Problems · by component

1997 Nissan Pathfinder suspension problems

107 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder cite suspension, 48% of all 225 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
107
48% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the suspension

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The vehicle swings left to right when cruising at about any speed. When the vehicle is pulling it does not swing or sway, however once the vehicle has got up to a desired speed and you try to maintain a steady speed it starts a “death wobble” which nearly cannot hold it on correct side of the road. You have to increase speed or reduce speed dramatically to regain control of the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2021Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11441345
“VEHICLE HAS A SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR, EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON DRY PAVEMENT ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY: AT AROUND 55-60 MPH, THE BACK END OF VEHICLE SWAYS VIOLENTLY, WITH NO WARNING OR APPARENT CAUSE. DRIVER FEELS THAT IF SPEED IS NOT IMMEDIATELY DECREASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2019SuspensionODI 11172183
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING , SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2017Steering, SuspensionODI 10948749
“THE VEHICLE LOST STRUTS, STEERING RACK, AND HAS SERIOUS ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DON'T NEED TO FIX. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS FALLING APART.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2017Steering, SuspensionODI 10944556
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLED VIOLENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2016SuspensionODI 10839177
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2016Steering, Suspension, StructureODI 10820653

Showing 6 of 107 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 1997 Pathfinder problem areas