Problems · NHTSA complaints
2001 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Owners filed 239 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Sep 2000 and Oct 2024. The most-cited component is suspension (68).
Complaints
239
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Suspension68
- Equipment45
- Steering35
- Structure30
- Fuel system, gasoline23
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Vehicle speed control12
- Electrical system10
- Air bags10
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Tires9
- Seats8
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Visibility4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
10
14
11
7
16
8
15
21
24
8
12
29
8
8
14
9
4
2
8
6
2
1
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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…”
Steering
35 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Structure
30 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the door open warning light was illuminated. In addition, the vehicle dome light remained on. The contact stated when opening the rear door hatch there was an abnormal noise present. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 01V282000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where she was informed that the remedy parts were no longer available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Fuel system, gasoline
23 reports1 related recall
“FUEL LEAK DUE TO CORRODED FUEL FILLER NECK. NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE DUE TO ROAD SALT CAUSING CORROSION. NTB07-078 LISTS THE RANGE OF 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDERS AS JN8(*)R0(***)1W 500001 ' 617275. MY VIN #[XXX] AND THUS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN THEY INDICATE IT IS NOT. NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED. *TR”
Engine and engine cooling
17 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATH FINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WATER CONTROL MODULE AND THERMOSTAT NEEDED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 215,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.