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I have had the wheels aligned and balanced twice in the last 2 weeks by Nissan to correct the problem, but the vibration has not gone away. Nissan tells me that my OEM BF Goodrich tires are damaged and have become "notched" due to the condition of the roads, and that they will need to be replaced to eliminate the problem. These are 16" SUV tires with only 25,000 miles on them! Tires that have never been off pavement for more than 4 seconds...and...heck...this thing is an SUV, it can take a few potholes can't it?
I haven't started to [non-permissible content removed] and moan yet to Nissan - but I'm aiming to soon. I wanted to get some of the 2005 owner feedback before if I could. You may want to get out on the highway and open up the throttle and see if you feel any difference once you get past 75 mpg. Nissan did have some big issues in 2003/04 with front end suspensions for a number of their models. Let me know what you come up with - this may effect your Pathfinder down the road.
The long-term test Pathfinder that PBS's Motorweek had also had this exact trouble with vibration - check out their review at http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/longterm/pathfinder05.shtml
I'm having problems with controlling my rear windows from my drivers side control switch. I'm sure it's the switch becuase I could reach to the rear and move them. Can someone tell me the best way to remove the control switch. I've ordered a new unit ot replace it. Thanks in advance.
Chris.
Thank you for posting this. I believe I'm having the same problem with my '03 PF. I had brake problems pretty much since the day I drove the PF off the lot. The dealer never resolved the issue but after awhile I noticed uneven ware on my front tires. This past Aug I put on 4 new tires (the same as you ironically). Since then I had the same vibration problem. The tires were balanced twice. No one could find a problem after that and the vibration, although much less that originally, still occurs, especially at speed. It's now been a while and I'm hearing what sounds like loose parts in the front suspension when ever the suspension is fully extended. I've been planning to take it into the dealer again but I've been trying to convince myself what it is. I'm going in assuming I too have a bad strut.
Thanks again. I just fell better reading your note. It sounds all to familiar.
Nick
Ken_D
Rear Bank 1 O2 sensor DTC (Drivers Side). Read the Nissan TSB and replaced the rear O2 sensor myself. Bought the part from Nissan dealer for $145. Saved $200 in labor and diagnosis fees. TSB also stated to reprogram the ECM after replacement. I postponed that part thinking just a replacement would cure the SES light. I then reset the SES light at Autozone. It came back on a week later.
Finally, I took it to Nissan dealer with my O2 sensor part receipt from them and explained the TSB and asked for a ECM reprogram according to the TSB. The were resistant but they eventually reprogrammed it for free. It is covered under the 8yr 80K mile ECM and emissions warranty. SES light has been off since then.
2001 LE 2WD w/68K miles.
Also, I'm reading about front vibration. Had that problem since driving the car. They say I drive with both feet and that's the cause. I don't drive like that...can't! I'm fed up with this car and will never have another one. Any suggestions on the above problems?
1) regarding the passenger seat, the first thing I would check is the fuse. Also, is it possible there is something jammed under the seat interfering with its movement? It's certainly possible the seat motor or a relay needs to be replaced, but that's unusual for any car as the driver's seat motor typically sees far more use than the passenger side power seat.
2) When you say "the drivers seat switch will move the right side but not the left", it's not clear what you are speaking of (the right side of what?)
3) Your post doesn't mention why you think the battery is dying. It's certainly possible, if you have an early '03, the battery is now 4 years old or more. Automobile batteries generally have a lifespan of 4-7 years depending on how the vehicle has been used and if the battery has been properly maintained.
4) Your post also mentioned a vibration. It's hard to say without being there, but I would guess that the fact that the dealer accused you of "driving with both feet" might mean that the vibration has to do with the brakes. Do you feel the vibration only when you are braking? If yes, it's likely that your rotors are warped from being overheating. This is not an usual problem with '01 to '04 Pathfinders, especially if you use your brakes hard a lot. The rotors in these trucks don't seem to stand up well to heavy, frequent braking. Take a look at Nissan service bulletin #00033 at www.nissanhelp.com under "bulletins" to learn more.
It's too bad you are fed up with your truck. If these are the only problems you've had in 3 or 4 years (how many miles on on your truck?), that's really not all that bad. I have an '01 with 105K miles, and while it has not been perfect, overall my ownership experience has been reasonably good.
The brake light has two functions:
1) signals that the parking brake is engaged
2) signals that the brake fluid reservoir is low.
The fluid reservoir is low usually because the brake pads are wearing. Check the remaining thickness of the front brake pads. They may be due to be replaced soon.
Chris
Tire balance, weak shocks or springs, or faulty wheel bearings all cause cupping, but so does normal driving to some extent.
Some folks do use "cupping" & "feathering" interchangeably, but the way I learned it in school was that feathering is really a kind of "scuffing" of the tire caused by bad toe-in/toe-out (misalignment problems).
Maybe new tires and frequent rotation will solve your problem..but of course get the wheel balance and alignment dead on before you install new tires, and check for strut leaks or failure.
I guess from a customer loyalty perspective and from an "If this were my business perspective", I bought a SUV from Nissan and their passing the buck so quickly has left a very bad impression with me - about Nissan. When you buy a $40K plus vehicle, including additional cost extended warranties, I think that should be sufficient for Nissan to fully support their product. If a car manufacturer makes a cost decision in the manufacturing process to save $5 dollars a tire (or whatever it is) to put on an inferior grade tire on new vehicles, they should then not pass the responsability back onto the tire manufacturer when their product fails prematurely. I bought the SUV from Nissan, I expect Nissan to fully support their product - crappy tires included!
Then to really make it fun, and I guess this is how "car company enemy's for life" are then created, when the service advisor dismisses your concerns about your wheels being out of balance by 3.5 lbs all around only 10 days after Nissan's technicians aparently put them "in balance", well that kinda got to me. After having Nissan balance and align my wheels twice within a two week period, I went to a specialty alignment shop and had the wheel balancing checked 10 days later. I drove normally in those 10 days, actually I'm a pretty cautious driver, it drives my 16 year old crazy in fact. Sorry, I digress. I probably would never have found this problem with vibration in the first place a while back if I had not been running late for an appointment one day and had to step on it on the highway. I usually I drive the highway speed limit (boring I know) at around 65-70 mpg. Once I got it up to 85 mpg the vibration really kicked in.
Anyway, bottom line...you build it...you sell it...you take my money...you support me, because I am your customer!
Interesting enough, there is a fellow/gal on this site who is experiencing the exact same problem as I. His/her post is only a few from this one, I'm sorry, I don't have the name. As well, their is someone in my neighborhood who bought a 2005 Pathfinder SE (exact to mine) about 6 months ago. I dropped by to see her on Friday and guess what? At 12,000 miles, her tires are starting to show the high/low spots on the treads.
So what is it - crappy tires or suspension problems??
Only the Nissan gods can really say - and their not talking.
Frequency of rotation/balancing was on every oil change, which was about 4000 miles. I had the wheels aligned twice a year when I switched from winters to 4 seasons - I live in Montreal. I don't know if their was any other front end problems with the truck, as Nissan would always come back with "there is nothing wrong anywhere else", this in spite of a very noticable noise (loose metallic parts) coming from the front end anytime I drove over anything slightly uneven. I guess I can keep going to garage after garage and shelling out dollars to have this thing weeded out, but I just don't have that kind of free time - does anybody have the ability to do that?
The mystery continues.
I own a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and I need to replace the tailpipe and back muffler. As long as I need to get a new muffler, I would like one that may help get better gas milage and better overal performance. Plus, I would love to get one with a decent exterior sound. I need to purchase this ASAP, so any help would be really appreciated!
Thank!!!