2011 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2011 Nissan Pathfinder recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Airbags

  A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

  Details 23V067000

  Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

  Fix: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

• Engine & cooling

  IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

  Details 11V592000

  NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

  Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

2011 Nissan Pathfinder safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Airbags: VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES:…
• Exhaust and emissions: OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year.

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2011 Nissan Pathfinder safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

45 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.

Other Nissan Pathfinder years

2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024