1995 Nissan Pathfinder SE from North America - Comments

Sorry for that news, I'll let you know what I find out. Back again (post 60), latest news, have an appointment at a body shop known to have good prices, will post my estimate next week.

Same problem just discovered today with my 95 Nissan Pathfinder Se. It failed inspection secondary to rear frame rot from rust. This website is the first I have heard of the problem. I loved this car and took great care of it and would be interested to know if it can be welded and whether there are any existing lawsuits.

I have had the same frame rust problem. Worse on the passenger side. Barely passed inspection in '06, so I got it welded by a collision shop. I believe that it was caught in time, and should be able to add a few more years on to an otherwise solid vehicle.

Other problems of note would be the fuel and brake lines also rusted through and had to be replaced.

Also had the drivers side tension bar (part of the control arm) brake off, possibly due to rust. It's been paid for, so I can absorb the repair costs. Would I buy another Nissan? Maybe. I have had it "oiled" twice (Rust-stop spray on method) and would definitely use a rust preventive program like this in any future car/truck.

I should add that I'm the 2nd owner of this 1995 Pathfinder SE

Bought it in 2000 with 57,000 miles, it currently has 158,000 on it.

Well add me to the list, I own a 1995 Pathfinder SE. I am the original owner, and have treated the Pathfinder like a baby, and my entire rear frame was trash!

I can't actually believe there are people on this site that claim that the frame rot is a result of people not keeping their frame clean, they must be VERY stupid people!

There is a huge design flaw, and Nissan should pay up. How dare they steal my hard earned money for a death trap! I had my frame repaired for a cost of about $1,000.00. It is very solid now, however the body is getting bad as well. I bet if you look under the rear seats you can punch out the floor boards. The truck is garbage! I want in on any law suit!

Zack

D620GREG@aol.com.

I was also told today that my car has severe rust on the frame. except my car is a 1996 pontiac sunfire. I just got it last week and put it in for inspection and was told it was an accident waiting to happen. Thinking about going after the previous owners as they claimed to have it recently inspected and was in good shape prior to the sale. Anyone know if this can be fixed cheap or should I just junk the car? an email on this would be appreciated if anyone knows. c89kam@gmail.com.

Hi, I'm another "stupid" person with a perfectly clean frame. My pathfinder has been coastal its entire life, and in some salty/snowy conditions in that time as well. The only explanation for the extent of the damage to your frames is owner neglect. I'm sorry, but flushing out the frame and doing underbody coats on a body-on-frame vehicle every wet season is just common sense. This is not the fault of everyone here, as you are not all original owners. Some of the blame can also be laid on Nissan for not making a completely maintenance free frame, but I don't think they should pay for it.

Frame Rot is a common problem with Pathfinders from '93 through '95. There are TSB's about this problem all over the place. Check yahoo, google, and any pathfinder websites and you'll see what I mean.

There are not many options when it comes to frame rot. There are places that will rebuild your frame or repair the damage by welding and stuff, but this is expensive, time consuming and a dirty job. Most people who have this problem either junk the car or they try to find a donor pathfinder that's not rusted out from which to transfer their innards (motor, transmission, ect..) into.

I noticed one individual mentioned that the vehicle had over 150k on it. Although I do not believe that miles are an accurate measure on a vehicle. A vehicle that has 80K on it can be in a lot worst shape than a vehicle with 120K if one has been properly cared for and the other has not. However, vehicles are made of metal and will always eventually rust. Proper care can delay the vehicle from rusting, but no matter what manufacturer you go though, eventually the vehicle will rust. Vehicles are made to last, but no vehicle will last forever.

I have to join the rust club. I have a 95 Pathfinder and have taken very good care of it and it just failed inspection due to "frame rot". It's a great vehicle and only has 135,000 miles on it, but the cost to repair such extensive damage is too high. Even with preventative maintenance it still rusted through, it's a shame because it's never given me a moment of mechanical problems.

Have to add to the line of rust -- my 94 Nissan S-10 has just received the no inspection due to the frame being rusted. Being my daughters first vehicle, we hate to spend money on something that could fall apart while she is driving it. I agree that something should be done about this problem that Nissan has created.

I also have a rusty and cracked frame above both rear wheels on a '94 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I live in Minnesota/Twin Cities. I payed $6000.00 for this truck a few years back. For the past two years I have been driving a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder with no major problems. Sadly I wish I could get some money for my truck resale, but who wants to buy a truck like that, and what kind of money will you get anyway? By the way I also noticed the rust under the rear seats corroding right through. Do I have to sell my truck as parts? or what. We should all be compensated because not only is it unsafe, and poorly built, but here is a vehicle with no resale value. The only reason I bought mine was because of my own ignorance and inexperience in inspecting a used vehicle. I remember the lady who sold me that car worked in a car shop so I wouldn't be surprised if she new it was about to go. Somebody needs to initiate the process if there's gonna be a class action law suit. Any lawyers reading this? Is there any free legal consultation? Let me know. razacozmik@yahoo.com.

Coming home from the doctors, big loud clunking noise, followed by extreme bouncing, or rocking -motion front to back. The bouncing of this 95 Nissan pathfinder was enough to make me sick. Luckily I had not made it to the freeway to travel 24 miles home. Found out on inspection underneath the car, both shocks had sheared off, the stabilize bar on the right rear side had pulled away from the frame. That's also when we noticed the rust. Over the rear tire areas, muffler, pipes, etc. Looks like some kinda orange fungus under there. I could literally use my fingers to push holes in the frame.

I have never had the first problem with the engine. Vehicle looks great from the outside. Count me in on the lawsuit as well.

I am the second owner of a 92' SE V6 PathFinder. I bought the vehicle 5 months ago for $2,500 from a mechanic who was selling it for a customer. He stated that the frame and all was sound. I noticed the thumping when even hitting the slightest road imperfections. Thinking it was just shocks I ignored it for a few weeks. But then a strong smell of gas came about and I took it in. The right rear part of the frame above the suspension was broken in two places due to rust and completely separated breaking the gas line. I have gone to several mechanics and frame shops. They stated that it is too rusted to even patch the area on the frame. The truck has 170k miles on it. Is there a law against this kind of sale from a mechanic? Or is there some way of getting some sort of compensation for the damage?

Ejm2330@hotmail.com.

If there is a claim made and names and vehicle vin# are needed that are unable to pass inspection due to frame rot, count me in. ltnflvr@gmail.com - 94 nissan pickup 165k miles.

Well add me to the list as well. I bought a 94 Nissan Pathfinder SE 154,000 miles for $550. It had a blown motor, while replacing the motor I come to realize that the frame was ready to break in half on both sides of the rear wheel. Not wanting to eat the $550 I decided to replace the frame. I found a nice used one at the scrap yard for $300 without any visible rust. After I got it home I realized that it was also starting to rust very badly from the inside out. The frame is separating in layers. It had no rust at all on the outside. It does seem solid, but I can hear all of the rust falling off inside when I hit it with a hammer along the whole frame. How could this not be a law suit against Nissan? I treated the inside of the frame with chassis saver ($75 a gallon) and 3 months later the frame continues to rust from the inside out and I haven't even drove it yet!