2011 Nissan Pathfinder
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 14 of 45 complaints (31%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 40 in 2010 to 45 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300–5,550 | 4,300–5,550 | 4,550–5,150 | 4,550–5,150 | 2,850–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–18 | 14–18 | 15–17 | 15–17 | 21–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–15 / 18–22 | 13–15 / 18–22 | 13–15 / 18–22 | 13–15 / 18–22 | 19–20 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–635 | 494–635 | 523–592 | 523–592 | 406–416 | |
| Complaints filed | 37 | 40 | 45 | 23 | 890 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 11 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 16 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?
Airbags & Restraints: 14 of 45 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder get?
EPA rates it 15–17 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?
EPA estimates $4,550–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 15 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | $4,550 (low) | 523 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg | 20 mpg | 16 mpg | $4,850 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S5) | 8 | 5.6L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 23V067000 · Feb 10, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers 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 AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 11V592000 · Dec 20, 2011
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.