What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?

Air bags lead with 12 complaints, followed by the engine with 10 and the power train with 7.

Does the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists 2 recalls for this model year. Details are in the Recalls section of this page.

Is the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file. Only 1 mentions a fire and none mention a crash, injury or death. See the problem groups above for where the complaints concentrate.

What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?

See the Fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is 2011 the best year for the Nissan Pathfinder?

See the by-year comparison on this page, which lines up complaints and recalls for each model year.

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder^[1]. Air bags are the biggest group, with 12 complaints^[2].

45owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[3]

15–17MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is how the owner complaints on file split up, biggest group first.

Air Bags. 12 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a warning light that flashes or stays on, sometimes right after a dealer visit. Some say the light came back after a repair, and one owner describes a bill for new front air bags.
Engine. 10 complaints^[5]. Owners describe stalling while driving, a lit check engine light that comes and goes, an oil warning with a pressure gauge dropping, and a loud exhaust from a cracked part.
Power Train. 7 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe a car that does not respond when they press the pedal, loose bolts in the driveline, and a jerk through the steering wheel when the four wheel drive engaged.
Brakes. 6 complaints^[7]. These are reports about braking behavior, and the group is smaller than the ones above.
Suspension. 6 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a shaking steering wheel over bumps, a car that wanders in its lane, and heavy rust on the frame or rear support that left one car unsafe to drive.
Electrical System. 4 complaints^[9]. A small group of electrical reports.
Seat Belts. 3 complaints^[10]. A very small group.
Unknown Or Other. 3 complaints^[11]. These did not fit a clear component group.

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part. Recalls also exist for this model year, and you can see them in the Recalls section below^[3].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Pathfinder is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal (23V067), February 2023. About 404,690 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[12]
Engine And Engine Cooling (11V592), December 2011. About 14,718 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Pathfinder 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	15 / 22 / 17	$4,850
Pathfinder 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive^[14]	14 / 20 / 16	$5,150
Pathfinder 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive^[15]	13 / 18 / 15	$5,500

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV 4WD^[16]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	22.8%
SUV RWD^[17]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	23.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2011 Nissan Pathfinder with 4.0L 6-cylinder^[18]	266 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD LE V6^[19]	192 in	73 in	72 in	112 in	4,945 lb
PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD S V6^[20]	192 in	73 in	72 in	112 in	4,700 lb
PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD SVV6^[21]	192 in	73 in	72 in	112 in	4,846 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pathfinder model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	170	0
1996	159	3
1997	217	2
1998	149	2
1999	104	2
2000	112	2
2001	230	3
2002	156	5
2003	110	3
2004	67	3
2005	1,050	2
2006	837	3
2007	561	1
2008	328	4
2009	37	3
2010	40	4
2011	45	2
2012	23	2
2013	890	11
2014	585	12
2015	321	6
2016	107	2
2017	186	2
2018	78	3
2019	76	2
2020	48	0
2022	136	5
2023	107	1
2024	86	2
2025	55	1
2026	12	0

NHTSA's counts for the Pathfinder show 45 complaints and 2 recalls for 2011^[3]. Among the 31 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 26 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (12) and the most are for 2005 (1,050)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 Pathfinder?

The 2011 Pathfinder has a modest complaint record, with 45 complaints on file^[1]. Air bag warning lights, engine trouble and power train problems lead the list^[2]^[5]^[6]. Only 1 complaint mentions a fire, and none mention a crash, an injury or a death^[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records and have a mechanic check the air bag system, the driveline and the frame for rust.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?: Air bags lead with 12 complaints^[2], followed by the engine with 10^[5] and the power train with 7^[6].
Does the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists 2 recalls for this model year^[3]. Details are in the Recalls section of this page.
Is the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?: NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file^[1]. Only 1 mentions a fire and none mention a crash, injury or death^[1]. See the problem groups above for where the complaints concentrate.
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?: See the Fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is 2011 the best year for the Nissan Pathfinder?: See the by-year comparison on this page, which lines up complaints and recalls for each model year^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

2005 1,050 complaints, 2 recalls
2006 837 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 this page
2012 23 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 890 complaints, 11 recalls
2014 585 complaints, 12 recalls
2015 321 complaints, 6 recalls
2016 107 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 186 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 78 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 76 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 48 complaints, 0 recalls
2022 136 complaints, 5 recalls
2023 107 complaints, 1 recall
2024 86 complaints, 2 recalls
2025 55 complaints, 1 recall
2026 12 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Pathfinder

Other Nissan models from 2011

2011 Nissan Maxima 106 complaints, 0 recalls
2011 Nissan Murano 148 complaints, 0 recalls
2011 Nissan Titan 26 complaints, 1 recall
2011 Nissan Versa 269 complaints, 6 recalls
2011 Nissan Xterra 24 complaints, 2 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2011: suvs

2011 Ford Escape 1,355 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 Ford Flex 144 complaints, 2 recalls
2011 GMC Acadia 269 complaints, 5 recalls
2011 GMC Terrain 386 complaints, 4 recalls
2011 Honda Element 11 complaints, 10 recalls
2011 Honda Pilot 293 complaints, 11 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder (0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,200). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Pathfinder model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Pathfinder 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
10 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,950). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V067, filed February 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V592, filed December 19, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Pathfinder 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 23.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2011 Nissan Pathfinder with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 266 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD LE V6: length 192 in, width 73 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,945 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD S V6: length 192 in, width 73 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,700 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PATHFINDER 4DR SUV 4WD SVV6: length 192 in, width 73 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 4,846 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and fuel economy