2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. This model year has 239 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Suspension Failures.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2001 Nissan Pathfinder Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Equipment
Steering Defects
Considering a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 68 | 2 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 45 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 35 | 2 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 30 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 7 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 10 | 3 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 239 most recent complaints
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 failu…
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 …
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…
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 S…
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 …
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 WARNIN…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA 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. …
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 …
THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE WHEEL WELL, DOOR JAMS, FLOOR BOARD, AND FRAME. I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN THE NORTH THEN MOVED SOUTH AND THE PROBLEM HAS G…
DRIVER SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER MADE A LOUD "POP" SOUND WHEN DRIVING. BOTTOM PORTION OF STRUT TOP CRACKED THROUGH. STRUT TOWER BEARING NOW MOANING WHEN TURNING, OUT OF GIMBLE.
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, WAITING TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURN; ATTEMPTING TO TURN RESULTED IN THE STEERING WHEEL SPINNING FREELY; VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED; INITIAL INSPECTION REVEALED STEERING COLUMN SHAFT SNAPPED IN HALF; UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER HAD RIPP…
FUEL LEAK DUE TO CORRODED FUEL FILLER NECK. NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL DUE TO THIS ISSUE DUE TO ROAD SALT CAUSING CORROSION. NTB07-078 LISTS THE RANGE OF 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDERS AS JN8(*)R0(***)1W 500001 ' 617275. MY VIN #[XXX] AND THUS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. WHEN I C…
THE 01 THRU 04 PATHFINDER HAS SOME KIND OF REAR SUSPENSION FLAW. THE ONLINE FORUMS CALL IT A DEATH SWAY AND I AGREE. IT IS BEYOND ME WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. IF YOU HAVE SOMETIME I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOU ON A RIDE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOMETHING WOULD GET DONE AFT…
"FRONT STRUT TOWER CORROSION AND RUST" - WHILE PARKED, I CHECKED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA AND NOTICED CORROSION AND RUST. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE STRUT TOWER ITSELF. THIS CRACK BEGINS IN THE AREA THAT NISSAN ALLEGEDLY "FIXED" AN…
1. FEET HOLDER IS BROKEN . 2. STEERING IS LOSE THAT'S WHY SOMETIMES CAR DOESN'T START UNTIL YOU TRY TO MOVE THE GEAR OF STEERING . 3. PRESSING GAS PADDLE MAKE TOO MUCH NOISE AND VERY SLOW PICK UP .
PRESSING GAS MAKING TOO MUCH NOICE
BASE RUSTED AND VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE I WAS DRIVING MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE FENDER POPPED LOOSE THE STEERING COLUMN CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND COULDN'T TURN ANYMORE, LUCKILY IT WAS JUST A TURN DOWN THE STREET OF MY HOUSE. PLEASE HELP
THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME BY AN INDIVIDUAL AND IT HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO PASS EMISSIONS. HAD THE DEATH WOBBLE WHEN I FIRST GOT IT. I'M EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS LEMON I WAS. SOLD. I'M A BREAST CANCER PATIENT AND LIMITED ON INCOME…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder.
Recalls for 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
7 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2001 Nissan Pathfinder — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2001 Nissan Pathfinder has 239 NHTSA owner complaints, 19 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Suspension Failures (68 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?▾
#1: Suspension Failures (68 complaints). #2: Equipment (45 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (35 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?▾
The 2001 Nissan Pathfinder has 19 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 239 total NHTSA complaints. 14 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?▾
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The largest issue: STEERING:COLUMN. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?▾
The 2001 Nissan Pathfinder has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Suspension Failures issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Pathfinder reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.