RoadVitals

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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

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.

12
reports

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!

NHTSA ID 11665673 · filed Jun 9, 2025

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 · filed Sep 14, 2023
All 12 reports naming airbags

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

10
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11575665 · filed Mar 5, 2024

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 · filed Oct 24, 2021
All 10 reports naming engine

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

7
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11437971 · filed Oct 24, 2021

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 · filed Aug 3, 2016

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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11666317 · filed Jun 11, 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 · filed Jun 9, 2025

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.

6
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11487315 · filed Sep 30, 2022

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 · filed Oct 23, 2021

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.

4
reports

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

NHTSA ID 11575665 · filed Mar 5, 2024

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 · filed Oct 24, 2021

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.

3
reports

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!

NHTSA ID 11665673 · filed Jun 9, 2025

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

NHTSA ID 10523527 · filed Jul 7, 2013

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10791452 · filed Nov 16, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10641336 · filed Oct 3, 2014

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10552206 · filed Nov 14, 2013

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.

NHTSA ID 10371044 · filed Dec 17, 2010

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.

2
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10892705 · filed Aug 3, 2016

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

NHTSA ID 10641336 · filed Oct 3, 2014

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10575717 · filed Mar 30, 2014

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 10372371 · filed Dec 25, 2010

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

Data on this page last refreshed .