NHTSA Complaint #708329 — 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER

I FEEL, AS MANY OTHER 96-97 PATHFINDER CUSTOMERS DO, THAT EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN (CUPPING) TIRE WEAR AND PREMATURE STRUT FAILURE, APPEAR TO BE SYMPTOMS OF A LARGER PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION OF THE 96-97, POSSIBLY 98 NISSAN PATHFINDERS. NISSAN WILL NOT ADMIT THERE IS A POTENTIALLY HUGE PROBLEM. I HAVE WEB POSTINGS/E-MAILS CONFIRMING MANY CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME AND WORSE PROBLEMS THAN MY OWN. TWO POSTINGS REPORT ACCIDENTS. ONE DRIVER OF A 1998 PATHFINDER LOST CONTROL AS THE CAR MYSTERIOUSLY VEERED TO THE LEFT, ACROSS TRAFFIC, AND THE DRIVER BROKE A FINGER TRYING REGAIN CONTROL. THE OTHER POSTING RECOUNTS A STRUT COMPLETELY FAILING WHILE THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION AND SENT THE CAR SPINNING. NISSAN OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ONE TIRE THAT WAS "CHEWED UP BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION." I BELIEVE NISSAN IS IGNORING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE HOPES OF AVOIDING AN EXPENSIVE RECALL. IS SOMEONE GOING TO HAVE TO GET HURT BEFORE THEY LISTEN? I HAVE CONTACTED CORPORATE IN GARDENA ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" ON MY VEHICLE. OTHER CUSTOMERS REPEAT THE SAME RIDICULOUS REACTION FROM NISSAN. I HAVE A MEETING WITH THE NISSAN REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER DURING THE WEEK OF JULY 17TH. HE HAS COPIES OF THE POSTINGS/E-MAILS THAT I METIONED EARLIER SUSTANTIATING THE SIZE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE MEETING SHOULD PROVE INTERESTING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK