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: service brakes
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Feb 24, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATE AFTER BEING RESET BY A TECHNICIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, May 31, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHILE EXTENSIVE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERE BODY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Nov 19, 2009
2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER HAS EXPERIENCED TWO EVENTS WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. THE FIRST EVENT INVOLVED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ACTIVATING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH WITHOUT THE DRIVER PULLING UP ON THE EMERGENCY HANDLE. IMMEDIATELY UPON THE BRAKE LOCKING UP, THE DRIVER PULLED UP AND DOWN ON THE HANDLE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THANKFULLY RELEASED ITSELF. THE SECOND EVENT OCCURRED TWO WEEKS LATER WHEN ALL FOUR BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL - IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ENGAGING ANY OF THE BRAKES. AFTER PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL OVER AND OVER, THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED JUST SHORT OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM AT THE INTERSECTION. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY ALLEGEDLY ANALYZED ALL OF THE BRAKING SYSTEMS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ABS SYSTEM THAT MIGHT BE MALFUNCTIONING, BUT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM(S) COULD BE. SINCE THE VEHICLE IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR DAILY USE, WE ARE DRIVING IT WITH SOME CONCERN AND CONSTANT WORRY. *TR
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 7, 2004, crash
WHILE PARALLEL PARKING VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARD AND HIT A BRICK WALL WHILE THE BRAKES WAS STILL BEING APPLIED BY THE CONSUMER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED , AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 4, 2003
WE PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER (VIN #[XXX]) IN JULY 2001 FROM WHITE PLAINS NISSAN, INC. IN WHITE PLAINS, NY. OCTOBER 12, 2003: THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE WHEN BRAKING. I REMOVED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND IMMEDIATELY SAW THAT PART OF THE CALIPER BROKE OFF, AND WAS LEANING AGAINST THE INSIDE PART OF THE RIM, AT WHICH POINT I PUT THE TIRE BACK ON, AND BEGAN CALLING NISSAN TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT (THE CAR IS STILL UNDER ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY). OCTOBER 13, 2003: WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER IN STAMFORD, STAMFORD MOTORS, INC., NISSAN DIVISION. WHEN MY WIFE OLGA DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP, SHE STATED CLEARLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS (BROKEN CALIPER) AND ASKED HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO GET IT FIXED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. SHE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, ACCORDING TO THE PIECE OF PAPER GIVEN TO HER BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, SHE COULD GET CHARGED FOR THE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WHILE IT WAS OBVIOUS WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT WAS STANDARD PROCEDURE, AND SHE HAD TO SIGN IT. THE FOLLOWING DAY, NOBODY CONTACTED ME OR MY WIFE AND WE HAD TO CALL OURSELVES. WHEN MY WIFE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN UPDATE, THEIR SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] SAID THAT THE PART WASN'T GOING TO BE COVERED, BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT THE PART HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH. WHEN MY WIFE ASKED [XXX]. TO ELABORATE, HE SAID THAT THESE PARTS RARELY BREAK UNLESS TAMPERED WITH, AND BECAUSE THERE WAS A SCRATCH ON THE OUTSIDE ON THE CALIPER, THEY THINK THAT SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO CHANGE THE BREAK PADS HIMSELF, AND BROKE THE CALIPER. WE HAVE ALREADY SHOWN THE PART TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT SHOPS, INCLUDING A METAL EXPERT, ALL OF WHICH RECOGNIZED A FATIGUE FAILURE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY TEMPERING . WE ARE INTENDING TO PURSUE THIS MATTER FURTHER, UNTIL NISSAN DECIDES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THIS VERY SERIOUS CUSTOMER CARE ISSUE. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Air, Sep 14, 2003
PREMATURE WEAR AND WARPAGE OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE 34,000 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS MACHINED 2 TIMES. *PH
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 27, 2001
THERE IS SOME SHAKING IN FRONT END BETWEEN 55 MPH AND 70 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER 8 TIMES, BUT SO FAR NO REMEDY.*AK ALSO, THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY ROAR OR SKIP. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 13, 2001, crash
EXCESSIVE EFFORT NEEDED TO ENGAGE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHER THAN 30 MPH SPEEDS OR WHEN VEHICLE LOAD IS HEAVY, DRIVER HAS TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL ALL WAY TO FLOOR TO GET THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. *AK THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND INDICATED TO BE NORMAL. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 15, 2000
THERE IS AN EXTREMELY LONG AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL( APPROX 1/2 WAY TO FLOOR) BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. ALSO, AFTER THE BRAKES ENGAGE IT REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS ON ALMOST EVERY TIME I ENGAGE THE BRAKES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 8, 2000
BRAKES FELT VERY SPONGY WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MA Y RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CHARACTERISICT OF VEHICLE. *AK PEDAL MOVEMENT BEFORE BRAKES ENGAGE WAS EXCESSIVE. CONSUMER HAVE TO PUMP PEDAL BEFORE THE BRAKES BECOME FIRM. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 7, 2000
ABS BRAKE SYSTEMS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM AUTOMOBILES OR THE OWNER SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM REMOVED. *AK