2001 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11619421

Incident

Mar 10, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID

11478841

Incident

Jul 18, 2022

Mileage

142,000 mi

Rear mount of front passenger control arm cracked where mounts to frame. Very little metal left where bolts hold bracket to body.

NHTSA ID

11432536

Incident

Sep 9, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11348789

Incident

Aug 11, 2020

Mileage

106,523 mi

IN APRIL 2019, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH TOWING A SMALL TRAILER IN THE RIGHT MOST LANE OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY. AS I APPROACHED A HILL, THE PATHFINDER SUDDENLY SMELLED LIKED SOMETHING WAS ON FIRE AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. THE BURNING SMELL LASTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES, BUT I COULD NOT TELL WHERE THE SOURCE WAS AT THE TIME. I RAN SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS, INCLUDING ECU CODES, BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING INDICATIVE OF A PROBLEM OF THIS NATURE. IN JANUARY 2020, I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER REPLACING SEVERAL WORN OUT DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS (CLUTCH, ENGINE, RADIATOR, ENGINE GASKETS) AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD NOT START. I FOUND A BURNED OUT FUSE TO THE ECCS2, 10 AMP CIRCUIT. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON OR RUNNING AT THE TIME. AGAIN THE SMOKE LASTED SEVERAL MINUTES. THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE COMPUTER CASING OF THE VEHICLE'S ECU. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IMMEDIATELY AND REMOVED THE ECU FROM THE VEHICLE. I DISCOVERED A BURNED CHIP INSIDE. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF RESEARCH, I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE AND LEARN THAT THIS HAPPENS TO MANY OTHER MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES OF SIMILAR YEAR MODEL. THE CAUSE IS ALWAYS THE SAME - THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE SEALS FAIL, THEN WATER GETS INSIDE THE ELECTRIC IACV MOTOR AND WHEN THE ECU TRIES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE IACV FAILURE, IT OVERLOADS THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND SHORTS OUT THIS PARTICULAR CHIP. SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SPENDING SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HAVE NISSAN REPLACE PARTS AND REPAIR THEIR ECU AS THESE VEHICLES ARE NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11299157

Incident

Apr 13, 2019

Mileage

198,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WALSER NISSAN WAYZATA (612-426-6995, LOCATED AT 15906 WAYZATA BLVD, WAYZATA, MN 55391) VIA THE AFTER HOUR SERVICE. THE CONTACT LEFT A MESSAGE FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REPORT. THE CONTACT WENT ON A VACATION. OVERNIGHT, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEALER CALLED THE CONTACT AND INFORMED HIM TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE PREMISES BEFORE 8AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CONTACT EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS OUT OF TOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT BY THE DEALER. FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000. The contact is requesting a call back from a NHTSA Supervisor or Administrator.

NHTSA ID

11231413

Incident

Jun 28, 2019

Mileage

187,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STRUCTURE) AND REPAIRED IN 2015. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A U-TURN AND THE STEERING COLUMN FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD AND RAN INTO A CURB. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE AND ALIGN THE VEHICLE AGAINST THE CURB, ALTHOUGH THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SCENE. KLINE NISSAN (3090 HWY 61 N, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (877) 284-5230) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECURRING FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11228822

Incident

Jun 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FRACTURED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND SENT THEM TO KLINE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 3090 HWY 31 N, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (877) 284-5230). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION) YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11228817

Incident

Jun 30, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WERE THE TRUCK WILL PASS VA STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THERE WAS A RECALL PERFORMED BY SEVERAL YEARS AGO BY NISSAN FOR THE RUST ISSUE ON BOTH INNER WHEEL WELLS AND STRUT TOWER AREA.

NHTSA ID

11197090

Incident

Apr 15, 2019

Mileage

166,400 mi

THE SUB-FRAME/CRADLE 54400-0W00 ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS ROTTED OUT TO THE POINT THAT IT WILL NOT PASS A PA STATE INSPECTION. THIS WAS FOUND BY MY MECHANIC WHILE HE WAS REPLACING THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES. MY MECHANIC HAS ORDERED A NEW SUB FRAME + BOLTS TO REPLACE THE ROTTED OUT SUB-FRAME. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER SUB-FRAMES ARE ROTTED OUT ON PATHFINDERS FROM 1996 TO 2004 WHICH IS WHEN NISSAN USED THIS PARTICULAR PART. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS PART FAILS COMPLETELY WHAT WILL HAPPEN??? I HAVE RESTRICTED DRIVING MY PATHFINDER UNTIL THE NEW PART IS INSTALLED. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILS AND IT WILL SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR EVEN KILLED? THE CONTROL ARMS MOUNTED TO THIS PART WHICH CONTROLS STEERING. THIS PART PLUS LABOR WILL COST ME ABOUT $1500.00.

NHTSA ID

11191510

Incident

Mar 25, 2019

Mileage

164,000 mi

THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE WHEEL WELL, DOOR JAMS, FLOOR BOARD, AND FRAME. I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN THE NORTH THEN MOVED SOUTH AND THE PROBLEM HAS GROWN WORSE. THE COMPARTMENT THAT IS HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING OUT AS WELL. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY PROBLEM IF THE SPARE TIRE SEPARATES FROM ITS SUPPORTS WHILE OPERATING ON A ROADWAY. RUST HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH NO SPECIFIC START DATE NOR END DATE.

NHTSA ID

11165645

Incident

Jan 3, 2019

DRIVER SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER MADE A LOUD "POP" SOUND WHEN DRIVING. BOTTOM PORTION OF STRUT TOP CRACKED THROUGH. STRUT TOWER BEARING NOW MOANING WHEN TURNING, OUT OF GIMBLE.

NHTSA ID

11142193

Incident

Oct 19, 2018

Mileage

162,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAITING TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURN; ATTEMPTING TO TURN RESULTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL SPINNING FREELY; VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED; INITIAL INSPECTION REVEALED STEERING COLUMN SHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF; UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER HAD RIPPED AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE TRUCK; **THIS VEHICLE HAD RECALLS ISSUED IN THE PAST, IT WAS TAKEN TO LECKNER NISSAN IN STAFFORD, VA BUT THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT MITIGATE THE PROBLEM - THEY SIMPLY CLEARED THE RECALL FROM THE COMPUTER**

NHTSA ID

11124083

Incident

Aug 26, 2018

Mileage

113,000 mi

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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11114138

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

THE 01 THRU 04 PATHFINDER HAS SOME KIND OF REAR SUSPENSION FLAW. THE ONLINE FORUMS CALL IT A DEATH SWAY AND I AGREE. IT IS BEYOND ME WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. IF YOU HAVE SOMETIME I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOU ON A RIDE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOMETHING WOULD GET DONE AFTER RIDING WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANKS

NHTSA ID

11103436

Incident

Jan 11, 2016

Mileage

175,000 mi

"FRONT STRUT TOWER CORROSION AND RUST" - WHILE PARKED, I CHECKED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA AND NOTICED CORROSION AND RUST. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE STRUT TOWER ITSELF. THIS CRACK BEGINS IN THE AREA THAT NISSAN ALLEGEDLY "FIXED" AND "REPAIRED" UNDER THEIR RECALL A FEW YEARS BACK. OBVIOUSLY, THIS WAS NOT A PERMANENT FIX AND HAS NOW PRESENTED A SAFETY HAZARD AND POTENTIALLY FINANCIAL BURDEN ON MY FAMILY AND ME. THIS VEHICLE IS A PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY, INCLUDING MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD.

NHTSA ID

11089596

Incident

Apr 21, 2018

Mileage

218,000 mi

1. FEET HOLDER IS BROKEN . 2. STEERING IS LOSE THAT'S WHY SOMETIMES CAR DOESN'T START UNTIL YOU TRY TO MOVE THE GEAR OF STEERING . 3. PRESSING GAS PADDLE MAKE TOO MUCH NOISE AND VERY SLOW PICK UP .

NHTSA ID

11073512

Incident

Dec 12, 2017

PRESSING GAS MAKING TOO MUCH NOICE

NHTSA ID

11073298

Incident

Dec 12, 2017

BASE RUSTED AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I WAS DRIVING MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE FENDER POPPED LOOSE THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND COULDN'T TURN ANYMORE, LUCKILY IT WAS JUST A TURN DOWN THE STREET OF MY HOUSE. PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ID

11058408

Incident

Oct 20, 2017

Mileage

20 mi

THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME BY AN INDIVIDUAL AND IT HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO PASS EMISSIONS. HAD THE DEATH WOBBLE WHEN I FIRST GOT IT. I'M EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS LEMON I WAS. SOLD. I'M A BREAST CANCER PATIENT AND LIMITED ON INCOME AND I WAS REALLY SCREWED OVER. LOST OVER 3000 DOLLARS OVER THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

11041599

Incident

Oct 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED A CREAKING SOUND ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10970341

Incident

Mar 3, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

I OWN A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE 4X4 BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT FRAME WHERE THE STRUT TOWER ARE LOCATED ARE SEVERELY ROTTING WHICH CAUSED THE ENTIRE ALL MY BRAKE LINES TO ROT AWAY I WAS DRIVING TO UPSTATE COLLEGE TO GET MY SON AND I WAS ALSO WITH MY DAUGHTER I COULD HAVE DIED I CHECKED ONLINE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM I CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL I AM SO UPSET AND WORRIED THE MECHANIC CAN'T EVEN LIFT THE TRUCK ALL THE WAY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE TOWER BUCKLES EVEN THE MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A RECALL PLEASE HELP ME. *TR ..UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF

NHTSA ID

10934098

Incident

Jun 22, 2016

Mileage

330 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PLASTIC HEAD LAMP COVER HAD BECOME FOGGED, WHICH CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE VERY DIMLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAMAGE TO THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY WAS CAUSED BY HEAR OF THE HEAD LAMP AND THE INABILITY OF THE PLASTIC MATERIAL TO WITHSTAND INTENSE HEAT. UPDATED 12/14/16.*JB UPDATED 01/26/17*LJ UPDATED 7/2/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

10919820

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

175,000 mi

I HAVE NOTICED A VERY STROM GAS SMELL IN AND OUTSIDE OF MY WEHICLE LATELY. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND IT NEEDS A NEW GAS TANK AS THE ORIGINAL HAS RUSTED AND LEAKING. I SEE WHERE THIS MODEL HAS A RECALL IN THE STATES WITH HIGH ROAD SALT USEAGE - THIS UNIT CAME FROM ONTARIO WITH HIGH ROAD SALT USEAGE.

NHTSA ID

10919139

Incident

Oct 26, 2016

Mileage

200,000 mi

THE FUEL PUMP IS LEAKING. EXHAUSTED PIPE LEAK AND THE MUFFLER DAMAGED.

NHTSA ID

10872085

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

10 mi