01 path le bad rust ?

[Antndrew78]

Hi everyone I am new here and own a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder le it has bad rust on the underbody one area of major concern is the transmission support one side Is rusted real bad and was wondering if any one had suggestion about how to fix it I was thinking of having someone weld up some fresh steel has anyone had this issue ? I also included a pic of the truck as you can see it's a good looking truck and with 125k it should still have a lot of life

[Antndrew78]

[Buzzman]

I'd be very concerned about the strut tower rust issue, after seeing this pic.
If you haven't already had it inspected under the recall, I'd get right on it.

[Antndrew78]

This truck did have the recall done and according to Nissan it's good to go my concern is this area right now and if it will fail ?

[01pathfinder7]

Pretty scary looking. A sin since the body looks awesome in red. That brace will drop sooner than later

[Pathfinder2002]

If the car has the recall issue done, I'm sure the tower are rusted out again and Nissan will buy back the car.
More than likely the rust in the towers are hidden behind the repairs.

I would push for Nissan corp to resolve this matter with a buy out.
Take a picture of your strut towers and we can determine if the car can be recalled.

read this:

97-04-pathfinder-qx4-strut-housing-corr ... 34872.html

[Buzzman]

If the car has the recall issue done, I'm sure the tower are rusted out again and Nissan will buy back the car.
More than likely the rust in the towers are hidden behind the repairs.

I would push for Nissan corp to resolve this matter with a buy out.
Take a picture of your strut towers and we can determine if the car can be recalled.

read this:

97-04-pathfinder-qx4-strut-housing-corr ... 34872.html

Looking at your pic again, and it looks really bad.
You need to do a thorough inspection of the entire undercarriage of your truck.
I doubt very much that you could have this one bad spot, and not have issues elsewhere.

I can also see near the bottom right corner in the pic, is the lift point for the jack (that circular looking part).
I'd be scared to put my jack there and try and raise the truck, even if it was just to quickly change a wheel/tire.
Keep us up to date.

[Pathfinder2002]

Rust issue is a know problem for 1996-2004 Pathfinders and few years back starting around 2009, Nissan Corp started a recall and buy back program because the rust issue were premature and consider a manufacture defect and Nissan is responsible for bad design and poor mental quality. So I'm more than confident this car will fall under that program and your car will be deemed not repairable.
The only issue the rust must be in and around the strut towers and should be confirmed by a 3rd party outside of Nissan dealership. Document with photos and take out all your stuff from the car that you want to keep before the dealership take possession of your car. Example I had new floor mats, battery and nice stereo. I put back the stock stuff and was able sell that off parts and get the full Kelley Blue Book value of the car. Only through tough negotiations. Don't take the first or 2nd offers. They will not compensate hardship or inconvenience.

Good luck on the recall and I hope you read the link since it had good information about negotiating the headaches with Morley Corp who's the 3rd party company handling the buy back.

[Antndrew78]

I seriously don't think Nissan will buy my car back I just went through the recall on my 07 Nissan Versa with them for the front springs and they would not do it because the upper strut mounting bolt was rusted and they did not want to touch so I would have to pay for new struts before they did the recall I said no and contacted Nissan and after a couple of calls the end result was they were not going to do it because the struts are my responsibility my next step with that is contact the # on the card for what ever government agency oversees the recall but they did not want to help and that was very upsetting since the same week I bought a loaded 2016 pathfinder for my wife Nissan just doesn't care the recall on 01 pathfinder was done in Florida about 3-4 years ago and they told my father it was good so Nissan will probly give me s*** because they did it already so my question is there way to fix this maybe a body shop can weld up some steel I don't think there are other problem areas except the other side is not as bad but it is the beginning of the same issue I am so frustrated with Nissan I might just sell both these cars and buy a new Honda

[Pathfinder2002]

Take pictures of the strut towers for both Driver side and Passenger. Only reason I'm asking this question because the recall on the Pathfinders is a serious problem Nissan. So serious that basically all Pathfinder in your region have been bought back. You really need read about other owners and there rust problem issue. I know for fact that Pathfinder will still rust even with the patch kit from dealership. It's been continuing rust problem for Pathfinders and has shown rust problems underneath the patch work. Nissan will have to buy if you can show the rust issue has created an unsafe car. It seems from the photo above you're half way there. I need to see your strut towers to give you definite answer if you have case. I sold my pathfinder back to Nissan and my car was moved from NY back in 2009 and my 2001 Pathfinder showed no rust in 2009 in Los Angeles. Few years later since the car was exposed for 8 years in east salt road weather my Pathfinder rusted out in 2 1/2 year in LA weather.
You have case and I would push Nissan(Morley's) on having them buying back.

97-04-pathfinder-qx4-strut-housing-corrosion-recall-update-t534872.html

[Antndrew78]

I will be posting pictures of the strut tower today who do I contact referring this issue to get thing started

[Antndrew78]

Here are the pics both sides

[Antndrew78]

Bump anyone have an opinion

[Buzzman]

Doesn't look like there were any repairs done to the truck during the recall inspection.
No plates or rust proofing in that area.
Although there are no visible holes, that doesn't mean that there is no underlying problem there. I wouldn't trust it.
Take it back to the dealership and ask them to inspect it again.
The other front end parts don't look that good either.
Your stabilizer links look pretty old and worn. Are you getting any sort of clunking noises in the front end when you hit a bump?
Keep us posted.

[Antndrew78]

Yes I am getting the clunking noise didn't want to put money into it until I am sure I am keeping it

[Buzzman]

I thought you might have a problem with those stabilizer links. They look really old.
They are not expensive, and fairly easy to replace.
Getting the old ones off is usually the challenge. Installing the new ones is easy.
I've replaced mine 3 times over the life of my truck.

[Antndrew78]

I am just trying to device weather to keep it I am going to bring in to Nissan for the rust if they are no help I might just sell it and pick up a newer path maybe an 08 09 or a 10 not sure yet but if I keep it I will replace those drove it all day it's a nice truck what a shame I have new 2016 and its very nice but o like driving the 01 a little more lol

[Pathfinder2002]

The photos of both strut towers don't look like they have repaired by the dealership but I'm sure if you push a screw drive in the flaky rusty areas the panel will collapse. Your Pathfinder might have been recalled and they just put a coating or rust protection and now it's exposed again. The rust is under the paint and panels will break away easy.
The car is just about to be in the recall window where the dealers can't refuse the recall. You're about 6 months or sooner away from obvious rust damage.
My opinion is push the areas in the with screw drive to expose the holes.
Like I said my rust was around your condition and with in 6 months I had ton's of holes and the Nissan had to buy it back. If you sell to another person you're just passing the buck to someone else. Also you'll lose the fully payout Nissan will give you and someone else will give you bottom rock for it. Plus you'll know you took a dangers Pathfinder off the road. It should be junked.

[Antndrew78]

Yes I understand I will be bringing it in to Nissan next week I will let you know the outcome thanks