2011 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1221.4%
- Engine1017.9%
- Powertrain (other)712.5%
- Suspension610.7%
- Brakes610.7%
- Electrical47.1%
- Seat belts35.4%
- Other / unspecified23.6%
- Interior & seats23.6%
- Steering23.6%
- Fuel system11.8%
- Visibility11.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO THE DEALER OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS BECAUSE OF BRAKE ISSUES. WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BUT FINALLY RESOLVED THE MAIN ISSUE. HOWEVER, NOW I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCK WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR YOU CAN ALWAYS LEAN FORWARD EVEN IF THE CAR IS STOPPED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED, THERE IS NEVER ANY TENSION IN THE SEATBELT LIKE MY OTHER CARS. PLEAS HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A TIRES WITH 9,700 MILES ON THEM . CRACKS AROUND LUGS ON TREAD.SAME ON ALL FOUR TIRES.SPEC. MODEL#P265/65R17 (110T) M+SBEEN CHECKING RECALLS BUT NOT LISTED.DOING SEARCH ON THIS MODEL,FINDING OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACT ME AT [XXX] IF PHOTOS OF CRACKS NEEDED PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC
THE VEHICLE HANDLES SMOOTHLY ON A SMOOTH SURFACE, BUT WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES GIVING YOU THE FEELING THAT YOU MIGHT LOSE CONTROL. BIG BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60-70 MPH) ARE DECIDEDLY UNCOMFORTABLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER AND A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE TECNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH ME BUT COULD FIND NO STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM MACHINE BALANCED AND ALIGNED THE VEHICLE BUT THE BEHAVIOR OF THE VEHICLE REMAINS THE SAME. THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER WENT ON LINE IN THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR ANY COMMON COMPLAINTS AND CONCLUDED THAT WHAT I FEEL AND SEE IS THE RESULT OF THE WAY THE VEHICLE FRAME IS MADE WHICH CAUSES THE MOVEMENT WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR DIVOT IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TO HOLD ONTO THE WHEEL WHEN I HIT A BUMP, AS IF I WAS FLYING A SMALL AIRPLANE IN ROUGH WEATHER. SURELY A VEHICLE WITHOUT ACCIDENT, WITH 26,000 MILES SHOULD NOT BEHAVE LIKE THAT. FURTHERMORE, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT A MANUFACTURER COULD PUT A PRODUCT ON THE ROAD WITH A BUILT IN HANDLING PROBLEM LIKE THAT. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS ONE ASPECT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS 2011 PATHFINDER MEETS MY NEEDS BUT THE STEERING MOVEMENT THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN I HIT A LITTLE PATCH OF ROUGH ROAD MAKE ME FARE OF LOSING CONTROL WHEN IT HAPPENS WITHOUT A WARNING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING HEAR A RATTLING NOISE WHICH SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM DASH. WHILE ADJ PASSENGER SEAT IT WANT STOP ADVANCES TOO FAR BUTTON BECOME STUCK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HOOD POPPED OPEN SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TIE THE HOOD DOWN WITH ROPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN HIT IN A PARKING LOT WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE VEHICLE HANDLES SMOOTHLY ON A SMOOTH SURFACE, BUT WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES GIVING YOU THE FEELING THAT YOU MIGHT LOSE CONTROL. BIG BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60-70 MPH) ARE DECIDEDLY UNCOMFORTABLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER AND A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE TECNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH ME BUT COULD FIND NO STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM MACHINE BALANCED AND ALIGNED THE VEHICLE BUT THE BEHAVIOR OF THE VEHICLE REMAINS THE SAME. THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER WENT ON LINE IN THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR ANY COMMON COMPLAINTS AND CONCLUDED THAT WHAT I FEEL AND SEE IS THE RESULT OF THE WAY THE VEHICLE FRAME IS MADE WHICH CAUSES THE MOVEMENT WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP OR DIVOT IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TO HOLD ONTO THE WHEEL WHEN I HIT A BUMP, AS IF I WAS FLYING A SMALL AIRPLANE IN ROUGH WEATHER. SURELY A VEHICLE WITHOUT ACCIDENT, WITH 26,000 MILES SHOULD NOT BEHAVE LIKE THAT. FURTHERMORE, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT A MANUFACTURER COULD PUT A PRODUCT ON THE ROAD WITH A BUILT IN HANDLING PROBLEM LIKE THAT. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS ONE ASPECT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS 2011 PATHFINDER MEETS MY NEEDS BUT THE STEERING MOVEMENT THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN I HIT A LITTLE PATCH OF ROUGH ROAD MAKE ME FARE OF LOSING CONTROL WHEN IT HAPPENS WITHOUT A WARNING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED LEAVING NO FUEL PRESSURE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
AN AUTODOWN FEATURE ON THE FRONT WINDOWS OF MY 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER WILL ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYFOB ARE NOT RECESSED. PRESSING THE OPEN BUTTON ON THE REMOTE FOR MORE THAN THREE SECONDS CAUSES THE WINDOWS TO ROLL DOWN. THE BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE ARE NOT RECESSED AND CAN BECOME DEPRESSED FROM BEING IN YOUR POCKET OR BY LEANING AGAINST SOMETHING WITH THE KEYS IN YOUR POCKET. HIS CAN RESULT IN A RUINED INTERIOR OR RUINED INTERIOR ELECTRONICS OR INTERIOR CONTENTS THEFT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .