VehicleVerdict

2001 Nissan Pathfinder problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 299 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Pathfinder year — the 2001 model ranks #8 of 40 Pathfinder years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 14 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (69), steering (36), and electrical system (34), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

299

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Pathfinder years?

See all Pathfinder years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension6923%
Steering3612%
Electrical System3411%
Body & Structure3211%
Fuel System3010%
Other207%
Engine186%
Brakes124%
Tires & Wheels114%
Speed Control114%
Airbags93%
Seats83%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Transmission31%
Lighting10%
Latches & Locks10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V244000SuspensionApril 20, 2011 · 195,991 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Consequence

THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

07V435000Fuel SystemSeptember 18, 2007 · 372,250 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

01V282000Body & StructureAugust 30, 2001 · 31,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BRACKETS USED TO ATTACH THE TWO GAS STRUTS TO THE REAR DOOR (HATCH) MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MADE. AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE INCREASE IN GAS PRESSURE IN THE STRUT(S) COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH BRACKETS TO BEND, RESULTING IN THE STRUTS DETACHING FROM THE BRACKET(S) WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING THE REAR DOOR.

Consequence

IF BOTH STRUTS DETACH FROM THE BRACKETS, THE DOOR WILL RAPIDLY FALL DOWN, POSSIBLY STRIKING SOMEONE AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO LEFT AND STRUCK DIVIDING WALL. NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE INCIDENT. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEATBELT. THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. TIRES WERE INTACT. DRIVER SUFFFERED MINOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 14, 2000 · crash

MY CAR WAS PARKED OUT IN THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE BY THE MAIL BOX, WHEN SOME GUY BACKED UP INTO MY CAR PUSHING IT ABOUT 4 FT BACK. DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDER, HOOD, AND WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL USED TO BE STRAIGHT NOW ITS TURNED HALF WAYS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH I ONLY WENT AROUND THE BLOCK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 4, 2014 · crash

6 CD CHANGER CD PLAYER NEVER WORKS, I HAVE TRIED TO CALL NISSAN AS I FOUND 100 OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT NO RESPONSE. THE CD SYSTEM IS BY BOSE. ONE OF THE TOP CD MAKERS IN THE WORLD. DEALERS WILL CHARGE 2000 TO FIX IT, IS IT REALLY WORTH FIXING IT FOR 2K I WOULD RATHER INSTALL OF THE MKT ONE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 13, 2008

VEHICLE ROLL OVER WHICH INVOLVED A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. *MR IT WAS THE CONSUMER'S OPINION THE VEHICLE DID NOT POSSESS SUBSTANTIAL WEIGHT WHICH WAS NECESSARY TO PREVENT ROLL OVER SITUATIONS, THE VEHICLE LACKED THE NECESSARY HEIGHT TO WIDTH RATIO AS WELL AS THE NECESSARY MASS TO MAXIMIZE THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 16, 2002 · crash

2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH GAS LEAK. CONSUMER STATES FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE ALL THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THEY WERE EXPERIENCING. *KB THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 1901

2001 Nissan Pathfinder — common questions

Is the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 299 complaints put the 2001 model at #8 of 40 Pathfinder years. It is one of the Pathfinder years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Pathfinder problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (69 complaints), steering (36 complaints), electrical system (34 complaints).

Does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Pathfinder years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pathfinder years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2013, 2007, 2014, 2008, 2015, 2001, 1997, 2017, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2022, 1998, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Pathfinder years belongs to 1986.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.