NHTSA Complaint #10425965 — 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER

I HAVE BEEN HEARING NOISES IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE, FOR MONTHS.THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED RECENTLY,WHICH IS WHEN WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM.WE DISCOVERED A ROTTED FRAME RAIL WHERE THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING MOUNTS TO A PLATE BUILT INTO THE FRAME. THE ROT IS ON BOTH SIDES, BUT MUCH WORSE ON THE PASSENGER REAR. THE SPRING IS ABOUT TO COME THROUGH.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! AND IT'''S OUR CAR,AND WE DON'''T HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE IT. THIS MUST BE HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS AS WELL. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN TO A KEPT UP, BEAUTIFUL 2002 PATHFINDER?? IT MUST HAVE STARTED ROTTING YEARS AGO,PROBABLY WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES, AND THE CAR IS NOW ONLY 9 YRS OLD. THERE IS APPARENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT STRUT HOUSINGS FOR ROT BUT NOT THE REARS. TO KEEP THE CAR, THE OBVIOUS, IS A COSTLY REPAIR. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING-THEY INSPECTED THE CAR IN 2007 WHEN THE CORROSION WARRANTY WAS ACTIVE ON THE FRAME.THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT AND I FEEL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE.THEY ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST ME SINCE I WAS TOLD "I DIDN'T SPEND ENOUGH MONEY" AT THE DEALER OVER THE YEARS FOR SERVICE.IT IS 35 MILES FROM MY HOUSE.NISSAN SAYS IT'S AN "ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE" HOW?? THERE IS NO ROT ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR ,INCLUDING THE RECALLED FRONT STRUT TOWERS. THE CAR IS ROTTING AWAY FROM BENEATH ME.I THREATENED TO SUE THEM AND THEY SAID THEY ARE "NOT OBLIGATED" TO REPAIR IT.THEY DON'T CARE.THIS ROT OF THE REAR FRAME SHOULD NEVER OCCUR AS IT HAS,STARTING PROBABLY WHEN IT WAS ONLY 6 YRS OLD,AND BE IN THIS CONDITION IN ONLY 9 YRS.THE STEEL MUST BE DEFECTED.I WILL ''NEVER'' BUY A NISSAN AGAIN. STAY AWAY FROM NISSAN PATHFINDERS.THE CAR WOULD PROBABLY HAVE RUN WELL FOR ANOTHER 5 YRS AND GONE TO 250K MILES BUT THE FRAME WILL NOT LAST.WHAT A SHAME.THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TT