2011 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 16%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder, 16% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 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“Car was purchased in 2015 in august. In december, when we need to use the 4wd, it jerked the steering wheel out of my hand. My mechanic inspected the car and determined the drive ratio in the front drive was lower then from the rear (meaning that the front wheels turn at a faster rate then the rear). Contacted Nissan customer service and they advised that before they could do anything, it would have to be inspected by a Nissan dealer, which they recommended. I made an appointment and had them inspect the vehicle and they confirmed the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10836286, filed 2016-02, 81,000 miles“Dear authority, I just bought a used Nissan Pathfinder 2011 with 15000 miles a week ago. It has had problem with acceleration. I took it to a Nissan dealer and was told that the transmission and radiator were both failed. This is very dangerous on highway if this Pathfinder's engine failed and stopped working. I do not want to put my family at risk on this truck. Please take action at once as how many car owners have already been experienced same problem. It would be too late if some serious accidents happened. The us government should protect its citizen and not the foreign car maker, I.e. …”
NHTSA complaint #10511561, filed 2013-05, 15,000 miles“Stopped car and transmission, brakes, steering all quit working and car would not restart. Bolt attaching transmission cable to gear box fell off!! I was very luck where it happened. Potentially extremely dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10622665, filed 2014-08, 45,000 miles“The Vehicle will frequently and without warning lose all power while in the roadway. Last evening I was exiting the highway when I lost engine power and power steering. The dashboard lights came on and I had to coast to the nearest driveway. This has happened multiple times before, always without warning. When I have taken it to two nissan dealerships they have told me to continue driving it until it happens again because there is no code appearing. Finally it will happen enough where there will be a code and they can repair it. It always ends up being some sort of sensor. …”
NHTSA complaint #11437971, filed 2021-10Related service bulletins
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING 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…
- 10222714Sep 27, 2022CLICKING 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…
- 10199148Jun 9, 2021CLICKING 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…
- 10116292Jun 20, 2017CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10192821May 10, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission…
- 10192615Aug 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION The information in this bulletin is provided to help ensure correct diagnosis and repair of fluid leaks. All fluid leaks, when properly diagnosed, should be…
- 10192605Jul 10, 2015IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10192203Jul 2, 2013IF YOU CONFIRM: * The idle seems low or the idle is rough when the A/C compressor is on or when the A/C compressor turns on. And * No other ECM DTCs are present. ACTION: Confirm…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 27% |
| 2025 | 8 | 14% |
| 2024 | 9 | 10% |
| 2023 | 13 | 12% |
| 2022 | 17 | 12% |
| 2020 | 9 | 17% |
| 2019 | 9 | 12% |
| 2018 | 12 | 15% |
| 2017 | 34 | 18% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 77 | 24% |
| 2014 | 215 | 37% |
| 2013 | 371 | 42% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 16% |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 155 | 47% |
| 2007 | 337 | 60% |
| 2006 | 450 | 54% |
| 2005 | 585 | 56% |
| 2004 | 9 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 8% |
| 1998 | 20 | 13% |
| 1997 | 19 | 9% |
| 1996 | 12 | 8% |
| 1995 | 20 | 12% |
| 1994 | 10 | 11% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 9 | 30% |
| 1991 | 14 | 36% |
| 1990 | 13 | 34% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder
12 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSuspension
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 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