2001 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 239 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 19 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 14 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Steering, columnApr 20, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V244000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and capSep 18, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.
THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachmentsAug 30, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BRACKETS USED TO ATTACH THE TWO GAS STRUTS TO THE REAR DOOR (HATCH) MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MADE. AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE INCREASE IN GAS PRESSURE IN THE STRUT(S) COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH BRACKETS TO BEND, RESULTING IN THE STRUTS DETACHING FROM THE BRACKET(S) WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING THE REAR DOOR.
IF BOTH STRUTS DETACH FROM THE BRACKETS, THE DOOR WILL RAPIDLY FALL DOWN, POSSIBLY STRIKING SOMEONE AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 01V282000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WATER CONTROL MODULE AND THERMOSTAT NEEDED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 215,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 18, 2008
ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT - CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MY MECHANIC FIXED THE ENGINE SEVICE LIGHT BEING ALWAYS ON BY BYPASSING SOMETHING ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Aug 6, 2008
I PURCHASED AN 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN 2003 AND THE BOSE RADIO W/ 6 CD CLARION PLAYER. "ERR 2" CODED 3-MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, IT WAS REPLACED WITH A REFURBISHED SYSTEM OF THE SAME. IT IS 8/08 AND THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN AGAIN, AND NOT COVERED. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD GO THROUGH 2 RADIOS IN ONLY 63,000 MILES?? RIDICULOUS!!! NISSAN WILL NOT STAND BY THE CHEAP PARTS USED BY CLARION IN THE RADIO (AS RESEARCHED ON THE NET). I ALSO HAVE AN ECM PROBLEM, NISSAN SAYS IT NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED, BUT WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON CODING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CONVERTER, JUST AN ERROR WITH THE SOFTWARE IN THE ECM. SO NOW I WON'T KNOW IF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON FOR SOME THING SERIOUS OR IT IS JUST THE CONVERTER WRONGLY CODING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2008
THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM (FROM AND INCLUDING Y-PIPE AND BACK) HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE MOST RUSTED OUT SYSTEM HE HAD EVER SEEN. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DUE TO INCORRECT MAKING OF THE PRODUCT. THIS MAY BE SIMILAR TO THE OTHER RECALL IN WHICH THE LACK OF PROPERLY COATING THE ITEMS CAUSED PREMATURE RUSTING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 15, 2008
NISSAN PATHFINDER- OXYGEN SENSOR KEEPS ON FALLING. VERY POOR QUALITY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 13, 2007
2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH GAS LEAK. CONSUMER STATES FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE ALL THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THEY WERE EXPERIENCING. *KB THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR. (RECALL 07V435000) *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2006
WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW , MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON I TOOK THIS VEHICLE AT LEAST 5 TO 6 TIMES TO THE DEALER THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. GOD, I A NURSE I NEED TO GET TO MY PATIENT AS WE SPEAK THIS CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THEY CANT FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. ISN'T THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 3, 2006
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS STATE INSPECTION THE VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS TESTING DUE TO A FAULTY REAR OXYGEN SENSOR. THE INSPECTION SITE PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT PRODUCED THIS CODE. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA ITEM 628220 CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS TO LET THE CONTACT KNOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 11, 2005
EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I HAD TO CALL NISSAN HQ BACK BOTH TIMES JUST TO GET AND ANSWER THAT YES IT IS COVERED AND NO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I AM COMPLETELY OVER NISSANS FAULTY WORKMANSHIP. I TOOK MY X IN TO HAVE THE 60K MAINT DONE AND THEY HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME ABOUT MY BRAKES, BUT DIDN'T TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE CRACKED MANIFOLD. THEY EVEN TOLD ME THAT THEY SAW IT BUT DIDN'T THINK IT WAS ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. IF IT WASN'T FROM THE DEALER CHARGING ME FOR OVERFILLING MY TRANS FLUID AND NOT TIGHTENING A TRANS HOSE FITTING, I WOULD HAD DROVE THE THING UNTIL THE NEXT TIME TO CHANGE THE OIL AND NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD OR RAN THE TRANSMISSION DRY. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT IS MY FAULT FOR NOT KEEPING AN EYE ON IT. I ASKED THE LADY AT HQ'S, IF I HAD TAKEN MY X IN WITH 60K MILES ON IT AND THEY HAD FOUND THE CRACK WOULD IT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY? SHE TOLD ME NO THEN WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT IN ON 59999K AND IT WOULD HAD BEEN. I HAD TAKEN IT IN PRIOR TO THE 60K TO WHICH THE DEALER DID NOTHING OR NOTED NOTHING. THEN AFTER FINDING THE TRANS FLUID LEAK I TOOK IT BACK IN WHICH WAS ABOUT 3 DAYS LATER. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK IN IT WAS OVER THE 60K. NOW AFTER THE DEALER QUOTED ME 4 DIFFERENT PRICES RANGING FROM 300-1500 DOLLARS ON REPAIRING THE EXACT SAME THING (EXHAUST MANIFOLD). I AM PAYING MORE FOR GAS DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE FROM THE CRACKED/FAULTY MANIFOLD. I CONSTANTLY SMELL EXHAUST DURING TRAVELING(STOPS). AT TIMES IT IS TO THE POINT THAT I MUST KEEP THE WINDOWS OPEN. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 22, 2004
THE OXYGEN SENOR FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE OXYGEN SENOR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 22, 2004
SEVERE OIL LEAKAGE. HAD TO REPLACE OIL COOLER ASSEMBLY. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 11, 2004
MY 2001 PATHFINDER HAD ONLY 37,800 MILES WHEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY DEALERSHIP SAYS IT NEEDS BOTH REAR OXYGEN SENSORS AT A COST OF OVER $500. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT OXYGEN SENSORS WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO NEED REPLACING UNTIL 90,000 MILES. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN (02006) REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I FEEL THAT AT LEAST OF PORTION OF THIS COST SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOW DO I CHECK ON THIS? *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Dec 1, 2004
MY 2001 PATHFINDER HAS HAD SOME MAJOR TROUBLES WITH STARTING. I HAVE HAD TO WAIT FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN A HALF OF AN HOUR TO GET IT STARTED AND I ALSO HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, (I WAS OUT OF TOWN), AND WAIT FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE I RECEIVED A JUMP START, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS FULL. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE 2001 PATHFINDER HAS BEEN RECALLED IN ASIA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS IN THE STATES? S I HAVE HAD THE SAME INCIDENT OCCUR THREE TIMES I AM UNSURE ABOUT EXACT DATES OF THEIR OCCURRENCES.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 29, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STARTING VEHICLE AND INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED OF 0-35 MPH. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 21, 2004
MY DAUGHTER'S SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. SHE HAS PULLED OVER AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OVER AND OVER DUE TO THIS SINCE WE HAVE TOLD HER IT MAY BE UNSAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I FIND THAT THOUSANDS OF 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MILEAGE IS VERY LOW WHEN THIS OCCURS. I AM TAKING IT IN AGAIN TO HAVE ANOTHER "SENSOR" REPLACED BUT THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AND THE CAR SHAKES BADLY.F HUNDRED/THOUSANDS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2001, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL? E SPENT 800 ON TIRES BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT SHOOK DUE TO THIS, THEN THEY DECIDED IT WAS ANOTHER SENSOR.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 28, 2004
WATER BEGAN TO LEAK UNDERNEATH OF THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND THEN MULTIPLE LIGHT SENSORS STARTING ACTIVATING WITHOUT CAUSE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE EVAPORATOR WAS CLOGGED WITH LEAVES, ETC. HOWEVER, THE PART WAS SAID NOT TO NEED REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE WHOLES IN THE EVAPORATOR, SO IT WOULDN'T CLOG AGAIN. CALL WAS PLACED TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY, AND THEY STATED IT WASN'T COVER SINCE IT DIDN'T NEED A NEW PART, HOWEVER THEY DIDN'T FEEL THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE WHOLES IF NOTHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.CAR IS HARDLY EVER PARKED UNDER A TREE. DON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE EVAPORATOR WHOLES, IF THERE IS NO PREVIOUSLY KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS ABOUT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 10, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLES ENGINE WOULD OVERHEAT. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE RADIATOR TO FIND THAT ALL OF THE FLUIDS WERE LEAKING OUT ON THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD THE DEALER EXAMINE THE VEHICLE ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE DEALER HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND THE FAN CLUTCH.*AK