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U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Nissan PATHFINDER: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

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.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior715.6%
Steering behavior613.3%
Transmission and shifting48.9%
Engine operation12.2%
Electrical and battery issues12.2%
Fuel system concerns12.2%

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.

Air Bags
12
Engine
10
Power Train
7
Suspension
6
Service Brakes
5
Electrical System
4
Seat Belts
3
Unknown Or Other
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags12
Engine10
Power Train7
Suspension6
Service Brakes5
Electrical System4
Seat Belts3
Unknown Or Other3

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0008
25,000 to 49,9999
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9997
150,000 and above1

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.

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
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20102
20111
20123
20134
20146
20152
20167
20171
20184
20194
20202
20212
20221
20233
20241
20252

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10371044 · 2010-12-17 (December 17, 2010)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10371044 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10372371 · 2010-12-25 (December 25, 2010)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10372371 at NHTSA ↗

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 10446156 · 2012-02-01 (February 1, 2012)

THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER SEAT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR BOLT NEAR THE DOOR FRAME PULLED LOOSE. THE ENTIRE BOLT PULLED FREE OF THREADED MOUNTING HOLE. IT WILL NOT THREAD BACK INTO HOLE CLEANLY. &TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10446156 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10452719 · 2012-03-22 (March 22, 2012)

I HAVE A PICTURE, BUT IT'S A RENTAL CAR FROM ENTERPRISE RENTAL IN NEW HAVEN CT AND THE DRIVE SHAFT 4 MOUNTING BOLTS FELL OFF AND THE DRIVE SHAFT DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRONT TRANSFER CASE. HAD IT DROP ON THE ROAD THERE COULD OF BEEN A DISASTER. I CAN GET THE VIN POSSIBLE TOMORROW . THE CAR IS AT A GARAGE FOR REPAIR. [phone removed] 1390 WHALLEY AVE, NEW HAVEN, CT 06515-1132. BBB NON- ACCREDITED D RATING D ... THIS COMPANY OFFERS AUTO REPAIRS, FULL SERVICE GASOLINE, USED CAR SALES AND TOWING SERVICE. ALTERNATE BUSINESS NAMES. MCGILL'S GA…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10452719 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10482141 · 2012-10-24 (October 24, 2012)

WE WERE WOKEN UP BY LOAD POPPING SOUNDS COMING FROM OUTSIDE OUR RESIDENCE AT APPROXIMATELY 130 AM. WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW I SAW THAT OUR 8 MONTH OLD 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE WAS ON FIRE IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THIS FIRE WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE ENTIRE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH 15-20 FT HIGH FLAMES. WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR IN 2 DAYS AND THERE HAD BEEN ZERO AFTER MARKET MODIFICATIONS OR MAJOR MECHANICAL DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR INVOLVED IN THE FIR…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482141 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 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 ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

11V592000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Reported: 2011-12-19 (December 19, 2011)

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

Consequence: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V067000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2023-02-10 (February 10, 2023)

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

NHTSA campaign record ↗