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
239 reports, newest first.
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
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2001
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SUA) ON FEB 24, 2001. AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP WITH TRANSMISSION IN "DRIVE" AND REMAINING STOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS, THE ENGINE SPEED SUDDENLY WENT FROM IDLE TO 5000-6000 RPM. VEHICLE REMAINED ESSENTIALLY STATIONARY DUE TO SPINNING TIRES ON WET PAVEMENT AND THE IMMEDIATE HARDER APPLICATION OF BRAKES, BUT A COLLISION WOULD HAVE RESULTED HAD THE PAVEMENT BEEN DRY. ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS. I SET THE TRANSMISSION TO "NEUTRAL" IN REACTION TO THE SUA WHICH MAY HAVE STOPPED THE SUA OR MAY HAVE JUST BEEN COINCIDENTAL WITH THE SUA STOPPING ON ITS OWN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALER IN ANNAPOLIS, MD ON FEB 26, 2001; DEALER FOUND NO STORED ERROR CODES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. BOTH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT NOTHING MORE COULD BE DONE UNTIL DEALER COULD REPEAT THE SUA. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS A RECORD OF THE INCIDENT, AS DOES THE DEALER. THIS NOT A CASE OF THROTTLE/BRAKE PEDAL MISAPPLICATION. I SUSPECT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS THE CAUSE OF THE SUA BECAUSE I RARELY USE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I WAS USING CRUISE CONTROL FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE INCIDENT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES/20 MINUTES UNINTERRUPTED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS MOST LIKELY SET TO ON WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED BUT I DID NOT THINK TO VERIFY THIS AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. ALSO, AND VERY NOTABLY, THERE HAVE BEEN TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AFTER THE SUA INCIDENT WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED (CRUISE SET LIGHT WAS OFF). THE CRUISE CONTROL ON LIGHT SHOULD BE OFF WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS INITIALLY STARTED. I WILL PROVIDE VIN UPON REQUEST. I DONT HAVE THE VIN AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. OTHER VEHICLE PARTICULARS: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SE MODEL.*AK
Equipment, Mar 6, 2001
PRIOR TO BUYING VEHICLE, CONSUMER EXPRESSED INTEREST IN A TETHER ANCHOR, DEALER STATED THAT THIS PART COULD BE ORDERED AND INSTALLED, HOWEVER IT TOOK 2 WEEKS TO COMPLETE CONSUMER'S REQUEST AND CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR IT, CONSUMER IS ANGRY BECAUSE SHE FEELS ALL NEW VEHICLE SHOULD COME EQUIPPED WITH THE TETHER ANCHORS. *SLC
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
Electrical system, Dec 24, 2000
ALL INSTRUMENT GAUGES INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACHOMETER, GAS GAUGE, ENGINE TEMP GAUGE, 4 WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR, AND COMPASS FAIL TO WORK AFTER DRIVING. FIALURE IS INTERMITTENT. SERVICE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX IN UNDER 30 DAYS. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 15, 2000, crash, fire
WHILE BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, TWICE RESULTING IN COLLISIONS. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Suspension, Dec 15, 2000, crash
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO LEFT AND STRUCK DIVIDING WALL. NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE INCIDENT. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEATBELT. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. TIRES WERE INTACT. DRIVER SUFFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
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
Air bags, Dec 1, 2000, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISON WITH A PICKUP TRUCK,AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. *AK
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 13, 2000, crash
WAS IN HEAD ON COLLISION AT APPROX. 50MPH IN NEW 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. VEHICLE HAD 600 MILES ON IT AND WAS LEASED. VEHICLE PULLED IN FRONT OF ME ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY, I HIT IT HEAD ON. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BODY SHOP, POLICE ETC HAVE ALL SAID THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. RADIATOR WAS CRUSHED AND BUMPER AND GRILL ASSEMBLY WERE DEMOLISHED. ALSO CONCERN THAT SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN. HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY BODY SHOP WHO DOES A LOT OF THIS TYPE WORK THAT THEY RECOMMEND HAVING IT TESTED SINCE IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I HAVE BACK INJURY.*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)
Suspension, Sep 5, 2000, crash
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN STARTED TO FEEL LIKE LIGHT TRAVEL TRAILER WAS MOVING BACK AND FORTH .THEN TRAILER IMMEDIATELY FLIPPED OVER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER. VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED TO PULL A TRAILER UP TO 5000 POUNDS, AND THE ONE THAT CONSUMER WAS PULLING WAS ABOUT 3100 POUNDS AT MOST. DEALER CLAIMED THAT BENT WAS SO BENT UP THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME CONSUMER PULLED TRAILER WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET APPROX. 2,000 MILES.*AK