Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact was attempting to use her brakes to slow for traffic and was unable to stop. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to get the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that prior to the failure her ABS warning had been illuminated for a long period of time prior to the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that due to a significant amount of rust, the front suspension and struts and brake pads, and rotors had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering and Suspension). The work had been previously completed by a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn, the lower steering column fractured without warning. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was towed to walser Nissan wayzata [phone], located at 15906 wayzata blvd, wayzata, mn 55391) via the after hour service. The contact left a message for the technician to diagnose the failure and provide a report. The contact went on a vacation. Overnight, the general manager of the dealer called the contact and informed him to move the vehicle from the premises before 8 am the following day. The contact explained that he was out of town. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot by the dealer. Four years prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise when the steering wheel was turned, which progressed randomly after the dealer replaced the strut towers. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic due to the steering wheel seizing and making an abnormal noise. The contact was informed that there was a manufacturer recall and to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). One dealer indicated that there was too much rust and corrosion to complete the repair. The manufacturer sent an independent source who indicated that the vehicle needed to be repaired. The manufacturer indicated that the contact would need to have the vehicle towed to another dealer to receive the recall repair. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the steering shaft was fractured on the bottom of the steering column. While driving, the vehicle lost all power steering ability. The vehicle drove over a curb and was able to be stopped. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact took pictures of the failure and sent them to kline Nissan (located at 3090 hwy 31 n, maplewood, mn 55109, [phone]). The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension) years ago. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
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. I think someone should look into this problem, because when it fails and it will someone will get hurt or even killed? The control arms mounted to this part which controls steering. This part plus labor will cost me about $1500.00.
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. My truck only has 106523 miles and was scheduled for a pa inspection.
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? We have not priced it out but seems to be a costly fix.
Tl* the contact's son owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 30 MPH, the driver noticed a creaking sound on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side strut assembly failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle had previously been serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 11V244000 (steering, suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Vehicle was stopped, waiting to make right hand turn; attempting to turn resulted in the steering wheel spinning freely; vehicle had to be towed; initial inspection revealed steering column shaft snapped in half; upon further inspection the drivers side front strut tower had ripped away from the body of the truck; **this vehicle had recalls issued in the past, it was taken to leckner Nissan in stafford, va but they obviously did not mitigate the problem - they simply cleared the recall from the computer**
Tl driver owned a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The driver was involved in a crash in which the vehicle lost control and veered off the road. The contact was not involved so the exact details of the failure were unavailable. The driver died as a result of the crash. The police appeared on the scene. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an insurance lot but they have not diagnosed the failure. The failure and current mileages were 107,000.
NHTSA investigations
Frame/Body Structure Corrosion
In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states…
Steering complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 15% of the model year's 230 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Pathfinder steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.