Owners have filed 59 complaints
about the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between 2010 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 31 of 33 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the Nissan Pathfinder. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 9
1.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 63
37% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Nissan Pathfinder
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
25.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
37.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
410.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1231.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
410.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
410.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
821.1%
150,000+ miles
12.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2010peak 6Jun 2025
Recalls on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
23V067000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
11V592000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Risk: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202305310,846 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Note: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the steering wheel airbag replaced. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Recall 202305217,214 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Recall 20194205,327 units in Canada
Other
Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.
Recall 2011436528 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the engine oil cooler stud (onto which the oil filter is mounted) could fail. This could cause an engine oil leak, which could illuminate the instrument panel's engine oil warning lamp. Abnormal noise and rough engine performance may also be noticed and, in the worst case, the engine could fail and stop suddenly while the vehicle is in motion. Engine failure would result in lost vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine oil cooler connector stud.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 9,000 milesAlexandria, VAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10482141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Gloucester, VA
SUSPENSION
Rear sub frame has significant rust, snapped while driving at slow speed, there was no injury but steering was affected, no harm done this time but it is a known issue, 2wd model has a recall for the same part with the same issue
NHTSA complaint #11666317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
SEAT BELTS
My airbag light and seatbelt light are on and the horn has stopped working. Frame and front suspension is making a horrible creaking sound and has been for months. Frame seems to be rotted … I’ve taken it to multiple places to have it looked at…. I’ve also seen other complaints on here of people having the same issue! This poses a huge safety risk! Definitely needs a recall for both issues!
NHTSA complaint #11665673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
My airbag light and seatbelt light are on and the horn has stopped working. Frame and front suspension is making a horrible creaking sound and has been for months. Frame seems to be rotted … I’ve taken it to multiple places to have it looked at…. I’ve also seen other complaints on here of people having the same issue! This poses a huge safety risk! Definitely needs a recall for both issues!
NHTSA complaint #11665673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
SUSPENSION
My airbag light and seatbelt light are on and the horn has stopped working. Frame and front suspension is making a horrible creaking sound and has been for months. Frame seems to be rotted … I’ve taken it to multiple places to have it looked at…. I’ve also seen other complaints on here of people having the same issue! This poses a huge safety risk! Definitely needs a recall for both issues!
NHTSA complaint #11665673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bremen, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Through a check engine light for camshaft position sensor bank 1 so I replaced both of them well that cleared the check engine light for a min and was running good the after five min of running it started rough idling cutting off and throwing a check engine light for p0340 again I sent it to the Nissan dealer shop they said it didn’t have no check light they tested the sensors and said there good and don’t know what it could be
NHTSA complaint #11575665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bremen, GA
ENGINE
Through a check engine light for camshaft position sensor bank 1 so I replaced both of them well that cleared the check engine light for a min and was running good the after five min of running it started rough idling cutting off and throwing a check engine light for p0340 again I sent it to the Nissan dealer shop they said it didn’t have no check light they tested the sensors and said there good and don’t know what it could be
NHTSA complaint #11575665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falmouth, MA
SUSPENSION
Frame is rotted from rust. Not drivable as drive train connection to wheels in rear end ready to fail at any moment. Rust is so bad it will require towing to be repaired. Repair estimate exceeds blue book value. $4800. 110,000 current mileage. Recall for this problem existed on this make/model for years 2004 to 2009. This vehicle is 2011 with no recall as yet.
NHTSA complaint #11559867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Haven, CT
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11544564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bradenton, FL
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealers: Nissan of Bradenton (1611 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton, FL 34207: (941) 755-1571) and Gettel Nissan (3530 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239: (941) 343-4855) were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11507359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake are to the floor, will not come back off the floor. I have everything replace including master cylinder at Nissan. They were unable to figure out what is causing this
NHTSA complaint #11487315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Largo, FL
POWER TRAIN
The Vehicle will frequently and without warning lose all power while in the roadway. Last evening I was exiting the highway when I lost engine power and power steering. The dashboard lights came on and I had to coast to the nearest driveway. This has happened multiple times before, always without warning. When I have taken it to two nissan dealerships they have told me to continue driving it until it happens again because there is no code appearing. Finally it will happen enough where there will be a code and they can repair it. It always ends up being some sort of sensor. This has been going on for approximately 4-5 years.
NHTSA complaint #11437971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Largo, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Vehicle will frequently and without warning lose all power while in the roadway. Last evening I was exiting the highway when I lost engine power and power steering. The dashboard lights came on and I had to coast to the nearest driveway. This has happened multiple times before, always without warning. When I have taken it to two nissan dealerships they have told me to continue driving it until it happens again because there is no code appearing. Finally it will happen enough where there will be a code and they can repair it. It always ends up being some sort of sensor. This has been going on for approximately 4-5 years.
NHTSA complaint #11437971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Largo, FL
ENGINE
The Vehicle will frequently and without warning lose all power while in the roadway. Last evening I was exiting the highway when I lost engine power and power steering. The dashboard lights came on and I had to coast to the nearest driveway. This has happened multiple times before, always without warning. When I have taken it to two nissan dealerships they have told me to continue driving it until it happens again because there is no code appearing. Finally it will happen enough where there will be a code and they can repair it. It always ends up being some sort of sensor. This has been going on for approximately 4-5 years.
NHTSA complaint #11437971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Falls, RI
SUSPENSION
When I applied the brakes, a slippage and rubbing noise occurs. Moments later, I could brake. No engine lights are visible on the dashboard. This has occurred several times.
NHTSA complaint #11437884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Falls, RI
ENGINE
When I applied the brakes, a slippage and rubbing noise occurs. Moments later, I could brake. No engine lights are visible on the dashboard. This has occurred several times.
NHTSA complaint #11437884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Falls, RI
SERVICE BRAKES
When I applied the brakes, a slippage and rubbing noise occurs. Moments later, I could brake. No engine lights are visible on the dashboard. This has occurred several times.
NHTSA complaint #11437884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesElpaso, TX
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE OIL FILTER FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED THE OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11298254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesVineland, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30MPH WHEN I CAME TO MAKE A STOP MY BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH UNTIL E BRAKE BROUGHT ME TO A STOP. MECHANIC CHECKED AND COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK TO DO IT AGAIN. BRAKES AND ROTORS AND BRAKE FLUID ARE ALL IN TACT .
NHTSA complaint #11297566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesAxis, AL
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11256327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesMilton, FL
AIR BAGS
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11194239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesMilton, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11194239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,716 milesLacey, WA
AIR BAGS
AIR BLAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT 107,716 MILES ON VEHICLE. TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP AND GIVEN AN ERROR CODE WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG AND SPIRAL CABLE. WAS GIVEN A QUOTE OF $1300+ TO FIX. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS WHICH HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. IT WOULD NOT OCCUR UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR CONDITIONS. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, YET THERE ARE NO RECALLS. NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE!!
NHTSA complaint #11184851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBeltsville, MD
ENGINE
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF AND ON. TOOK IT TO VARIOUS MECHANICS AND ALL SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. NOTICED THE LIGHT GOES OFF IN CERTAIN WEATHER, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. SINCE MECHANICS SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG, I CAN'T SAY HOW IT AFFECTS THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR 2 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #11180020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK. HAVE TO PUT WINDOW DOWN AND UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE
NHTSA complaint #11142214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,500 milesCharleston, AR
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT OFF COMES ON AT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11123940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.