2001 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
230 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
99,783 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 142 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 230 complaints (17.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 39 | 17.0% |
| Braking behavior | 31 | 13.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 41 |
| Steering | 34 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 26 |
| Suspension:Front | 19 |
| Structure:Body | 17 |
| Equipment | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 |
Suspension: 41; Steering: 34; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 26; Suspension:Front: 19; Structure:Body: 17; Equipment: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 25 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 34 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 34
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 88 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 13; 2002: 10; 2003: 6; 2004: 14; 2005: 7; 2006: 15; 2007: 18; 2008: 24; 2009: 8; 2010: 12; 2011: 29; 2012: 8; 2013: 8; 2014: 14; 2015: 9; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 8; 2019: 6; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023229 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
IN LATE MAY OF 2003, THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY NISSAN PATHFINDER STOPPED WORKING AS FAR AS THE AUTOMATIC SEAT ADJUSTMENTS. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD OR REVERSE USING THE SEAT'S AUTOMATIC SWITCH. THUS BEING STUCK IN A POSITION NOT EXACTLY THE WAY I WOULD NEED TO DRIVE. I CAN NOT MOVE THIS SEAT TO A PROPER AND SAFE AREA SO THAT I CAN OPERATE THE VEHICLE AS PRESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. AS WITH ANY VEHICLE, THE SEAT SHOULD BE POSITIONED RELATIVE TO THE DRIVER'S ABILITY. I HAVE TO DRIVE CLOSER TO THE STEERING WHEEL THAT I WOUL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110085 · 2005-02-08 (February 8, 2005)
I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 SE. FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS NOW I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE HANDLING OF THIS TRUCK. THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE EXTREMELY HARD BETWEEN 55 - 65 MPH. THE SHAKING IS SO BAD IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE STEERING BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES JUST AS MUCH. I HAVE SEEN THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. THEY TOLD ME IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE ALIGNMENT OR THE BALANCING OF THE WHEELS AND I PAYED TO GET THA…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110085 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000472 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
FUEL/THROTTLE CONTROL: I EXPERIENCED A "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" INCIDENT IN JULY OF 2002. I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HEAD IN PARKING AND WAS MOVING VERY SLOWLY WHILE APPLYING BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OVER CURBING INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ OF OTHER INCIDENTS LIKE THIS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. NO OTHER INCIDENT HAS OCCURED. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS SITUATION BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038886 · 2003-09-14 (September 14, 2003)
PREMATURE WEAR AND WARPAGE OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE 34,000 MILES AND HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS MACHINED 2 TIMES. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 11,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204305 · 2007-09-27 (September 27, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASEOUS ODOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SHE LOOKED UNDER HER VEHICLE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY LEAKS. SHE THEN DROVE TO WORK AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR MOST OF THE DAY. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO HER VEHICLE HOURS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK BENEATH HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVED. NISSAN STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V435000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10220650 · 2008-03-10 (March 10, 2008)
2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER FUEL LINE LEAK. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYING TO HAVE THE REPAIR FOR THE FUEL LEAK. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL AND WOULD LIKE TO BE PAID BACK. *KB RECALL # 07V435000.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10220650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100869 · 2004-12-01 (December 1, 2004)
MY 2001 PATHFINDER HAS HAD SOME MAJOR TROUBLES WITH STARTING. I HAVE HAD TO WAIT FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN A HALF OF AN HOUR TO GET IT STARTED AND I ALSO HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK, (I WAS OUT OF TOWN), AND WAIT FOR THREE HOURS BEFORE I RECEIVED A JUMP START, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS FULL. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE 2001 PATHFINDER HAS BEEN RECALLED IN ASIA FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS IN THE STATES? S I HAVE HAD THE SAME INCIDENT OCCUR THREE TIMES I AM UNSURE ABOUT EXACT …
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193333 · 2007-06-14 (June 14, 2007)
CLARION/ BOSE STEREO ERR2 ON CD PLAYER , 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER CD PLAYER DOES NOT WORK & HOUSES CD'S INTERNAL. CD'S WILL NOT EJECT . SAFETY CONCERN AS PEOPLE TRY TO FREE CD'S MAY GET ELECTRICAL SHOCK..MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RECALL ITEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100375 · 2004-11-23 (November 23, 2004)
I OWN A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. I AM EXPERIENCING DELAYED, NOISY AND HARD ENGAGEMENT WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED A WAVERING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN MY WIFE TOOK INTO THE DEALER THEY TOLD HER THIS IS NORMAL FOR A PATHFINDER . THE DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS OCCUR ROUTINELY SO A PRECISE INCIDENT DATE IS NOT APPLICABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415067 · 2011-07-25 (July 25, 2011)
THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR WHEN ACCELERATION IS NEEDED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. AFTER TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE WILL GO INTO THE LOWER GEAR. BUT THIS PRESENTS A HORRIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED. AFTER PRESENTING DEALER WITH SAFETY BULLETIN, DEALER SAID THIS IS NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. TRANSMISSION NOW HAS PROBLEMS SIMPLY SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40-50 MPH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101764 · 2004-11-29 (November 29, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STARTING VEHICLE AND INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED OF 0-35 MPH. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 49,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101764 at NHTSA ↗