Nissan Truck Frames Rusting Out -- Common Problem?

I own a '95 Nissan pickup truck that is perfect in ever way -- EXCEPT
that the frame has rusted through. In essence, the truck is now
trash, despite having a great body, engine, and drivetrain. (Three
shops have told me there's no way to weld or drill it -- the frame is
crumbling.)

Bottom line: The frame isn't supposed to be the *first* thing that goes
bad on a truck. Clearly Nissan used some sort of sub-standard metal, or
didn't treat it properly. (Two data points: I also own a '95 Toyota
pickup, and a '95 Ford van -- with no rust on either frame.)

The last shop I spoke with said that he has seen this many times before
with Nissan pickup trucks, and that Nissan is aware of the problem and
has taken some sort of action to assist owners.

Does anyone know if there is any owner assistance available for this?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Unfortunately it's pretty common in rust belt areas. I doubt Nissan is
going to do anything about a 12 y/o truck.

Jay Honeck wrote:

I own a '95 Nissan pickup truck that is perfect in ever way -- EXCEPT
that the frame has rusted through. In essence, the truck is now
trash, despite having a great body, engine, and drivetrain. (Three
shops have told me there's no way to weld or drill it -- the frame is
crumbling.)

Bottom line: The frame isn't supposed to be the *first* thing that goes
bad on a truck. Clearly Nissan used some sort of sub-standard metal, or
didn't treat it properly. (Two data points: I also own a '95 Toyota
pickup, and a '95 Ford van -- with no rust on either frame.)

The last shop I spoke with said that he has seen this many times before
with Nissan pickup trucks, and that Nissan is aware of the problem and
has taken some sort of action to assist owners.

Does anyone know if there is any owner assistance available for this?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Unfortunately it's pretty common in rust belt areas. I doubt Nissan is
going to do anything about a 12 y/o truck.

Yeah, I doubt it, too. However, if Nissan is aware of this problem,
they risk alienating hundreds of thousands of owners (like me) who may
yet purchase a dozen or more vehicles in my remaining lifetime.

And I can guarantee that there will never be another Nissan in my
"fleet" again, after this fiasco. I've never heard ot such crap from
an auto/truck maker. That frame should last nigh-on forever, compared
to everything else in the truck.

In short, Nissan would be money ahead (in the long run) to fix this
problem. And the Japanese automakers are usually quite good about
seeing the long run, unlike their American counterparts...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay Honeck wrote:

I own a '95 Nissan pickup truck that is perfect in ever way -- EXCEPT
that the frame has rusted through. In essence, the truck is now
trash, despite having a great body, engine, and drivetrain. (Three
shops have told me there's no way to weld or drill it -- the frame is
crumbling.)

Bottom line: The frame isn't supposed to be the *first* thing that goes
bad on a truck. Clearly Nissan used some sort of sub-standard metal, or
didn't treat it properly. (Two data points: I also own a '95 Toyota
pickup, and a '95 Ford van -- with no rust on either frame.)

The last shop I spoke with said that he has seen this many times before
with Nissan pickup trucks, and that Nissan is aware of the problem and
has taken some sort of action to assist owners.

Does anyone know if there is any owner assistance available for this?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

It is a common problem. I have a '93 Pathfinder I will have to get rid
of for the same reason. It still looks good, runs great, only replaced
the original exhaust about 6 months ago - alas, the frame is rotted.
Especially around the rear wheel area.
Spoke with a body guy; he see's lots of Nissan trucks around those
years with the identical problem. Definitely upsetting. I'm sure other
manufacturers come with their own set of issues. Between the frame and
the manifold studs the truck will have cost me. Unfortunately, the
frame isn't something that can be fixed. Other than that the truck has
been exceptional.

Keith

Keith

Spoke with a body guy; he see's lots of Nissan trucks around those
years with the identical problem. Definitely upsetting. I'm sure other
manufacturers come with their own set of issues. Between the frame and
the manifold studs the truck will have cost me. Unfortunately, the
frame isn't something that can be fixed. Other than that the truck has
been exceptional.

Agreed. Their trucks are remarkably reliable, run fantastic, handle
well -- in short, they built the perfect little pickup truck. Even at
12 years old, it's barely broken in.

Unfortunately, they built this fine castle on a foundation of sand.
Nissan should be ashamed. For the frame to be the *first* thing to
fail is unconscionable.

Can anyone say "class action suit"?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

I own a 92 Pathy and I hear and have witnessed similar problems.
There is a particular place in the rear frame in the wheel well that
collects dirt on the interior of the frame and gets wet and rusts.
I am contemplating cleaning these spots out and sealing them up.
Any opinions?
Sparky


Jay Honeck wrote:

I own a '95 Nissan pickup truck that is perfect in ever way -- EXCEPT
that the frame has rusted through. In essence, the truck is now
trash, despite having a great body, engine, and drivetrain. (Three
shops have told me there's no way to weld or drill it -- the frame is
crumbling.)

Bottom line: The frame isn't supposed to be the *first* thing that goes
bad on a truck. Clearly Nissan used some sort of sub-standard metal, or
didn't treat it properly. (Two data points: I also own a '95 Toyota
pickup, and a '95 Ford van -- with no rust on either frame.)

The last shop I spoke with said that he has seen this many times before
with Nissan pickup trucks, and that Nissan is aware of the problem and
has taken some sort of action to assist owners.

Does anyone know if there is any owner assistance available for this?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

I own a 92 Pathy and I hear and have witnessed similar problems.
There is a particular place in the rear frame in the wheel well that
collects dirt on the interior of the frame and gets wet and rusts.
I am contemplating cleaning these spots out and sealing them up.
Any opinions?

I'm not sure that will help. Although I didn't know the extent to
which the frame was failing, I *was* aware that it was rusting. Thus,
I kept the areas I could reach meticulously clean, even spray-painting
exposed areas with black rustoleum.

Unfortunately, the frame gave way at the point that is immedicately
underneath the joint between the bed and the box. It's not broken all
the way through, but it's going -- and the welding shops tell me that
the rest of the frame has "cancer", too. It's apparently intergranular
corrosion, and it starts from INSIDE, as well as outside.

Anyone need a really nice engine/drivetrain?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Bottom line, every vehicle will rust if your driving in an area that uses
salt to clear the roads, you must undercoat every year if you want it too
last
"Jay Honeck" <jjhoneck (AT) mchsi (DOT) com> wrote

I own a '95 Nissan pickup truck that is perfect in ever way -- EXCEPT
that the frame has rusted through. In essence, the truck is now
trash, despite having a great body, engine, and drivetrain. (Three
shops have told me there's no way to weld or drill it -- the frame is
crumbling.)

Bottom line: The frame isn't supposed to be the *first* thing that goes
bad on a truck. Clearly Nissan used some sort of sub-standard metal, or
didn't treat it properly. (Two data points: I also own a '95 Toyota
pickup, and a '95 Ford van -- with no rust on either frame.)

The last shop I spoke with said that he has seen this many times before
with Nissan pickup trucks, and that Nissan is aware of the problem and
has taken some sort of action to assist owners.

Does anyone know if there is any owner assistance available for this?

Thanks!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
'95 Nissan Pickup
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Bottom line, every vehicle will rust if your driving in an area that uses
salt to clear the roads, you must undercoat every year if you want it too
last

I take it you work for Nissan?

That's the craziest thing I've ever heard.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" <jjhoneck (AT) mchsi (DOT) com> wrote

Bottom line, every vehicle will rust if your driving in an area that uses
salt to clear the roads, you must undercoat every year if you want it too
last

I take it you work for Nissan?

That's the craziest thing I've ever heard.

If that's the craziest thing you've ever heard, you've never actually
listened to what politicians say.

--
Fidei Coticula Crux