The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the door open warning light was illuminated. In addition, the vehicle dome light remained on. The contact stated when opening the rear door hatch there was an abnormal noise present. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 01V282000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where she was informed that the remedy parts were no longer available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The worst 2001 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension68
- Steering35
- Body30
- Fuel system28
- Engine17
- Acceleration11
- Brakes11
- Airbags9
- Seats8
- Tires8
- Electrical7
- Transmission3
- Visibility3
- Wheels3
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
Ball joint 10Check engine light 10Fuel leak 9Tire blowout 6ABS 5Fuel smell 5
Recalls 3
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 11V244000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 07V435000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 01V282000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
Defect investigations
Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the federal safety agency that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.
PE11004
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 90
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Window glass warranty information
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (DRIFT) and/or steering wheel off-center
- 12 volt battery testing for in-service vehicles service information
- Silicone-based lubricant or grease CAN damage electrical components service information
- Intelligent key replacement or swapping between vehicles
- Wheel bearing collision damage
- Strut and shock absorber replacement guidelines
2001 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 16 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | RWD | 14-15 | 18 | 16 |
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 17 | 15 |
What 2001 Nissan Pathfinder owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact was attempting to use her brakes to slow for traffic and was unable to stop. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to get the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that prior to the failure her ABS warning had been illuminated for a long period of time prior to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to a significant amount of rust, the front suspension and struts and brake pads, and rotors had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering and Suspension). The work had been previously completed by a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.
Rear mount of front passenger control arm cracked where mounts to frame. Very little metal left where bolts hold bracket to body.
Family car;2001 nissan pathfinder, we got in the truck and drove about 250 feet to the stop sign. I stop. As I started moving and suddenly I hear a pop loud sound from engine compartment and my steering got hard and difficult to steer and a grinding sound as you turn the steering. Drove back to the house slow and park. Open the hood and I see the strut tower under neath the brake master cylinder, then I look between left side (drivers) tire the strut tower just ripped from the factory weld. My family in the car when this occur. What if this occur while on the highway at higher speeds. My truck only has 106523 miles and was scheduled for a pa inspection.
In april 2019, I was driving at about 55 MPH towing a small trailer in the right most lane of a 3 lane highway. As I approached a hill, the pathfinder suddenly smelled liked something was on fire and the engine stopped running. I managed to pull off the highway and coast to a stop on the shoulder. The burning smell lasted about 5 minutes, but I could not tell where the source was at the time. I ran several diagnostic tests, including ecu codes, but did not find anything indicative of a problem of this nature. In january 2020, I attempted to start the vehicle after replacing several worn out drivetrain components (clutch, engine, radiator, engine gaskets) and found that it would not start. I found a burned out fuse to the eccs2, 10 amp circuit. I replaced the fuse and immediately noticed that there was smoke coming from underneath the dashboard even though the vehicle was not on or running at the time. Again the smoke lasted several minutes. This time I was able to see smoke coming from the computer casing of the vehicle's ecu. I disconnected the battery immediately and removed the ecu from the vehicle. I discovered a burned chip inside. After several hours of research, I was able to identify the cause and learn that this happens to many other models of nissan vehicles of similar year model. The cause is always the same - the idle air control valve seals fail, then water gets inside the electric iacv motor and when the ecu tries to compensate for the iacv failure, it overloads the electrical circuit and shorts out this particular chip. Some people have reported spending several thousand dollars to have nissan replace parts and repair their ecu as these vehicles are now out of warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan pathfinder. While driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn, the lower steering column fractured without warning. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was towed to walser nissan wayzata (612‑426‑6995, located at 15906 wayzata blvd, wayzata, mn 55391) via the after hour service. The contact left a message for the technician to diagnose the failure and provide a report. The contact went on a vacation. Overnight, the general manager of the dealer called the contact and informed him to move the vehicle from the premises before 8am the following day. The contact explained that he was out of town. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot by the dealer. Four years prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v244000 (steering, suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000. The contact is requesting a call back from a the federal safety agency supervisor or administrator.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan pathfinder. The contact's vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v244000 (structure) and repaired in 2015. While the contact's daughter was driving at a very low speed, she attempted to make a u-turn and the steering column fractured. As a result, the vehicle drove forward and ran into a curb. The driver was able to reverse the vehicle and align the vehicle against the curb, although the steering failed. The vehicle was left at the scene. Kline nissan (3090 hwy 61 n, maplewood, mn 55109, (877) 284-5230) was contacted and stated that the recall repair was already performed. The manufacturer was notified of the recurring failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that the steering shaft was fractured on the bottom of the steering column. While driving, the vehicle lost all power steering ability. The vehicle drove over a curb and was able to be stopped. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact took pictures of the failure and sent them to kline nissan (located at 3090 hwy 31 n, maplewood, mn 55109, (877) 284-5230). The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v244000 (steering, suspension) years ago. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Driver's side strut tower has rusted to the point were the truck will pass va state safety inspection. There was a recall performed by several years ago by nissan for the rust issue on both inner wheel wells and strut tower area.
The sub-frame/cradle 54400-0w00 on the passenger side is rotted out to the point that it will not pass a pa state inspection. This was found by my mechanic while he was replacing the front rotors and brakes. My mechanic has ordered a new sub frame + bolts to replace the rotted out sub-frame. I wonder how many other sub-frames are rotted out on pathfinders from 1996 to 2004 which is when nissan used this particular part. My concern is if this part fails completely what will happen??? I have restricted driving my pathfinder until the new part is installed. I think someone should look into this problem, because when it fails and it will someone will get hurt or even killed? The control arms mounted to this part which controls steering. This part plus labor will cost me about $1500.00.
Compare the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
Pathfinder vs Ford ExplorerPathfinder vs Dodge DurangoPathfinder vs Kia SorentoPathfinder vs Honda PilotPathfinder vs Toyota HighlanderPathfinder vs GMC AcadiaPathfinder vs Chevrolet TraversePathfinder vs Buick Enclave
Other model years
199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020222023202420252026
Questions about the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
Is the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Owners have filed 230 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 1.7 times a typical Pathfinder model year.
What is the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder year score?
The 2001 Nissan Pathfinder scores 47 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?
Suspension, with 68 complaints, typically around 134,000 miles. Next is steering (35).
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder have?
3 recalls, covering steering, fuel system, gasoline and structure.
What year does the Nissan Pathfinder have bad suspension?
The Nissan Pathfinder model years with the most suspension complaints are 1997 (105 complaints), 2001 (68 complaints) and 1996 (64 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder range from 15 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 14 city and 18 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history