1997 Nissan Pathfinder Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 8%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder, 8% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I noticed that the steering in my 1997 Nissan Pathfinder se was pulling to the left and I had experienced some resistance while turning the steering wheel, so I began to inspect the engine compartment and wheel wells. I found that the driver-side shock tower has almost completely separated from the rest of the body of the vehicle. The way it has bent away has caused it to put direct pressure on both the steering column and the master cylinder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10349436, filed 2010-08, 194,000 miles“At around 120000 miles the vehicle began to sway uncontrollably. Mechanics could find nothing wrong. Only way to stop the sway is to tap the brakes or accelerate. Happens quite often and is downright scary at times. Also the entire underbody / frame is extremely corroded. Vehicle should not corrode that quickly. All underbody parts are extremely rusted.”
NHTSA complaint #10508981, filed 2013-04, 120,000 miles“Driving truck got so bad it was hard to keep in road..would go side to side on highway and turns were not easy to say in lane.took to clarktire co ..they replaced lots of parts and said mounts for shocks and struts were pretty badly rusted causing excessive movement of those.”
NHTSA complaint #10820653, filed 2016-01, 99,000 miles“The frame, including chassis, suspension and body has extensive rust. The suspension is caving into the chassis due to extensive chassis rust. The rust is not due to normal wear and tear of vehicle. It is due to inadequate coating to prevent rust. The vehicles of same model (year) of other makes have minimal rust compared to this vehicle. Even the mechanics I have approached have similar opinion that this vehicle across the board is poorly built, and more rust prone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10547766, filed 2013-10, 128,000 miles“Rust/corrosion in unibody at lower control arm/strut assembly on 97' Nissan Pathfinder passenger side. The problem/failure is equivalent in severity to the situation Nissan is recalling for the driver's side. (pe11004) also (NHTSA campaign id number: 11v244000). If the corrosion becomes severe enough, the stresses involved in the strut assembly operation loads, compounded by the lateral loads created by steering, and handling, may cause the lower control arm, lower ball joint/strut mount to separate from the unibody. …”
NHTSA complaint #10413125, filed 2011-07, 157,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192289Dec 20, 2013Nissan is conducting a voluntary safety recall campaign on certain model year 1996 - 2004 Pathfinder vehicles that are currently registered in Salt States to inspect for…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 6 | 7% |
| 2022 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 4% |
| 2014 | 48 | 8% |
| 2013 | 83 | 9% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 12 | 11% |
| 2002 | 18 | 12% |
| 2001 | 30 | 13% |
| 2000 | 29 | 26% |
| 1999 | 18 | 17% |
| 1998 | 14 | 9% |
| 1997 | 17 | 8% |
| 1996 | 11 | 7% |
| 1995 | 58 | 34% |
| 1994 | 23 | 25% |
| 1993 | 9 | 18% |
| 1992 | 4 | 13% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
105 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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