2001 Nissan Pathfinder Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 15%of 230 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 129,792miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 15% of the 230 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 129,792 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 after riding with this problem. Thanks”
NHTSA complaint #11103436, filed 2018-06, 175,000 miles“I just bought the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 1 week prior from a private seller. While driving at 30 MPH I hit a very large pot hole, common in mn. I heard a extra loud bang come from the front driver side wheel and pulled over instantly, upon exiting the vehicle I noticed the tire and wheel well were almost in contact with each other I couldn't see what had broke, being that it was a pitch black night. So I decided to drive the rest of the way home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10567893, filed 2014-03, 165,000 miles“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 out sub-frame. I wonder how many other sub-frames are rotted out on pathfinders from 1996 to 2004 which is when Nissan used this particular part. My concern is if this part fails completely what will happen??? I have restricted driving my Pathfinder until the new part is installed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11191510, filed 2019-03, 164,000 miles“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. Drove back to the house slow and park. Open the hood and I see the strut tower under neath the brake master cylinder, then I look between left side (drivers) tire the strut tower just ripped from the factory weld. My family in the car when this occur. What if this occur while on the highway at higher speeds. …”
NHTSA complaint #11348789, filed 2020-08, 106,523 miles“I purchased this vehicle used. We did not go over 40 on the test drive. The next day once we approached 55 MPH the rear of the vehicle began to violently wobble back and forth. We decided to research the issue and tons of complaints were cited about the same death wobble issue. We had done and alignment, rotated and balanced the tires and it helped slightly but the wobble is still there. It seems there is a problem with the rear bushings and /or control arms. From what I have read. Why has this not been recalled with the hundreds of complaints? …”
NHTSA complaint #10701094, filed 2015-03, 209,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 8% |
| 2017 | 8 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 13 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 2 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 13% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 41 | 5% |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 14 | 13% |
| 2002 | 17 | 11% |
| 2001 | 35 | 15% |
| 2000 | 27 | 24% |
| 1999 | 20 | 19% |
| 1998 | 11 | 7% |
| 1997 | 26 | 12% |
| 1996 | 24 | 15% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 2 | 13% |
| 1988 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
68 complaintsEquipment
39 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology