RoadVitals

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Jun 11, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 17, 2010

What this page shows

Our database holds 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 45 · page 1 of 2

Suspension
Filed 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

NHTSA ID
11666317
Incident
Jun 10, 2025
AirbagsSeat beltsSuspension
Filed 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!

NHTSA ID
11665673
Incident
Jul 2, 2018
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 5, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11575665
Incident
Feb 29, 2024
Suspension
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11559867
Incident
Dec 12, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11544564
Incident
Feb 9, 2023
Airbags
Filed Feb 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealers: Nissan of Bradenton (1611 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34207: (941) 755-1571) and Gettel Nissan (3530 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239: (941) 343-4855) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11507359
Incident
Feb 9, 2023
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2022

Brake are to the floor, will not come back off the floor. I have everything replace including master cylinder at Nissan. They were unable to figure out what is causing this

NHTSA ID
11487315
Incident
Jan 3, 2022
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 24, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11437971
Incident
Oct 22, 2021
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11437884
Incident
Oct 11, 2021
Engine
Filed Jan 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE OIL FILTER FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11298254
Incident
Aug 9, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2020

WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30MPH WHEN I CAME TO MAKE A STOP MY BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH UNTIL E BRAKE BROUGHT ME TO A STOP. MECHANIC CHECKED AND COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK TO DO IT AGAIN. BRAKES AND ROTORS AND BRAKE FLUID ARE ALL IN TACT .

NHTSA ID
11297566
Incident
Jan 6, 2020
Mileage
119,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2019

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH MY CAR'S ENGINE HAS STALLED. MY CAR AT TIMES WILL NOT TURN OVER BUT THEN WILL CRANK AND THE VDC SLIP LIGHT COMES ON AND MY ENGINE SPUTTERS. THE BATTERY IS GOOD, THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. RECENTLY IT ALMOST STALLED WHILE DRIVING, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON BUT THEN IT ACCELERATED JUST FINE. NOW IT IS INTERMITTENTLY MAKING A LOUD HUMMING/GRINDING NOISE.

NHTSA ID
11256327
Incident
Sep 8, 2019
Mileage
167,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 5, 2019

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ID
11194239
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Mileage
142,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 7, 2019

AIR BLAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 107,716 MILES ON VEHICLE. TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP AND GIVEN AN ERROR CODE WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG AND SPIRAL CABLE. WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF $1300+ TO FIX. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS WHICH HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. IT WOULD NOT OCCUR UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR CONDITIONS. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, YET THERE ARE NO RECALLS. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE!!

NHTSA ID
11184851
Incident
Feb 28, 2019
Mileage
107,716 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2019

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF AND ON. TOOK IT TO VARIOUS MECHANICS AND ALL SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. NOTICED THE LIGHT GOES OFF IN CERTAIN WEATHER, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. SINCE MECHANICS SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG, I CAN'T SAY HOW IT AFFECTS THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR 2 YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11180020
Incident
Feb 5, 2017
Mileage
92,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 23, 2018

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK. HAVE TO PUT WINDOW DOWN AND UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE

NHTSA ID
11142214
Incident
Oct 16, 2018
Airbags
Filed Sep 1, 2018

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT OFF COMES ON AT TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11123940
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
114,500 mi
Filed Feb 5, 2018

SEE UPLOADED DOCUMENT...

NHTSA ID
11067143
Incident
Dec 29, 2017
Airbags
Filed Jan 22, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (RAMSEY NISSAN, 401 STATE RT 17, UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ 07458) FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS LOOSE DUE TO THE MODULES NOT HOLDING THE AIR BAG IN PLACE AS THEY SHOULD. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,048. DUE TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE MILEAGE BEING OVER 65,000, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
11064130
Incident
Jan 11, 2018
Mileage
125,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 29, 2017

PEDAL LOST PRESSURE, WHEN BRAKING ON A LOW-FRICTION SURFACE OR UNEVEN SURFACE, CAUSES THE PEDAL TO LOSE PRESSURE OR GO "TO THE FLOOR,

NHTSA ID
11020266
Incident
Jul 14, 2017
Mileage
86,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ID
10904299
Incident
May 30, 2016
Mileage
38,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
10892705
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
62,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 6, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

NHTSA ID
10863624
Incident
Nov 16, 2015
Mileage
11,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 22, 2016

MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER SAID IT IS THE AIRBAG SWITCH. I HAD TO PAY $150.00 TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AND THE 2 FRONT AIRBAGS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE TOTAL OF $2500.00. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. I SEE THERE ARE A LOT MORE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I SWITCH THE CAR ON AND REMAINS ON.

NHTSA ID
10861011
Incident
Apr 2, 2016
Mileage
46,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE TI WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,674.

NHTSA ID
10838166
Incident
Feb 18, 2016
Mileage
134,674 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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