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2011 Nissan Pathfinder

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder are lower than the model-year median of 97.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

31 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

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 d…

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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 ODI #11575665

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower 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…

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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 ODI #11437971

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2021
EngineService BrakesSuspension

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 ODI #11437884

110,000 miles · Jan 9, 2020
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 FR…

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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 ODI #11298254

167,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019
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 …

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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 ODI #11256327

92,000 miles · Feb 14, 2019
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 ODI #11180020

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2016
Engine

I HAVE A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THIS MORNING THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A BAD TRANSMISSION WHICH I THOUGHT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY. THEY SEEMED AS SHOCKED AS I WAS. THEY QUOTED ME 7K TO FIX IT AND I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE TO GET A SECOND OPINION. AT THIS POINT THEY STARTED BEING EXTREMELY RUDE. IT IS NOW AT ANOTH…

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I HAVE A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THIS MORNING THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A BAD TRANSMISSION WHICH I THOUGHT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY. THEY SEEMED AS SHOCKED AS I WAS. THEY QUOTED ME 7K TO FIX IT AND I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO SOMEONE ELSE TO GET A SECOND OPINION. AT THIS POINT THEY STARTED BEING EXTREMELY RUDE. IT IS NOW AT ANOTHER SHOP UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO. AS I GOT HOME TONIGHT I FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME VEHICLES BY NISSAN. I'M NOT SURE WHY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ACTED LIKE IT WAS NEWS TO THEM. BUT NOW I JUST WANT IT FIXED AND HAVE A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY. I'M HOPING IT GETS RECALLED SO THAT I'M ABLE TO GET IT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #10837265

40,000 miles · Jun 28, 2014
Engine

TOOK THE TRUCK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE(6/11/14) . ON 6/14/14 THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT WHEN OFF ON 6/15/14. ON 6/18/14 WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WHEN TO ZERO. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK ON 6/20/14 TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE SAID THERE…

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TOOK THE TRUCK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE(6/11/14) . ON 6/14/14 THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHT WHEN OFF ON 6/15/14. ON 6/18/14 WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WHEN TO ZERO. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK ON 6/20/14 TO THE DEALER. THE SERVICE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG.I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IF I HAD ANY PROBLEMS. ON 6/26/14 THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PRESSURE GAUGE WHEN TO ZERO. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEORY ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606654

49,900 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Engine

CAR IS MAKING A VERY LOUD EXHAUST SOUND. MECHANIC SAID THE MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK. THIS CAR IS A 2011, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM POSSIBLE FOR THIS AGE CAR THAT IS DRIVEN BY A FEMALE 43 YEAR OLD TO HAVE SUCH ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578240

15,000 miles · May 12, 2013
EnginePower Train

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 …

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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 PROTECT ITS CITIZEN AND NOT THE FOREIGN CAR MAKER, I.E. NISSAN CORPORATION. SINCERELY, PATHFINDER OWNER *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511561

Official recalls

2

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

11V592000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Dec 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.