2011 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 45 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 22nd highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 1 involved a fire.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalFeb 10, 2023
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Campaign 23V067000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingDec 19, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.
IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V592000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
45 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Jun 11, 2025
Rear sub frame has significant rust, snapped while driving at slow speed, there was no injury but steering was affected, no harm done this time but it is a known issue, 2wd model has a recall for the same part with the same issue
Suspension, Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 9, 2025
My airbag light and seatbelt light are on and the horn has stopped working. Frame and front suspension is making a horrible creaking sound and has been for months. Frame seems to be rotted … I’ve taken it to multiple places to have it looked at…. I’ve also seen other complaints on here of people having the same issue! This poses a huge safety risk! Definitely needs a recall for both issues!
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 5, 2024
Through a check engine light for camshaft position sensor bank 1 so I replaced both of them well that cleared the check engine light for a min and was running good the after five min of running it started rough idling cutting off and throwing a check engine light for p0340 again I sent it to the Nissan dealer shop they said it didn’t have no check light they tested the sensors and said there good and don’t know what it could be
Suspension, Dec 13, 2023
Frame is rotted from rust. Not drivable as drive train connection to wheels in rear end ready to fail at any moment. Rust is so bad it will require towing to be repaired. Repair estimate exceeds blue book value. $4800. 110,000 current mileage. Recall for this problem existed on this make/model for years 2004 to 2009. This vehicle is 2011 with no recall as yet.
Air bags, Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Feb 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealers: Nissan of Bradenton (1611 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34207: (941) 755-1571) and Gettel Nissan (3530 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239: (941) 343-4855) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Sep 30, 2022
Brake are to the floor, will not come back off the floor. I have everything replace including master cylinder at Nissan. They were unable to figure out what is causing this
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 24, 2021
The Vehicle will frequently and without warning lose all power while in the roadway. Last evening I was exiting the highway when I lost engine power and power steering. The dashboard lights came on and I had to coast to the nearest driveway. This has happened multiple times before, always without warning. When I have taken it to two nissan dealerships they have told me to continue driving it until it happens again because there is no code appearing. Finally it will happen enough where there will be a code and they can repair it. It always ends up being some sort of sensor. This has been going on for approximately 4-5 years.
Suspension, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 23, 2021
When I applied the brakes, a slippage and rubbing noise occurs. Moments later, I could brake. No engine lights are visible on the dashboard. This has occurred several times.
Engine, Jan 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE OIL FILTER FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Service brakes, Jan 7, 2020
WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30MPH WHEN I CAME TO MAKE A STOP MY BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH UNTIL E BRAKE BROUGHT ME TO A STOP. MECHANIC CHECKED AND COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK TO DO IT AGAIN. BRAKES AND ROTORS AND BRAKE FLUID ARE ALL IN TACT .
Engine, Sep 18, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH MY CAR'S ENGINE HAS STALLED. MY CAR AT TIMES WILL NOT TURN OVER BUT THEN WILL CRANK AND THE VDC SLIP LIGHT COMES ON AND MY ENGINE SPUTTERS. THE BATTERY IS GOOD, THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. RECENTLY IT ALMOST STALLED WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON BUT THEN IT ACCELERATED JUST FINE. NOW IT IS INTERMITTENTLY MAKING A LOUD HUMMING/GRINDING NOISE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2019
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2019
AIR BLAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 107,716 MILES ON VEHICLE. TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP AND GIVEN AN ERROR CODE WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG AND SPIRAL CABLE. WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF $1300+ TO FIX. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS WHICH HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. IT WOULD NOT OCCUR UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR CONDITIONS. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, YET THERE ARE NO RECALLS. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE!!
Engine, Feb 14, 2019
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF AND ON. TOOK IT TO VARIOUS MECHANICS AND ALL SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. NOTICED THE LIGHT GOES OFF IN CERTAIN WEATHER, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. SINCE MECHANICS SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG, I CAN'T SAY HOW IT AFFECTS THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR 2 YEARS.
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2018
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK. HAVE TO PUT WINDOW DOWN AND UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE
Air bags, Sep 1, 2018
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT OFF COMES ON AT TIMES.
Other or unspecified, Feb 5, 2018
SEE UPLOADED DOCUMENT...
Air bags, Jan 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (RAMSEY NISSAN, 401 STATE RT 17, UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ 07458) FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS LOOSE DUE TO THE MODULES NOT HOLDING THE AIR BAG IN PLACE AS THEY SHOULD. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,048. DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE MILEAGE BEING OVER 65,000, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Service brakes, Aug 29, 2017
PEDAL LOST PRESSURE, WHEN BRAKING ON A LOW-FRICTION SURFACE OR UNEVEN SURFACE, CAUSES THE PEDAL TO LOSE PRESSURE OR GO "TO THE FLOOR,
Air bags, Sep 7, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Aug 3, 2016
MY VEHICLE IS TO THE POINT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. SOMETHING IN STEERING MECHANISM, IDK BUT WHEN DRIVING ANY DIFFERENTIAL IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD.. I AM A SINGLE PERSON WITH GRANDCHILDREN AND THIS IS NOT SAFE. IT IS SO BAD IT WALKS INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. THIS STARTED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND I TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.
Air bags, May 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Air bags, Apr 22, 2016
MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER SAID IT IS THE AIRBAG SWITCH. I HAD TO PAY $150.00 TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AND THE 2 FRONT AIRBAGS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE TOTAL OF $2500.00. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I SEE THERE ARE A LOT MORE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I SWITCH THE CAR ON AND REMAINS ON.
Power train, Feb 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE TI WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,674.