Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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. 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. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the window pulsated on the front windshield due to corrosion on the firewall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the firewall was corroded and perforated. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer also discovered that the vehicle had severe corrosion and stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The issue would need to be further escalated through Nissan. Once Nissan was contacted, the dealer was instructed to put an anti-corrosive spray on the strut housing and place a bracket on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
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* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle began to fishtail. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact was unable to locate a failure and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure occurred while driving 50 MPH or greater. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
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
Related recalls
Suspension › Front
Nissan is recalling certain model year 1996-2004 pathfinder and model year 1997-2003 Infiniti qx4 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode…
Remedy: Nissan will inspect the strut housing and repair the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. An interim notification letter was sent out in May 2011. The second notice was mailed on July 25, 2011.
Suspension complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, 30% of the model year's 230 complaints. The component named most often is front (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Nissan Pathfinder suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-244 (front, Apr 20, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Pathfinder suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 134,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.