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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
  12. 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: suspension

6 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. 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

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Oct 3, 2014

    THE VEHICLE HANDLES SMOOTHLY ON A SMOOTH SURFACE, BUT WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES GIVING YOU THE FEELING THAT YOU MIGHT LOSE CONTROL. BIG BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60-70 MPH) ARE DECIDEDLY UNCOMFORTABLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER AND A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE TECNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH ME BUT COULD FIND NO STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM MACHINE BALANCED AND ALIGNED THE VEHICLE BUT THE BEHAVIOR OF THE VEHICLE REMAINS THE SAME. THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER WENT ON LINE IN THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR ANY COMMON COMPLAINTS AND CONCLUDED THAT WHAT I FEEL AND SEE IS THE RESULT OF THE WAY THE VEHICLE FRAME IS MADE WHICH CAUSES THE MOVEMENT WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR DIVOT IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TO HOLD ONTO THE WHEEL WHEN I HIT A BUMP, AS IF I WAS FLYING A SMALL AIRPLANE IN ROUGH WEATHER. SURELY A VEHICLE WITHOUT ACCIDENT, WITH 26,000 MILES SHOULD NOT BEHAVE LIKE THAT. FURTHERMORE, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT A MANUFACTURER COULD PUT A PRODUCT ON THE ROAD WITH A BUILT IN HANDLING PROBLEM LIKE THAT. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS ONE ASPECT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS 2011 PATHFINDER MEETS MY NEEDS BUT THE STEERING MOVEMENT THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN I HIT A LITTLE PATCH OF ROUGH ROAD MAKE ME FARE OF LOSING CONTROL WHEN IT HAPPENS WITHOUT A WARNING. *TR