2001 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 30%of 230 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 30% of the 230 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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“Have a 2001 Pathfinder sways from side to side from the rear at 55 miles I thought it might be the shocks but now I found that all 2001 Pathfinder do this at that speed. Why does has it not being recall. Same vehicle engine light does not turn have replaced all kinds of sensors and still light does not turn off.”
NHTSA complaint #10397505, filed 2011-04, 141,000 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“Regarding pe11004 - my left front strut tower has completely failed. There is a heavy amount of corrosion around the area, and the thin metal, once corroded, ripped like paper around the base of the tower. Handling of the vehicle became very poor, and steering became more difficult. I believe it also put stress on the brake lines, as I could feel pulsing in the brake pedal while going over bumps with the bad tower.”
NHTSA complaint #10393688, filed 2011-03, 268,000 miles“The body and frame and suspension rusted from what I read online pathfinders are known to rust away from the frame and etc. My car has been well taken care of with original paint and its rusting everywhere.”
NHTSA complaint #10786661, filed 2015-10, 89,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V244000Apr 20, 2011Nissan is recalling certain model year 1996-2004 pathfinder and model year 1997-2003 infiniti qx4 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in…Covers: Nissan Pathfinder 1996–2004, Infiniti QX4 1997–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10206391Dec 7, 2021STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10188377Feb 12, 2021STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10040905Dec 20, 2013Nissan service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. 1996-2004 pathfinder. In states where heavy concentrations of road salt are used, in the winter, the front…
- 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…
- 10192145Mar 19, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty. - A strut or shock…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 6% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 15 | 3% |
| 2013 | 29 | 3% |
| 2012 | 5 | 22% |
| 2011 | 6 | 13% |
| 2010 | 4 | 10% |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 4% |
| 2003 | 21 | 19% |
| 2002 | 43 | 28% |
| 2001 | 68 | 30% |
| 2000 | 41 | 37% |
| 1999 | 35 | 34% |
| 1998 | 47 | 32% |
| 1997 | 105 | 48% |
| 1996 | 64 | 40% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 2 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 2 | 13% |
| 1987 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
39 complaintsSteering
35 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 30, 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