1996 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 64about this part
- Share
- 40%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,183miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 64 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, 40% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,183 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1996 Nissan Pathfinder se has a terrible wobble, swaying motion ( left to right) that resembles that of rocking a boat. I had the shocks replaced, new tires, ect., but it still exist when you get up to about 60 MPH. I have almost had some serious accidents and eventually, I am sure it will happen. I have a friend who has the same problem. I am completely baffled and do not know what the problem is.”
NHTSA complaint #10319474, filed 2010-03, 130,000 miles“1996 Nissan Pathfinder se 4 wheel drive. I have been experiencing a serious wobble from the rear of my Pathfinder at speeds above 50 MPH. It is dangerous and can cause loss of control if I do not reduce my speed which can be a hazard on the freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #10341396, filed 2010-07, 220,000 miles“The Nissan Pathfinder I drive sways violently from side to side at varying speeds. This seems to stem from the rear of the vehicle and seems as if the entire vehicle will flip over at any moment if uncontrolled. The only solution is to let off the accelerator or speed up a bit. Unfortunately, when I purchased this vehicle not a mention was made of the violent roll. I bought this for my 16 year old to drive to school, but now will not let him until repairs are done. After completing an internet search, it appears that this problem is widespread. …”
NHTSA complaint #10583582, filed 2014-04, 210,000 miles“As vehicle approached 50mph it would shake violently from side to side forcing me to let off of the accelerator. The shaking made it very difficult to control the vehicle and was very frightening not only to me, but also to my family (we were on vacation). Since this was obviously a dangerous situation I looked for a recall. There was none. I did, however, find many similar stories on the internet. The local Nissan dealership replaced rear suspension bars. Verified rear suspension links were bad, bushings tore-replaced all 4 bars mileage on the vehicle at the time was 60,687. …”
NHTSA complaint #10695520, filed 2015-03, 60,687 miles“I purchased a used vehicle from a private owner, a 1996 Nissan Pathfinder with 139,500. Immediately after my drive on the highway, I noticed a substantial amount of body sway from the rear end of the vehicle.I decided to research my problem on the internet and found several references to issues related to the premature wear of the bushings in the rear upper and lower links (control arms) that attach the axle to the frame (ref. …”
NHTSA complaint #10176855, filed 2006-12, 140,677 milesRelated recalls
- 11V244000Apr 20, 2011Nissan is recalling certain model year 1996-2004 pathfinder and model year 1997-2003 infiniti qx4 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in…Covers: Nissan Pathfinder 1996–2004, Infiniti QX4 1997–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10206391Dec 7, 2021STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10188377Feb 12, 2021STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10040905Dec 20, 2013Nissan service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. 1996-2004 pathfinder. In states where heavy concentrations of road salt are used, in the winter, the front…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
- 10192145Mar 19, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty. - A strut or shock…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 6% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 15 | 3% |
| 2013 | 29 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 22% |
| 2011 | 6 | 13% |
| 2010 | 4 | 10% |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 4% |
| 2003 | 21 | 19% |
| 2002 | 43 | 28% |
| 2001 | 68 | 30% |
| 2000 | 41 | 37% |
| 1999 | 35 | 34% |
| 1998 | 47 | 32% |
| 1997 | 105 | 48% |
| 1996 | 64 | 40% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 13% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
24 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTires
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology