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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 45

Of the 2011 reports, 1 involved a fire.

Primary concernAir bags12 reports · 27% of complaints
Owner complaints45Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags12
  2. Engine10
  3. Power train7
  4. Service brakes6
  5. Suspension6
  6. Electrical system4
  7. Seat belts3
  8. Other or unspecified3

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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 driver’s 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

  2. 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: service brakes

6 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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 .

  4. 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,

  5. Seat belts, Service brakes, Jul 7, 2013

    I HAVE TAKEN MY 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO THE DEALER OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS BECAUSE OF BRAKE ISSUES. WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BUT FINALLY RESOLVED THE MAIN ISSUE. HOWEVER, NOW I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCK WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR YOU CAN ALWAYS LEAN FORWARD EVEN IF THE CAR IS STOPPED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED, THERE IS NEVER ANY TENSION IN THE SEATBELT LIKE MY OTHER CARS. PLEAS HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS! *TR

  6. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 11, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD BUT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AS SHE CRASHED INTO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT DID NOT DISPLAY ANY RESULTS OF A MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS ATTEMPTING TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.