What are the most common problems on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?

NHTSA has 45 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, cited in 12 of 45 filed complaints (27%).

Problems › Nissan › 2011 Pathfinder

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Problems & Owner Complaints

45 NHTSA owner complaints

1 fire

Age-normalised, this year draws ~2.8 complaints per year on the road — ranking 11 of 13 Nissan Pathfinder years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

Thinking about buying a specific Nissan Pathfinder?

This page shows problems reported across all 2011 Nissan Pathfinders. Before you buy that one car, enter its VIN: get a free open-recall check, then unlock the full $19 safety report: every complaint, safety ratings & a downloadable PDF for that exact vehicle.

Checking a specific 2011 Nissan Pathfinder? Enter its VIN

Free recall check · optional $19 full safety report before you buy

What owners report

Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, cited in 12 of 45 filed complaints (27%).

Engine is next (10 complaints, 22%), followed by Power Train (7), Service Brakes (6), Suspension (6).

Across all complaints, 1 report a fire.

The most safety-critical cluster is Unknown Or Other: 1 fire report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 45.

Air Bags 12

“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, 2023

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11507359, 2023

“MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING.”
NHTSA complaint #11194239, 2019

Engine 10

“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, 2024

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11437971, 2021

“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, 2021

Power Train 7

“MY VEHICLE IS TO THE POINT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. SOMETHING IN STEERING MECHANISM, IDK BUT WHEN DRIVING ANY DIFFERENTIAL IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE IS ALL OVER THE ROAD.. I AM A SINGLE PERSON WITH GRANDCHILDREN AND THIS IS NOT SAFE. IT IS SO BAD IT WALKS INTO ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. THIS STARTED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND I TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.”
NHTSA complaint #10892705, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE TI WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,674.”
NHTSA complaint #10838166, 2016

Service Brakes 6

“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, 2022

“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, 2020

Suspension 6

“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, 2025

“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, 2023

Electrical System 4

“DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK. HAVE TO PUT WINDOW DOWN AND UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE”
NHTSA complaint #11142214, 2018

Before you buy this car, see its exact open recalls + full $19 report Enter the VIN of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder you're looking at, free recall check first

Seat Belts 3

“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, 2018

“I HAVE TAKEN MY 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER TO THE DEALER OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS BECAUSE OF BRAKE ISSUES. WAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BUT FINALLY RESOLVED THE MAIN ISSUE. HOWEVER, NOW I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCK WHEN RIDING IN THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR YOU CAN ALWAYS LEAN FORWARD EVEN IF THE CAR IS STOPPED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED, THERE IS NEVER ANY TENSION IN THE SEATBELT LIKE MY OTHER CARS. PLEAS HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS! *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10523527, 2013

“THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER SEAT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR BOLT NEAR THE DOOR FRAME PULLED LOOSE. THE ENTIRE BOLT PULLED FREE OF THREADED MOUNTING HOLE. IT WILL NOT THREAD BACK INTO HOLE CLEANLY. &TR”
NHTSA complaint #10446156, 2012

Unknown Or Other 3 1 fire

“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. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10482141, 2012 · fire

“MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING AND MY HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING.”
NHTSA complaint #11194239, 2019

Steering 2

“THE VEHICLE HANDLES SMOOTHLY ON A SMOOTH SURFACE, BUT WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES GIVING YOU THE FEELING THAT YOU MIGHT LOSE CONTROL. BIG BUMPS IN THE ROAD AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60-70 MPH) ARE DECIDEDLY UNCOMFORTABLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER AND A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE TECNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH ME BUT COULD FIND NO STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM MACHINE BALANCED AND ALIGNED THE VEHICLE BUT THE BEHAVIOR OF THE VEHICLE REMAINS THE SAME. THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER WENT ON LINE IN THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR ANY COMMON COM…”
NHTSA complaint #10641336, 2014

Wheels 2

“BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONG TRAIL T/A TIRES WITH 9,700 MILES ON THEM . CRACKS AROUND LUGS ON TREAD.SAME ON ALL FOUR TIRES.SPEC. MODEL#P265/65R17 (110T) M+SBEEN CHECKING RECALLS BUT NOT LISTED.DOING SEARCH ON THIS MODEL,FINDING OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACT ME AT [XXX] IF PHOTOS OF CRACKS NEEDED PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*CC”
NHTSA complaint #10791452, 2015

Fuel System 1

“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED LEAVING NO FUEL PRESSURE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10575717, 2014

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HOOD POPPED OPEN SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TIE THE HOOD DOWN WITH ROPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN HIT IN A PARKING LOT WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.”
NHTSA complaint #10371044, 2010

Seats 1

“WHILE DRIVING HEAR A RATTLING NOISE WHICH SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM DASH. WHILE ADJ PASSENGER SEAT IT WANT STOP ADVANCES TOO FAR BUTTON BECOME STUCK. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10552206, 2012

Visibility 1

“AN AUTODOWN FEATURE ON THE FRONT WINDOWS OF MY 2011 NISSAN PATHFINDER WILL ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN BECAUSE THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYFOB ARE NOT RECESSED. PRESSING THE OPEN BUTTON ON THE REMOTE FOR MORE THAN THREE SECONDS CAUSES THE WINDOWS TO ROLL DOWN. THE BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE ARE NOT RECESSED AND CAN BECOME DEPRESSED FROM BEING IN YOUR POCKET OR BY LEANING AGAINST SOMETHING WITH THE KEYS IN YOUR POCKET. HIS CAN RESULT IN A RUINED INTERIOR OR RUINED INTERIOR ELECTRONICS OR INTERIOR CONTENTS THEFT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10372371, 2010

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder draws about 2.8 complaints per year on the road, ranking 11 of 13 among the Nissan Pathfinder model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

Before you buy this Nissan Pathfinder

Don't buy on the strength of a problems page alone. Check the exact VIN of the car you're looking at. The open recalls are free, and the full $19 safety report pulls every complaint, safety rating and a downloadable PDF for that one vehicle.

Free open-recall check Decode the VIN + see every open NHTSA recall, no account, no charge Get the $19 full safety report All complaints, safety ratings & a downloadable PDF for this exact car

Open recalls for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder Free VIN & recall check All vehicle problem pages

Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.