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: steering
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Dec 19, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER ON A BUMPY ROAD AND HIT A POTHOLE, THE RIGHT STRUT PUNCHED THROUGH THE STRUT TOWER AND I COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL SHOP AND FOUND OUT THE WHOLE OF BOTH STRUT TOWERS WERE CORRODED BEYOND BELIEF. I HAD ONE REPAIRED AFTER I REPORTED IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY WHO THEN CHARGED ME A POINT ON MY LICENSE FOR THE ACCIDENT. I THEN TRADED THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO AVOID PAYING THROUGH THE NOSE FOR THE OTHER STRUT TOWER REPAIR, I THEN FIND OUT NISSAN DID A RECALL ON THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY REFUSE TO PICK UP THE PHONE. THEY EVEN GAVE ME A BOGUS E-MAIL ACCOUNT TO SEND THE PAPER WORK FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT. I FEEL THEY AT LEAST OWE ME THE AMOUNT FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE SURCHARGE I AM STILL PAYING. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jul 26, 2011
MY 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE 145,169 MILES AT THE TIME. (THIS NOISE BEGAN AROUND 120,000K MILES). NOW I HAVE ONLY 1K MORE OUT OF NECESITY. FRONT RIGHT SIDE(DRIVERS SIDE ) BEGAN TO MAKE A THUMPING SOUND. SOON AFTER THE SOUND BOTH SIDES WERE MAKING THE SAME THUNP. I CAN FEEL EVERY BUMP AND CRACK IN ROAD AND STEERING FEELS WAY OFF. THE SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE BAD AND THE UPPER MOUNTS WERE RUSTY AND NEED REPLACED FOR SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AS RIDE OF TRUCK. I HAVE MY ESTIMATE AT $740.00. AT THIS TIME I CANNOT AFFORD THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. NISSAN HAS SENT A LETTER HINTING TO A FUTURE RECALL, BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME LATER. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? DRIVE UNTIL THE STRUTS BLOW!!!! UNACCEPTABLE TO SEND A RECALL NOTICE TO BE DETERMINED. THANK YOU *TR
Steering, Jul 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE AND A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V244000 (STEERING:COLUMN), WHICH WAS NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. CLUNKING NOISE HEARD WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN (FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR) OF STOPPING. SIDE CONTROL ARM RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED BACK TO BE REATTACHED TO UNDERBODY FRAME. UPDATED 10/13/2011 *LN *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Mar 22, 2011
THE DRIVERSIDE STRUT TOWER HAS BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE FRAME. THERE IS NO RUST MARKS ANYWHERE IN THIS SECTION. THE STRUT TOWER WORE AWAY AT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT AND BROKE IT. I LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR AND WAS FORCED TO JUMP A CURB. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Mar 17, 2011
THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER ON MY 2001 PATHFINDER COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE STRUT TOWER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY DUE TO THE RUST. WHEN THE TOWER FINALLY LET GO, THE STEERING WAS AFFECTED CAUSING ISSUES STEERING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, WHEREAS THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT AS BAD. THE DISCONNECTION OF THE TOWER CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END SUSPENSION COMPONENTS.
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Feb 2, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS MAKING A SHARP RIGHT ONTO A FREEWAY WHEN HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE SIDE RAIL OF THE EMERGENCY LANE CAUSING SCRATCHES ON THE FRONT BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED AND BROKE THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE STRUT TOWER, THE ABS BRAKES SENSOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 03/03/11 *BF THE STRUT TOWER SEPARATED FROM THE UNIBODY FRAME BECAUSE OF RUST ON THE BOTTOM/ THE STEERING SHAFT SNAPPED WHEN THE STRUT TOWER PUSHED INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPDATED 09/01/11*JB
Steering, Feb 2, 2011, crash
TL*THE DRIVER OWNED A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INVOLVED SO THE EXACT DETAILS OF THE FAILURE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DRIVER DIED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT BUT THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
Steering, Tires, Dec 19, 2002
THE VEHICLE SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CAUSES EXTREME WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TIRES. I HAVE HAD THIS NISSAN PATHFINDER (2001) FOR JUST OVER A YEAR AND NISSAN HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM IT WAS "BUILT TO RIDE THIS WAY". THE RESULT IS PREMATURE BREAKING PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE PUT NEW TIRES ON, TURNED THE ROTORS AND SPENT MANY HOURS BALANCING THE TIRES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE DAY ONE.
Steering, Feb 15, 2001
THE STEERING PULL AND/OR BODY VIBRATION MANIFESTS ITSELF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 60 AND 75 MPH, REGARDLESS OF ROAD CROWN OR IMPERFECTIONS OF THE SURFACE. THIS DEFECT IMPAIRS THE STEERING CONSIDERABLY. STEERING BECOMES EVEN MORE OF A CHANNLANGE DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS IN RESPECT OF THE RECENT NHTSA PUBLICATION, SHOWING A TWO STAR ROLLOVER RATING FOR THIS VEHICLE, THE REFERENCED DEFECT INDEED HAS A SERIOUSNEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE WHILST DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS AT THE SPEEDS INDICATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT RESPONDED TO PHONECALLS AND LETTER OF NOTIFICATION. ARBITRATION WAS HELD UNDER THE BBB AUTOLINE PROGRAM. REQUEST FOR REPURCHASE WAS DENIED DESPITE THE FACT THAT BOTH THE MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTATIVE AND THE ARBITRATOR RECOGNIZED THE DEFECT DURING THE TEST DRIVE. THE ARBITRATOR CONSIDERED IT A NUSANCE. *AK
Steering, Air bags, Nov 5, 2000
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT 60 TO 70 MPH TAKEN SUV TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND FOUND OUT THAT TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE EXCESSIVE RADIAL FORCE MEASURMENTS AND THAT THEY ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH AAND MAY CAUSE AN ACEDENT. DEALER INSPECTED THE CAR AND MUITL TIMES BALANCE THE WHEEL/TIRE USING RADIAL FORCE BALANCING BUT UNABLE TO GET RID OF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. DEALER GAVE ME BACK SUV AS IS (KNOWING IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE) AND ORDERED 4 NEW TIRES OF THE SAME BRAND WHICH TOOK A WEEK TO RECIEVE. I REQUESTED TO REPLACE TIRE WITH MICHILINE LTX BUT DEALER AND NISSAN REFUSED TO DO SO. I REQUESTED A SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILTY LETTER SINCE THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A CHOOSE OF WHAT BRAND TO CHOOSE BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO SO. DEALER FINALLY REPLACED TIRES AND VIBRATION IS 90 %IMPROVED BUT STILL EXISTS. ALSO I HAVE TAKEN MY SUV FOR A RATTLE IN STEERING AND THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY FROM FACTORY. DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THEN THREE WEEKS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RETURNED. TOOK SUV TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY PUT "TUBES IN THE SPRING BEHIND THE AIRBAG" THIS IS TO REDUCE RATTLE/VIBRATION. NOW THE HORN IS UNOPERATIONAL DUE TO THIS. YOU MUST PUT BOTH HANDS ON THE HORN/AIRBAG AND PUSH VERY HARD EST 40IBS OF FORCE TO ENGAGE THE HORN. THIS IS UNACCPTIBLE AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VECHICAL WITH OUT A HORN. I DO HAVE A SAFETY CONVERN TO OTHER OWNER OF THIS SUV DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT CAN BLOW AND CASUE A SEROUS EXCEDENT. I DP HOPE THAT NHTSA TAKE ACTION. (DOT NUMBER: EN6D0800 TIRESIZE: 255/65R16)