2011 Nissan Pathfinder Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 13%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,289miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the suspension of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, 13% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,289 miles.
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.
“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, filed 2016-08, 62,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10641336, filed 2014-10, 26,578 miles“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, filed 2025-06“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, filed 2021-10“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, filed 2023-12Related 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.
- 10171221Jan 17, 2020CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10109211Mar 7, 2017BALL JOINT AXIAL END PLAY PROCEDURE SERVICE INFORMATION When working on the front suspension, use the updated service information in this bulletin along with the Electronic…
- 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…
- 10192178May 14, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer would like to activate a subscription for any of the following services: - SiriusXM Satellite Radio, NavTraffic, NavWeather, Travel Link Weather…
- 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 2011 Nissan Pathfinder
12 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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