People are stating that this issue is still covered even after repaired once, but the dealer service managers do not seem to think so. What can be done at this point if the car is deemed unsafe by multiple non-Nissan mechanics, while the Nissan dealer says it is fine?Pathfinder2002 wrote:The Pathfinder is all ways consider part of the buy back program if damage from rust in strut towers. Regardless of dealership repairs. Read my earlier post...It should help with the buy back program and expectations.virg wrote:Hey all,
Hope I'm not too late to the party for some feedback - would love some advice.
2000 Pathfinder LE, 215k miles. Engine still runs like a gem.
Had it in to the dealership a year ago for an unrelated repair. They mention that there is a recall and I verified it was accurate information. Strut tower was "repairable" so I gave them the green light to "repair" at no cost. went on my way without much after thought (I know, I am kicking myslef now).
Anyway, brought it to a different mechanic last week (trustworthy guy) for some steering issues and he shows me the drivers side strut tower is totally rusted out and even the welds on the non rusted portions have come apart! Baically tells me that I'm lucky, to cease driving it immedilaty, and contact the dealer. I looked back at my paperwork and it turns out that the original "repair" by the dealership was only an application of paint/undercoat? (that apparently did no good) but no structural repair was done.
I am going to contact the dealership again, but I am wondering if the buyback option would still be on the table considering I technically already had my free recall "repair"? Anyone have a similar situation?
Thank you for the advice Shark2. I will send a letter to NHTSA this week and send a copy to Nissan via certified mail.shark2 wrote:You should send a certified letter to Nissan explaining to them what's going on so they can't later claim "they did not know", and also send a letter to NHTSA telling them that the repairs they did pursuant to the recall are proving to be only temporary, and that they need to demand that Nissan immediately recall all the trucks remaining on the road to make sure that the prior repairs are continuing to be effective and/or make the repairs using a different procedure that is permanent. I'm sure they will be interested as it's sounds dangerous. In your case it sounds like the dealer may have not followed the repair procedure specified by Nissan, which appears to be the case with mine too.
oh good! whew! thanks for letting me know! (and for the quick response)shark2 wrote:No, they are not related. And actually $675 seems like a reasonable price for the work you had done. Too bad you didn't notice the problem before you bought it!
No i just had to deal with that on my 02 qx4. The problem is most likely rear trailing arm bushings. Look up death wobble or death sway and you will see its a common problem. Costs about $450-$550 to have all four rear trailing arms replaced.adonovans wrote:Could this have anything to do with a rear end shake I have when I let off the gas. 01 qx4???
f33lmywrath wrote:Any luck with current buybacks? Looking at purchasing a questionable one and want to know if they will buy it back still if deemed "repairable". Thanks!
Don't have an answer as to whether they will still honour the recall or the previous work, but I'd be more than curious to see how this plays out.pete315 wrote:I bought a 2000 Pathfinder in Feb 2015. Just got it inspected today and mechanic says I have bad rot on shock tower.Both sides. Found this website and I have good size holes in area A. I can see engine thru these holes. I called NISSAN1 and they said previous owner had recall performed in 2011. There are no steel plates installed. It may have some fiberglass, can't really tell. It's just all rusted. Will I have a problem with Nissan when I bring it to the dealer next week because the recall was performed even though now it's in bad shape. Obviously the recall performed did not fix the problem.