2011 Nissan PATHFINDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
45 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
46,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 45 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 15.6% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 8.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
Air Bags: 12; Engine: 10; Power Train: 7; Suspension: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Electrical System: 4; Seat Belts: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 6; 2015: 2; 2016: 7; 2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 10395492 · 2011-04-11 (April 11, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD BUT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE AS SHE CRASHED INTO A STOP SIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT DID NOT DISPLAY ANY RESULTS OF A MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS ATTEMPTING TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10523527 · 2013-07-07 (July 7, 2013)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10622665 · 2014-08-12 (August 12, 2014)
STOPPED CAR AND TRANSMISSION, BRAKES, STEERING ALL QUIT WORKING AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. BOLT ATTACHING TRANSMISSION CABLE TO GEAR BOX FELL OFF!! I WAS VERY LUCK WHERE IT HAPPENED. POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10622665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10641336 · 2014-10-03 (October 3, 2014)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,578 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10511561 · 2013-05-12 (May 12, 2013)
DEAR AUTHORITY, I JUST BOUGHT A USED NISSAN PATHFINDER 2011 WITH 15000 MILES A WEEK AGO. IT HAS HAD PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WERE BOTH FAILED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAY IF THIS PATHFINDER'S ENGINE FAILED AND STOPPED WORKING. I DO NOT WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK ON THIS TRUCK. PLEASE TAKE ACTION AT ONCE AS HOW MANY CAR OWNERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE TOO LATE IF SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS HAPPENED. THE US GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROT…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11256327 · 2019-09-18 (September 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 167,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10575717 · 2014-03-30 (March 30, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED LEAVING NO FUEL PRESSURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,857 miles reported. Look up ODI 10575717 at NHTSA ↗