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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2001 Nissan PathfinderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 239 owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve suspension (68) and equipment (45). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Apr 2011
Owner complaints
239
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Remedy pending

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.

SteeringReported Apr 20, 2011NHTSA 11V244000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

239 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2000 – Oct 2024
  1. Suspension68
  2. Equipment45
  3. Steering35
  4. Structure30
  5. Fuel system, gasoline23
  6. Engine and engine cooling17
  7. Vehicle speed control12
  8. Electrical system10
  9. Air bags10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Pathfinder model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996159
1997225
1998149
1999113
2000128
2001239
2002171
2003110
200467
20051,050
2006837
2007561
2008328
200937
201040
201145
201223
2013891
2014575
2015321
2016107
2017188
201878
201976
202053
2022137
2023107
202487
202558
202615
Crashes reported
19
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

68 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact was attempting to use her brakes to slow for traffic and was unable to stop. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to get the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that prior to the failure her ABS warning had been illuminated for a long period of time prior to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to a significant amount of rust, the front suspension and struts and brake pads, and rotors had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering and Suspension). The work had been previously completed by a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2022Steering, SuspensionODI 11478841

Equipment

45 reports1 crash
“I PURCHASED A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN 2004. THE BOSE 6-DISC CHANGER IMMEDIATELY FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED IT BECAUSE IT FELL WITHIN THE 30-DAY WARRANTY PERIOD. IT WORKED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT AND THEN I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE ONE DAY WHEN I TRIED TO LOAD A CD AND IT HASN'T WORKED SINCE. LAST SPRING, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE AND MY MECHANIC NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT FISH-TAILING IN THE BACK WHICH WAS CAUSED BY DETERIORATION OF THE REAR BUSHINGS, AND OVER TIME, THE FISH-TAILING WOULD GET SO BAD, IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN BRAKING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN CERTAIN PATHFINDER MODELS, AND NISSAN EVEN CORRECTED THE PROBLEM IN FUTURE MODELS OF THE PATHFINDER ONCE THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE POSTS TO THIS WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHERS REGARDING BOTH OF THESE ISSUES IN THE 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. HOW CAN NISSAN NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT? THE REAR BUSHING PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND I PRAY FOR NISSAN'S SAKE NO ONE IS EVER KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE, BECAUSE A GOOD ATTORNEY WILL HAVE A FIELD DAY IN COURT WITH…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2011Suspension, EquipmentODI 10411702

Steering

35 reports2 crashes
“FAMILY CAR;2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER, WE GOT IN THE TRUCK AND DROVE ABOUT 250 FEET TO THE STOP SIGN. I STOP. AS I STARTED MOVING AND SUDDENLY I HEAR A POP LOUD SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND MY STEERING GOT HARD AND DIFFICULT TO STEER AND A GRINDING SOUND AS YOU TURN THE STEERING. DROVE BACK TO THE HOUSE SLOW AND PARK. OPEN THE HOOD AND I SEE THE STRUT TOWER UNDER NEATH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, THEN I LOOK BETWEEN LEFT SIDE (DRIVERS) TIRE THE STRUT TOWER JUST RIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WELD. MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCUR. WHAT IF THIS OCCUR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 106523 MILES AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR A PA INSPECTION.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2020Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11348789
All 2001 Pathfinder problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Pathfinder 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Pathfinder 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,300592
Pathfinder 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,300592
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Pathfinder 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 4206Vehicle 4194
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Pathfinder questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 239 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (68), equipment (45), steering (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026