NHTSA investigating QX4s & Pathfinders

[DAiNiUS]

I just stole this from Autoblog ---> http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/01/nhts ... r-corrosi/

Any of you guys had above-mentioned issues? I'm surprised that investigations are still being launched for these old cars. I wouldn't mind a recall since a free fix is always nice.

[Densetsu]

I had rust issues with my '03 Pathy... aside from the wheel wells looking terrible from the rust, the exhaust rusted through in one spot, the fuel filter bracket easily broke when I was changing the filter.

I didn't have any rust issues with my front suspension or steering, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were issues like this, especially in areas with lots of salt. When I was shopping for my second Pathfinder, underbody rust was one of the first things I checked for, and I skipped over about 6 Pathfinders almost immediately because of it.

[01silvapathy]

Damn, a loss of steering would not be fun.

[miamiheat3332]

Yeah i have kybs on mine now, for like 1.5-2years is it now already, and the fronts i think i will take them out this spring and i will paint them with epoxy suspension paint as they are starting to rust,

I also go over my whole unibody every summer with rubberized undercoating, so theres no exposed frame, as in these suv's i think rust will kill it before anything else, if you have the rust taken care of i dont have a doubt in my mind you can run these to 300k easy, with the right maintenance and care.

hopefully they have a recall and we get some free stuff fixed, i wouldn't mind that.

Other than rust like where i live in the northeast, these trucks are bulletproof in running for a long long time down south and stuff.

[Towncivilian]

Doubt this'll be an issue for me in Florida, but I'll check out the condition of my struts regardless.

[Densetsu]

Actually, now that I think about it, on the CarProof report I think my '03 was registered in Quebec for the first 3-4 years of it's life, where they're crazy with salting the roads. That may have played a big factor in the rust issues I had with it. There were still a lot of Pathys in Edmonton with rust on the underbody when I was shopping for my current one, but it was surface rust and probably nothing as bad as what my '03 was like. Maybe I was being overcautious (aka paranoid). Who knows.

miamiheat, any tips on applying the undercoating, or do you just pick up 3-4 cans of it and go nuts? And would it be OK to do it now if it hasn't been undercoated before? I don't want to find out that applying undercoating on existing rust will aggravate the problem.

[01silvapathy]

Mine lived through 6 chicago winters, but surprising my truck is pretty rust free. Mainly just surface rust on the alxe and such.

[miamiheat3332]

@ Densetsu,

No the way i want to do it eventually whenever i get the time, maybe this summer, maybe in 2 years, is take out the axle, front subframe and all that stuff, then sand it all down, and apply truck bedliner or chassis saver which will last a long long time.

The rubberized undercoating i put on now lasts long, but its the winter salts and gravel s*** they put out here in Pennsylvania which wears it off.

I just respray it like every year like i said, and you can do it right over the rust, it wont aggravate it, it'll just stop it in its tracks cause no air/water etc can get to it and basically you stopped it. Mine was mostly surface rust but i want to keep the path for a very long time so which is why i did it.

Plus like 15-20$ every summer didnt kill anyone and basically its like 2-3hrs of your time, and once its done your underbody looks better than new.

Also dont know where you reside but since its the winter your underbody is dirty as s*** so i would wash it first or take it to a carwash and choose one of the options where it washes your underbody too.

Then go home let it dry off, and get at it.

Heres the thread that shows some pics i took when i did mine like 1.5 yrs ago,

post5110774.html?hilit=underbody#p5110774

Tell me if you need anything else answered.

[ARKQX33V6]

The QX4 I own is a 97 and if it wasn't rust protected every other year it would be a pile of dust spread out. With Krown , the rust is forced out and you can see it underneath and then it is all gone.

The electrical wires and connectors are protected as well. Having it regularly done at a 2 year level has made a great difference.

Ontario loves salt, sand in the winter months. The remainder of the year the poor condition of the roads tries to hammer the rusted parts off our cars. Obsolescence by consumption.

[donald]

+1!
i'm in for free recalls too! well - those that hasn't happened already that is - God forbid anyone suffers the consequences of a failed steering/strut tower while driving.

I live in dry california - so they may not apply this fix/recall to us

Let's keep tabs on this NHTSA investigation.

[DAiNiUS]

Actually, now that I think about it, on the CarProof report I think my '03 was registered in Quebec for the first 3-4 years of it's life, where they're crazy with salting the roads.

Oh yeah they looove salting up the roads here in Quebec. The amount of salt that I see on the road sometimes is insane.

[mack101]

My 98 was pretty rust free when I got it - seemed like a miracle really for an Ontario car with over 200k - so I haven't any issues there. Whoever had it before kept up with the rust proofing nicely. Got it undercoated this fall as well, which I didn't do last year. Wasn't there a forum post by someone who bought a Pathy somewhere and the strut mount collapsed pretty badly in the manner they describe? Can't remember now..

I'd probably take a closer look at my brother in law's 96, which definitely has some of the cancer happening.

Recalls would be nice... I was surprised when I got the gas filler tube replaced without paying!

[GRNMACHINE]

[quote="Densetsu"]I had rust issues with my '03 Pathy... aside from the wheel wells looking terrible from the rust, the exhaust rusted through in one spot, the fuel filter bracket easily broke when I was changing the filter.

x2 Exactly! Bolts are Complete Garbage as well. They keep snapping off. Was replacing them with originals for around $1 each from Nissan. Replacing them with stainlesss now when possible.

Re: Rust, has anyone heard about the Frame Rot Recall for Toyota Taco's? Pretty sad they used inferior steel for their frames but INCREDIBLE they are offering to replace frame or buyback the Taco's at 150% Blow Book regardless of condition. I have never owned a Toyota but that offer is incredible. Would be nice if Nissan did come thru on rusted parts much like the fuel filler neck. Sure parts rust, but rust thru is a different story. Rusted muffler was a valid excuse to replace with Magnaflow but was also $260 I didnt need to spend... I love the Path but if Nissan offered me a Check for 150% of its value---I would have to say: SOLD

Here is the taco rot info for anyone interested:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showt ... 00&page=15

[tomainr]

Wow. My QX4 has a lot of rust. What a piece of crap. It not only rusts quicker than expected, it rusts in strange places. Nissan is truely the Chrysler of Japan. I, unfortunately, own two Nissan products. Never again will anyone in my circle of influence purchase a Nissan product. Please do your friends, family, and neighbors a favor and warn them of the poor quality of Nissan products. I have a '98 QX4 and a '02 Altima--what dissapointments

[DAiNiUS]

So I stole another link - http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/25/niss ... -qx4-suvs/

Looks like they're going through with the recall. Does anyone know if this also affects Canadian Pathfinders and QX4s? Here in Quebec we get ridiculous amounts of salt so if anyone should have a rust-related recall it would be us.

[Chris.m]

Not totally sure but heres another link that says 20 states.

http://consumerist.com/2011/04/nissan-r ... blems.html

[Towncivilian]

Doubt I'll be eligible for this recall in Florida. I'll pull through the local dealership and ask them to inspect the vehicle regardless. They did replace the fuel filler tube, even though it probably didn't have any more than surface rust, so we'll see.

[nobb]

Also interested to know how this affects Canadian customers. I bought my R50 used so Nissan doesnt have my contact info to notify. Do I just call up any Nissan dealer and ask them about it...or do we have to wait until there is an official recall for Canada?

[jstamm]

I spent $1600 replacing my struts on my '01 Pathfinder for cracks this past November. Figures there is a free fix now. Think I have a case with Nissan for some sort of reimbursement?
...Joe

[DAiNiUS]

Looks like all Canadian Pathfinders and QX4s are covered - "The recall includes any effected models sold in Canada, according to a statement sent to Auto Remarketing" - according to http://www.autoremarketing.com/content/ ... -us-canada

I think I'll need to call up Infiniti as I doubt that I'll receive anything in the mail. Also, I think that for most of us they'll just do a quick check and send us on our merry way. My car has very little surface rust, so I believe that it's not that bad underneath either, but I'll be really happy if they replace the affected parts.

[nobb]

I called up my local dealership and also Nissan Canada. As of this morning, they do not have any "official" recalls present in the system for my 2001 Pathfinder. However, I did register my VIN and contact info with them so I will be notified if/when I am able to take my Pathfinder in to a dealership for a free inspection/fix.

[Innovazn]

Just called the Local dealer and they know nothing regarding the recall either. Gave them my Vin as well and nothing

[Towncivilian]

Doesn't the recall begin May 16th or something? I believe I read that in one of the news articles about this recall. I'm going to wait until around then to pull through to have it inspected as the dealerships don't seem to have heard about it just yet.

[GRNMACHINE]

Yep May 16th. Here is the government recall info (same thing as already posted). But official...

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/re ... furl=email

[Towncivilian]

I was at Nissan today and asked about this recall. The service adviser hadn't heard of it, but then he consulted the master tech who printed out the recall. He said to come back around May 16th for an inspection. As I'm in Florida they'll probably just coat it with some sort of anti-corrosion sealant and send me on my merry way.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Also interested to know how this affects Canadian customers. I bought my R50 used so Nissan doesnt have my contact info to notify. Do I just call up any Nissan dealer and ask them about it...or do we have to wait until there is an official recall for Canada?

Nissan will find you via the state registration. Patience, you'll get a letter.

[m0nkeyprince]

i was hoping they would focus effort on the lower trailing arm bushings, they cause high speed wobble that results in loss of control too

[donald]

Nissan will find you via the state registration. Patience, you'll get a letter.

ooOOooo.
I've never gotten an offical "Nissan" mail before. Usually the recalls/safety notices were made prior to me buying the car.

Let's see if I get anything