INFINITI is recalling 195,991 1996-2004 QX4 and Pathfinder SUVs in recall 11V244 for strut-housing corrosion. Repair is free at any franchised INFINITI dealer.
INFINITI recall 11V244 covers 195,991 1996-2004 QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles in road-salt states because corrosion can crack the strut tower housing. The damage can cause grinding noises, heavier steering, and loss of steering control; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The upper strut housing on affected 1996-2004 QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles is the metal structure that supports the top of the front strut. The front strut helps hold the wheel in position and lets the suspension absorb bumps while the vehicle stays aligned and controllable. This area also sits near steering components, so the metal around it needs to stay solid.
In heavy road-salt areas, snow, water, and salt can enter an assembly hole in the upper strut housing. That moisture collects where the strut housing panel meets the inner hood ledge assembly. Over time, the trapped saltwater corrodes the strut tower housing and weakens the mounting area around the front suspension.
There is no warning sign before failure. If rust is visible around the upper strut tower, treat it as a sign to have the vehicle inspected by an INFINITI dealer.
Who's affected?
Spans the QX4 and Pathfinder across the 1996-2004 model years, with front suspension and steering column components listed for each included year.
| 1997 INFINITI QX4 | front suspension |
|---|---|
| 1997 INFINITI QX4 | steering column |
| 2000 INFINITI QX4 | front suspension |
| 2000 INFINITI QX4 | steering column |
| 2001 INFINITI QX4 | front suspension |
| 2001 INFINITI QX4 | steering column |
| 2003 INFINITI QX4 | front suspension |
| 2003 INFINITI QX4 | steering column |
| 1996 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 1996 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 1998 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 1998 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 2000 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 2000 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 1999 INFINITI QX4 | front suspension |
| 1999 INFINITI QX4 | steering column |
| 1998 INFINITI QX4 | front suspension |
| 1998 INFINITI QX4 | steering column |
| 1997 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 1997 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 2001 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 2001 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 1999 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 1999 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 2002 INFINITI QX4 | front suspension |
| 2002 INFINITI QX4 | steering column |
| 2002 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 2002 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 2003 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 2003 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| 2004 Nissan Pathfinder | front suspension |
| 2004 Nissan Pathfinder | steering column |
| Units affected | 195,991 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A cracked strut housing can pull away from the inner hood ledge, causing grinding noises, heavier steering effort, steering column breakage, loss of steering control, and crash risk. If steering feels heavy or you hear grinding, park safely and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised INFINITI dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1996-2004 INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder is included in this recall.
- Wait for INFINITI repair instructions before scheduling if your dealer says the repair is not open for your VIN.
- Call INFINITI customer service at 1-800-647-7261 with questions and reference recall number 11V244.
- Bring the recall notice to a franchised INFINITI dealer when repair scheduling opens.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the front strut housing corrosion that can cause grinding noises, heavier steering, and loss of steering control.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an INFINITI technician inspects the strut housing for corrosion where road salt and water collect around the upper strut tower area. If repair is needed, the technician repairs the affected strut housing area at no charge under the recall. The filing says interim letters were sent in May 2011 and second notices were mailed on July 25, 2011, but it does not state a current dealer remedy status.
Timeline
| April 20, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 25, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V244?
Recall 11V244 covers 195,991 1996-2004 INFINITI QX4 and Pathfinder vehicles exposed to heavy road salt in listed states and Washington D.C. Salt and water can corrode the front strut tower housing, letting it crack and pull away. INFINITI will inspect and repair affected vehicles for free.
What should I do if my 1996-2004 INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V244. If it is, contact a franchised INFINITI dealer and ask for the strut housing inspection and any needed repair. Reference recall number 11V244 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and INFINITI's remedy says dealers will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicle as necessary free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised INFINITI dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V244?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. If corrosion lets the strut housing crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly, the vehicle can develop grinding noises, increased steering effort, and steering column damage that can result in a crash.
What if I bought this INFINITI QX4 or Pathfinder used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner, so a used vehicle still qualifies if it is included in recall 11V244. Check your VIN, then call a franchised INFINITI dealer with the campaign number.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V244000 |
|---|---|
| INFINITI customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V244 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V244000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →