2001 Nissan Pathfinder Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 230 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 5% of the 230 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,250 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Fuel/throttle control: I experienced a sudden unintended acceleration incident in july of 2002. I was in the process of head in parking and was moving very slowly while applying brakes the vehicle accelerated over curbing into a wall. The vehicle stopped, the engine stopped running, and air bags did not deploy. The vehicle is a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder with less than 8,000 miles on it. I have read of other incidents like this for this vehicle and am now afraid to drive it. No other incident has occured. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000472, filed 2003-01, 6,500 miles“2001 Pathfinder safety issue. This problem pertains to the spacing between the gas and brake pedal on the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. An accident occurred with our Pathfinder directly related to this problem. Because of the close spacing, the gas pedal was mistaken for the brake pedal while entering a parking lot and the driver panicked and the vehicle struck a wall. A similar problem occurred with me. While driving into a parking space, I braked but my foot was partially on the gas pedal causing the vehicle to lurch. Fortunately, I discovered the problem in time and prevented an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #746865, filed 2001-06“The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. While entering a parking space approximately 5 MPH, the contact engaged the brakes and the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into an unoccupied vehicle. The ABS warning light illuminated then immediately, the vehicle came to a stop while extensive force was applied to the brake pedal. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and to be repaired. The vehicle exhibited severe body damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10403879, filed 2011-05, 64,000 miles“2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Consumer writes to inform that while in cruise control vehicle gradually accelerated to 91 miles per hour, which was approximately 25 m.p.h above the cruise control setting the consumer stated an attempt to brake had little effect. After switching the gear in neutral and applying both feet hard on the brake, she was finally able to pull over to the shoulder and ultimately stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic informed the consumer the throttle cable flipped over the top of the butterfly valve. …”
NHTSA complaint #10377877, filed 2011-01“Sudden unintended acceleration (sua) on feb 24, 2001. After coming to a full stop with transmission in drive and remaining stopped for approximately five seconds, the engine speed suddenly went from idle to 5000-6000 RPM. Vehicle remained essentially stationary due to spinning tires on wet pavement and the immediate harder application of brakes, but a collision would have resulted had the pavement been dry. Engine continued to race for approximately five seconds. …”
NHTSA complaint #742205, filed 2001-03Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 8 | 9% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 8 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 5 | 7% |
| 2018 | 9 | 12% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 27 | 8% |
| 2014 | 26 | 5% |
| 2013 | 47 | 5% |
| 2010 | 4 | 10% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 24 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 2% |
| 2005 | 31 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
| 2000 | 9 | 8% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 16 | 11% |
| 1997 | 16 | 7% |
| 1996 | 5 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 7 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
| 1989 | 3 | 20% |
| 1987 | 3 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
68 complaintsEquipment
39 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsBrakes
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 31, 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