1998 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 32%of 149 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, 32% of the 149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,500 miles. 1 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.
“At highway speeds our 1998 Pathfinder begins to sway or shimmy from side to side and requires applying the brakes to stop the swaying. This is after spending $1000 on the front end for struts and other suspension items. This event is worse since we had the work done on the front suspension at the dealership. I have yet to take it back to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10259845, filed 2009-02, 110,000 miles“The strut housing on the driver's side rusted completely and broke . It caused the inner fender to touch the brake master cylinder. I had to pay to have this repaired out of pocket, and then received a recall notice several months later. I would like to know what the next step is for reimbursement.”
NHTSA complaint #10436283, filed 2011-11, 110,000 miles“As I was driving on the highway, while accelerating, my SUV started rocking from side to side. I had to apply the brakes in order for it to stop rocking. It felt as if my SUV was going to rollover even though I was driving straight and at the speed limit. This has happened several times. It happened this morning while driving around 55 MPH on a straight highway. It has also happened while on a curve but is even worse at that point.”
NHTSA complaint #10545616, filed 2013-09, 205,000 miles“My 1998 Nissan Pathfinder sways excessively when letting off the gas quickly or accelerating quickly. The sway is so excessive that driving at speeds over 60 MPH are extremely terrifying because the vehicle feels like it is going to flip. The consequences of this could be deadly. I have replaced several parts within the suspension and the problem still remains.”
NHTSA complaint #10250446, filed 2008-12, 108,000 miles“Our 1998 Pathfinder has what is described by many people as a death wobble. It began after we bought it in 2003 and has happened several times since. It happened as recently as 2017 and I am beginning to be afraid to ride in it. At speeds between 40-70 MPH the car begins to violently shake from side to side. It gradually gets worse. Reducing your speed does help. It appears to begin because of a small, uneven place in the highway road, but then doesn't stop shaking back and forth, side to side. It has happened repeatedly even after having it supposedly fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11141343, filed 2018-10, 85,000 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 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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