Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2001 Nissan Pathfinder: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, most recently filed April 2011. Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V244000 Filed Apr 20, 2011

FRAME/BODY STRUCTURE CORROSION

Steering · column
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported195,991 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V244000
Listed for 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V435000 Filed Sep 18, 2007

LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · filler pipe and cap
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported372,250 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V435000
Listed for 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 01V282000 Filed Aug 30, 2001

NISSAN/REAR DOOR HATCH

Structure · body · hatchback/liftgate · hinge and attachments
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported31,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 01V282000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (230)

230 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.

18involved a crash
2involved a fire
12injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 230.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2001 compares with other Pathfinder years

Best and worst Pathfinder years →
1997199819992000200120022003200420052006
This year (2001)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined

16
mpg combined
14
city
18
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,200
CO₂ tailpipe
555 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$4,082per year
$340per month
938gallons a year

Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2001 Nissan Pathfinder configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593
3.5 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2001 Pathfinder for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Pathfinder years

Where to next

2001 Nissan Pathfinder FAQ

How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 11V244000 (steering), 07V435000 (fuel system), 01V282000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2001 Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Owners filed 230 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (68), Equipment (39), Steering (35) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder get?

EPA rates the 3.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 14 city, 18 highway and 16 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2001 Pathfinder compare with other years?

Among the 1997–2006 Nissan Pathfinder model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (67) and the 2005 the most (1,050). The 2001 drew 230. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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