me this was across the whole back end and it was actually part of my FRAME. He said it is called a K-Frame and it should not be rusted through with my car being barely 11 years old. There are massive holes all the way across. He said that is why I thought that I might need my struts replaced because of a thunk sound when pulling off. There was no connection at all. He says I should not drive it AT ALL because my whole back end could fall off literally!
NHTSA complaint #11588772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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This relates to Campaign Number 11V244000 We are the original and only owners of the vehicle I originally brought the vehicle in for the recall and they simply sprayed some undercoating in the wheel wells. Less than a month later both strut towers separated from the body of the vehicle while my wife was driving home, she lost steering and could have had a serious or fatal accident. I towed to the dealer and they installed braces in both strut towers. I have always taken exceptional care of my vehicles, which includes multiple washes during winter months and extensive undercarriage washing every spring. This past Oct when I took the vehicle in for mandatory state inspection I was informed that the vehicle would not pass inspection next year. They told me this once before in relation to extensive rust to the passenger side rear frame next to the muffler. I was able to cut out the rust and weld a thicker plate of steel in there to repair the frame. I just changed my oil and looked for what the mechanic was referring too. This time the rust is between the braces they installed for the struts and the front of the wheel well. The mechanic saw the rust coming through the paint and poked at it with a screw driver, the screw driver went right though the body leaving significant holes in the structure that supports the struts. When the weather breaks I will further inspect to determine if there is enough good metal left for me to attempt a repair. I am doubtful a repair will be possible as the metal used to construct this vehicle is very poor quality. Despite my constant care, washing, rust conversion treatments, painting with rust blocking paint and using undercoating, every inch on the underside of the vehicle is rusted. Both rear quarters rotted behind the wheel flares and down into where the rear doors close and contact the rear quarters. Now due to Nissan's decision to use substandard metal I am forced to buy a new vehicle which is currently financially impossible
NHTSA complaint #11577805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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While driving at a speed of 60mph on the highway my pathfinder lost all power and became had to control as my car came to a complete stop causing me to be stuck in between to merging highways with traffic on each side . I was given no warning this was about to happen and it could have cost me my life . My car had to be picked up and towed I would assume it’s my transmission or my engine it is the 3rd. I could not accelerate or shift at all despite having NO warning lights on until I turned it off to save my battery and make my self able to keep my lights and flashers on without causing anymore damage to my car which has already had a complete engine ,diffrential, and transfcase, radiator, and tan blades replaced multiple times at just 2 years old but was out of mileage so Nissan wouldn’t honor them . Well I assumed with Nissans suite winces they know it’s their transmissions they would cover everyone’s since this is on going however they didn’t and only covered to mileage to my surprise .
NHTSA complaint #11525236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced at a local dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension); however, the mechanic diagnosed that there was no rust in the strut housing assembly. The contact then stated that when he replaced the front struts, excessive rust was seen in the strut housing assembly. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics, who diagnosed that the front axle needed to be replaced and confirmed there was excessive rust in the strut housing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,477.
NHTSA complaint #11520142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was veering to the left and became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated there was a loud banging sound underneath the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe crossmember needed to be replaced; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The local dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #11516692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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There was no incident but now I’m scared to drive my vehicle that I’m still paying for and my insurance telling me if I don’t get the recall resolve it’s going to be an issue.
NHTSA complaint #11510111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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Rear sub frame rusted. Front mount rusted. Side trailing is broken away from the frame. This vehicle is not safe to drive
NHTSA complaint #11501765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
NHTSA complaint #11478841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.