Bought a new 2002 Pathfinder last year. Shortly after purchasing it, (less than 500 miles) we noticed a vibration in the steering wheel, when accelerating, between 35mph and 45mph. The vibration begins right at 35mph and quits at 45mph. Vibration does not occur when coasting in these same speeds. Have been back to dealership about 5 times and they have put every effort to make adjustments, but have not helped the vibration at all. The dealership has been great, but I feel NISSAN is letting us down. This is our third Pathfinder and have been very pleased, however this is an issue that will not go away. Got any ideas??? Got any connections??? All we would like is to get a Pathfinder without the "Vibes"!!!! Thanks,,,,
After Dealership changed wheels and tires, vibration is still present. So the dealer is contacting Nissan to determine what to do next...got any ideas who to contact?
Well,,,today, Februay 5, 2003, one of the Nissan executives informed me that the vibration felt in the steering wheel, is "NORMAL". He said after receiving reports from NISSAN Techs and reports from dealer(s), they find that many NISSAN vehicles have this vibration.
I would like to be able to send a letter to, YOSHIKAZU HANAWA
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Representative Director of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. , just to let them be aware of this situation.
This was our third Pathfinder and the others have given great service. I realize there will be problems with vehicles, but it really suprises me that NISSAN is satisfied with the quality of the product they are placing on the market. Granted, it does seem they do have a good vehicle, however their ability to make proper repairs or adjustments, to satisfy the customer is definitely limited. BUT,,,I suppose that today NISSAN, justified the need of NO REPAIR, as the consumer should expect to have vibrations as we are experiencing....JUST be careful....with any vehicle...once you buy it,,,,it seems it is yours....no matter what the problem may be....Oh,,well, guess the next step is..........
Ya'll have a wonderful day,,,and if you can provide any addresses or phone numbers of other Nissan executives that would assist with this matter,,,please email me or post it for me...
Yes, there are a few other dealers, but not NISSAN.
We actually signed for a 39 month lease and have a super buy out option. I do like NISSAN's lease program and up to this specific vehicle, we have really enjoyed the quality and frankly we feel the quality is still there, but they opt not to fix this vibration and they accept the vibration being normal.
A co-worker was admiring this Pathfinder, just this past Saturday (2-08-03), and stated he and his wife were looking to buy a SUV. He wanted my opinion of the Pathfinder...NOW,,,,he says,,,Pathfinder is OFF his list....and will be looking for something else...as I informed NISSAN, I am just a "drop in the bucket" but am sure of one customer they have lost,,,"me"...and just by passing a honesty conversation with a co-worker,,,NISSAN has lost two customers....Things happen so quick,,,it seems,,,especially when things go wrong...
What you need is one good, solid weekend of offroading and your Pathie will have enough character that you won't think twice about it. j/k
Good luck! I have worked in the industry before and I doubt very seriously (unless you have other info) that that decision came from Nissan. I would be willing to bet that they are just at the limits of their ability to resolve the problem.
Don't give up on the issue! If it is a problem, then they need to fix it....or at least diagnose it. It isn't normal.
Sheppard,
Do you have the VDC (vehicle dynamic control) option? For the last week or so I've been comparing the vibrations with VDC off vs with VDC on and when the VDC is turned off the vibrations seem slightly muted (less severe) compared to when the VDC is on.
Another PF I drove off the lot had less severe vibrations and No VDC, as I recall. The vibrations from this particular one seemed spread out across a wider band of rpms (1250-2250) compared to mine (1500-2000).
I have owned many Nissan patrols over the past 20 odd years, (8) and most do exactly the same. I have on different occasions changed tyre brands, spent exorbitant amounts on mechanics in an effort to cure the problem. To no avail and have just learnt to live with it.
My latest Patrol which was just purchased New does exactly the same, it appears at (I am in kilometres ) 90kph, and remains until 110, and then miraculously disappears.
Last month I changed and increased the springs and dampers to increase the hight of the vehicle for off road use, (50mm) and miraculously the vibration has now disappeared. I can’t believe it! Absolutely tracks perfectly without a hint of vibration at any speeds.
I can only assume that it may have something to do with the drive train angle, (Maybe) as this problem only seems to emerge after the vehicles have done over 1,000 klm’s or 500 miles in your case, and the springs have dropped slightly.
I know I am grasping at straws to help you, but it’s a line of thought maybe some of you more technically minded guy’s could explain.
I really appreciate all inputs and have carefully reviewed each. What Wilesy, has stated seems logical, at least in my case, however, the NISSAN Corp, will not allow the dealership to make any other adjustments in order to prevent the vibrations. We, have had to actually begin the process of filing the LEMON law. As bad as we hate to do it, as it definitely is not my desired way, but there is no other option, as NISSAN Corp has accepted this vibration to be normal.
I have same problem on 03 Pathfinder. 1500-2200 rpm. 20, 40-45, 60-70 mph. Light or no load on gas peddel. Noticed on smooth roads. Vibration is most noticable at 20mph and less noticable at higher speeds. Dealer said this is normal. Factory has no fix. "Customer Relations" said I am the only one reporting this problem. Deciding what to do next.
Vibration in Steering Wheel
j/k
Linear Mode
