Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - COLUMN | ||||||||||||||||
| 11V244000 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | from 10/01/1995 to 07/31/2004 | V (Vehicle) | 195991 | ODI | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 04/20/2011 | 04/21/2011 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | 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 Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Nissan will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. an interim notification letter to owners will be mailed on or before may 16, 2011. owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | ||||||||||||||||
| 96V034000 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | from 08/01/1995 to 01/01/1996 | V (Vehicle) | 1775 | 09/02/1996 | ODI | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 02/22/1996 | 02/28/1996 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Due to the type of lubricant used in the steering transfer gear assembly, the effort required to turn the steering wheel at low ambient temperatures (less than -30 c) could increase to the point where some drivers would have difficulty in turning the wheel. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This condition could result in the inability to change the direction of the vehicle while attempting to turn the wheel, increasing the potential for a vehicle accident. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers are replacing the steering transfer gear assembly with a new assembly having different lubricant. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | System: steering; gear box. vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393. | |||||||||||||||
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | 06/30/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | 11V244000 | |
| 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. | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | |||
| The office of defects investigation has received 35 reports on the subject vehicles alleging a corrosion related failure of the driver's side front strut tower.in 18 of the reports there were allegations that the failures affected the vehicles steering, including five that reported the steering shaft or column broke resulting in a loss of steering.severe corrosion of the frame/body structure in the area of the driver's side front strut tower can allow the strut tower to fail.if the failed strut tower contacts the steering column upper joint, or otherwise restricts the rotation of the steering column shaft, it can result in increased steering effort, steering impediment, or a complete loss of steering control. | ||||||
| STEERING - COLUMN | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | 06/30/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | 11V244000 | |
| 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. | ||||||
| PE11004 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. | 01/28/2011 | Frame/Body Structure Corrosion | |||
| The office of defects investigation has received 35 reports on the subject vehicles alleging a corrosion related failure of the driver's side front strut tower.in 18 of the reports there were allegations that the failures affected the vehicles steering, including five that reported the steering shaft or column broke resulting in a loss of steering.severe corrosion of the frame/body structure in the area of the driver's side front strut tower can allow the strut tower to fail.if the failed strut tower contacts the steering column upper joint, or otherwise restricts the rotation of the steering column shaft, it can result in increased steering effort, steering impediment, or a complete loss of steering control. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 10/26/2011 | 109000 | 1 | |
| While driving at highway speeds of 65 mph vehicle went into violent body rolling and shimmy causing driver to almost loose control. body was rolling severely, as if steering wheel was being rocked back and forth, however steering wheel was steady. unable to stop body roll until brakes applied. unable to identify any damage at time if event, but happened several more times during trip. upon detailed inspection, rear tires showed severe scuffing on outside of tires and it is suspected that there is an issue with rear axle links based on some internet research. *tr | |||
| 10/26/2011 | 109000 | ||
| While driving at highway speeds of 65 mph vehicle went into violent body rolling and shimmy casuing driver to almost loose control. body was rolling severly, as if steering wheel was being rocked back and forth, however steering wheel was steady. unable to stop body roll until brakes applied. unable to identify any damage at time if event, but happned several more times during trip. upon detailed inspection, rear tires showed severe scuffing on outside of tires and it is suspected that there is an issue with rear axle links based on some interenet research. | |||
| 09/09/2011 | 172 | ||
| On september 4th 2011, i was driving my 96' nissan pathfinder at approx. 30mph. i made a left hand turn and was coming out of the turn when my steering wheel repeatedly jerked from side to side causing me to loose control. the vehicle subsequently flipped rolling into a car dealership and causing damage to 2 used vehicles on the lot before landing on its top and spinning around. luckily, i only suffered minor injuries such as cuts bruises and muscle strain resulting from broken glass, seat belt pressure, loose objects flying through the vehicle and the jostling as the vehicle made its journey. i was charged with reasonable control and the accident was brushed off due to my age (19) and being an 'inexperienced driver' even though i explained to everyone that the steering seemed to have 'a mind if its own'. i am now responsible for several thousand dollars worth of damage caused to the 2 vehicles on the car lot. after having my vehicle towed, the owner of the towing company urged me to decide what to do with the suv. i sent it to the recyclers as i had no other ideas on what to do with it at this point. i am now reading stories of other issues with similar vehicles as well as seeing notice of a recall in the strut tower housing. i do live in a state that was part of the recall but was not notified of the potential problem prior to my accident. i had also just purchased this vehicle (my 1st) in july 2011. i am preparing to investigate the where abouts of the pathfinder, hoping it is still at the junk yard and hopefully have my accident investigated further seeking compensation. i hope that others will read this and share thier stories as well. i also feel that it took entirely too long to issue a recall, if it had been sooner, it would have saved me several thousand dollars. i am just lucky it didnt cost me my life! | |||
| 01/14/2010 | 456 | ||
| My axle fell off my car and it i drive up to 45mph i car wobbles an rocks side to side really bad | |||
| 02/18/2005 | 2 | 09/05/1999 | |
| Tried calling nissan re: recall for brakes and steering, and they would not help me. *ak | |||
| 11/01/1996 | |||
| There is a leakage coming from struts. also, steering locks up and vehicle won't start up. *ak | |||
| 1 | 02/16/1996 | ||
| Steering recall work denied by one dealership. | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 04/27/2001 | 0 | ||
| While exiting highway steering wheel went one way and tires went other way. consumer said steering rod was stripped.*ak | |||
| 08/27/2000 | |||
| Recall 96v034000/ steering gear box. dealer cannot provide parts for recall for 3 months. *ak | |||
| Recall 96v034000; has been serviced and the problem still exists one month later. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 03/12/2003 | 95000 | 1 | |
| While driving 56 mph vehicle went over a dip in the road and lost control, and rolled over three times, ejecting the driver from the vehicle. as a result, driver died at the scene. *ak | |||
| 01/31/1998 | 1 | ||
| Power steering had just been replaced, vehicle traveling at 40-50 mph when loss of control (spinning) due to possible steering failure causing vehicle collision, no deployment of air bags during collision resulting in head injury. mjs | |||
| 01/31/1998 | 3 | 08/06/1996 | |
| Consumer was entering onto the highway, traveling about 40-50 mph in rainy weather conditions when the vehicle flipped over three times. occupants were trapped in vehicle. the air bags deployed, and occupants inhaled chemicals escaping from air bags, causing occupants to choke. consumer has contacted the dealer. *ak power steering failed. *slc | |||
| 02/27/1997 | 3 | 06/24/1996 | |
| Power steering switch failed. | |||
| 06/06/1996 | |||
| Driving at speed of 50mph, when changing lanes, due the road construction and hwy condition, vehicle lost control and tilted over. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 1 | 08/12/1999 | ||
| Consumer states left front tie rod end was replaced.*jb | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 05/01/1996 | |||
| Steering locks up in tight, fast turn - requires effort to correct. *ak | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION - RACK | |||
| 1 | 08/12/1999 | ||
| Consumer states steering rack needs to be replaced.*jb | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 10/14/2010 | 224000 | ||
| Recently purchased a used 96 nissan pathfinder, and immediately noticed an uncontrollable sway or wobble at highway speeds, very nearly causing an accident. internet research has shown that this problem is widespread. apparently it's source is the failure of the rear link bushings. this is not an isolated problem, every vehicle with this suspension will experience this problem given enough length of service. also, there is not an inexpensive fix, with bushings costing several hundred dollars to replace, and requiring a hydraulic press to install the new bushings (something i don't have in my garage). recall searches have identified recalls for issues such as potential corrosion possibly affecting steering, replacement lights not having enough amber color, and thickness of the carpet padding. if these issues are serious enough to warrant a recall, why is suspension failure not? i feel safe in saying that this issue has undoubtedly caused accidents, injuries, and perhaps death, whether or not anyone cares to admit it. i also know that mine is not the first complaint to the nhtsa regarding this issue. something needs to be done, these vehicles are not safe!!! | |||
| 2 | 09/03/1996 | ||
| Vehicle pulls to left/right; also, there is a clunking, intermittent, in the steering column that sounds like something may be hitting ot breaking. *ak | |||