NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. Most complaints involve air bags (12) and engine (10). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Pathfinder model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 159 |
| 1997 | 225 |
| 1998 | 149 |
| 1999 | 113 |
| 2000 | 128 |
| 2001 | 239 |
| 2002 | 171 |
| 2003 | 110 |
| 2004 | 67 |
| 2005 | 1,050 |
| 2006 | 837 |
| 2007 | 561 |
| 2008 | 328 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 45 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 891 |
| 2014 | 575 |
| 2015 | 321 |
| 2016 | 107 |
| 2017 | 188 |
| 2018 | 78 |
| 2019 | 76 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2022 | 137 |
| 2023 | 107 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 58 |
| 2026 | 15 |
“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!”
“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”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,700 | 523 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,000 | 555 |
| Pathfinder 4WD Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 5.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $5,300 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 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.
Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (12), engine (10), power train (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).