1996 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems

The 1996 Nissan Pathfinder has 25 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Steering complaints

12%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Pathfinder steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

96V034000SteeringFebruary 22, 1996 · 1,775 units

Defect

DUE TO THE TYPE OF LUBRICANT USED IN THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY, THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (LESS THAN -30 C) COULD INCREASE TO THE POINT WHERE SOME DRIVERS WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY IN TURNING THE WHEEL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE WHEEL, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE REPLACING THE STEERING TRANSFER GEAR ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY HAVING DIFFERENT LUBRICANT.

What owners report

“CONSUMER WAS ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 40-50 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. OCCUPANTS WERE TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND OCCUPANTS INHALED CHEMICALS ESCAPING FROM AIR BAGS, CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO CHOKE. CONSUMER HAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 31, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder have?

NHTSA has 25 complaints about the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder steering — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 96V034000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.