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2001 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 230 owner complaints about the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2001 Nissan Pathfinder
41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Pathfinder median · #11 of 37 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints23031 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage132kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 11, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder has problems

230 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension682
Equipment392
Steering352
Structure302
Fuel system, gasoline230
Engine and engine cooling160
Vehicle speed control114
Service brakes, hydraulic93
Air bags96
14 other systems444

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2001 Nissan Pathfinder recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments

Recall 01V-282 · Aug 30, 2001 · 31,000 vehicles

Risk. IF BOTH STRUTS DETACH FROM THE BRACKETS, THE DOOR WILL RAPIDLY FALL DOWN, POSSIBLY STRIKING SOMEONE AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

132kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 51 suspension complaints. 29% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles15under 100k miles36100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Pathfinder year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Pathfinder median. How we score

'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings

2001 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Nissan Pathfinder frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2001 Nissan Pathfinder side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Frame/Body Structure CorrosionPE11004 · closed Jun 30, 2011
    Led to recall 11V-244
In owners' words

What Pathfinder owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact was attempting to use her brakes to slow for traffic and was unable to stop. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to get the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that…
Complaint 11478841 · Aug 11, 2022 · 142,000 miles
FAMILY CAR;2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WE GOT IN THE TRUCK AND DROVE ABOUT 250 FEET TO THE STOP SIGN. I STOP. AS I STARTED MOVING AND SUDDENLY I HEAR A POP LOUD SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND MY STEERING GOT HARD AND DIFFICULT TO STEER AND A GRINDING SOUND AS YOU TURN THE STEERING. DROVE BACK TO THE…
Complaint 11348789 · Aug 12, 2020 · 106,523 miles
DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WERE THE TRUCK WILL PASS VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THERE WAS A RECALL PERFORMED BY SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY NISSAN FOR THE RUST ISSUE ON BOTH INNER WHEEL WELLS AND STRUT TOWER AREA.
Complaint 11197090 · Apr 18, 2019 · 166,400 miles

Own a 2001 Pathfinder?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.