2001 Nissan Pathfinder SE from North America - Comments

ERR 2 on the stereo (assuming it is a BOSE) often means that a disc is stuck in the system, or a loading tray/ gear is damaged.

I have owned 3 Pathfinders a 1995 which I still own and has become a fixture in my garage a 2001 and a recently purchased 2004 limited (nice truck). Each of the pathfinders I loved and the dealer service provided as well. If you have had crappy service and live in New England go to Middletown Nissan they have a great service department. The slow windows in the winter, well it's really cold in New England so get over it. My wife also has the same issue with her 5 Series. Now with the check engine light I've had the same issue with all my trucks and every time its always been the oxygen censors or I just didn't tighten up my gas cap all the way. (8 Clicks) I do agree 100% on the piece of tape over the engine light. The only thing I've had a major issue with has been the CD player skips like mad in the winter time till the truck gets warmed up. Which sometimes takes forever. Overall a great truck and I'll try to get used to the 2005 body style. But if it doesn't grow on me I'll just buy a 4 Runner next time.

I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder SE and I have the same problem as pretty much everyone's comments on here. The windows are slow and the Check engine light is on. I've had my pathfinder for 3 years now and haven't had a problem with it. Maybe I'll put that piece of tape up on the check engine light. Also I haven't tried the "8 clicks" thing. Hopefully that will work, if not, I'm gonna run that thing til it breaks! Oh, but the light came on a few days after I switched my tires on it. I put some 20 inch rims. Does anyone think that's why the light came on?

My 01 SE has >66K miles and just last week the service engine soon light came on - can't use the tape though - the emissions check is yearly and will auto fail if the light is on. I was told that you can disconnect the positive side of the battery for 5-6 minutes and the light will reset. Is that legit? The only other problem I had noticed was the light behind the AC switch went out ~ 6 months ago. I live in the South and bought it used - it originally came from the Northeast (US) and has been a great car. As a side note: I STILL have my '89 hard body p/u - that thing just will not quit!

I would like to share with everyone the problem that will eventually occur multiple times with the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 Bose Clarion in-dash 6-disc changer mechanism. My particular unit has been repaired 3 documented times. After some investigation, searching, and viewing the service manual for the Clarion CD changer, I found the problem with the CD changer is caused by the use of plastic gears that will either strip out or crack during normal usage of the unit. While waiting for a response from Nissan, I have filed a claim with the Better Business Bureau, listed a complaint with the NHTSA, filed a claim with the local State Attorney General's office, and posted on many forums to help spread the word.

I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE and the windows are slow in cold weather. The only thing I can do is bump it up a little at a time until it’s back up.

A couple of days ago it started running bad and the check engine light came on. I took it to Auto Zone and they said it was number one cylinder misfire, so I said "so problem, I will just changed the plugs and wires", wrong answer. That's when I learned about the ignition coils for each cylinder. I talked to a mechanic at a Nissan service center and he said they have been having problems with the coils. He also said your wasting money if you replace them all because a new one could go out at any time also. None of the local auto parts stores had one and the Nissan dealership had to order it, prepaid of course. I thought about buying a spare, but #1 cylinder is different than 2-6. I will change the plugs and only #1 cylinder coil at a price of just under $200. With the problems Nissan has with these coils, you would think they would keep some in stock at their dealerships.

I also have a 2001 Pathfinder LE. Have had it for 5 years, drives perfect till now. Slow windows has always been a problem, I cleaned the tracks with a qtip and that works. Also, for some reason had passenger window broken and replaced. Ever since then passenger window rolls better than when I bought truck new.

As per the check engine and engine coil, dealership has just told me the same thing, change all 6 coils. Went to a private mechanic, who used to work for Nissan for 10 years, he told me don't change all 6 just change 1. He has done this on other pathfinders and he owns a 2001 himself and says that low voltage on battery will cause the coils to go faster. Makes sense, I was lazy and battery was weak, didn't change it for a year. 6 months later coil problem.

My Bose CD Player says Err2 too! I read in the booklet that it may act up when it is cold or if you play cd-r/cd-rw... is there any way to get the cds out of the stereo? help!

I'm on my 3rd Pathfinder. Current one is a 2001 SE with almost 110k on it. We generally really like this truck. I have many of the issues listed by others though:

Slow windows - we cleaned the tracks and applied a light bit of silicon lube, this seems to have helped a lot. This solution does need to be repeated yearly though.

Coils - Mine got so bad I bought a check engine reset tool to keep the car running! I would pop codes sometimes twice a day. We replaced all 6 coils and this problem is mostly cured now.

High speed engine miss. I didn't see too many people list this issue. The Mass Air Flow Sensor will wear out around 100K miles and need replaceing. You'll know its going due to the power loss when getting on the highway, or if you feel the engine miss under hard acceleration. Cost to repair is $600. This seems to be a common issue with the 3.5 motor.

Transmission Control Module is another part I've researched and heard others complain about. If your transmission sometimes won't shift to the next gear, or if it seems to float between gears you might want to have your TCM check out. My SE has this issue, but I've not done anything about it yet.

To the person that said next time they'll get a 4Runner...well my last 4Runner had just as many issues!

Well, well, well... it appears that I have many of the same problems that I have read in the other posts. What really upsets me the most is this "err 2" message! I mean come on Nissan & Clarion what's with the crappy stereo systems that you have put in to these vehicles?? I was told that it is not worth getting fixed and have read on some other web sites that the problem very well could occur again. I CAN listen to the radio and cassettes, but will more than likely get it replaced with an after market CD Stereo system. But... it may not work out well as I heard that the Bose system and speakers may not be compatible to these other after market stereos. Is this true? Also, I will not be able to use the steering audio controls either. What a pain!!

Slow Windows? My '93 Infiniti G20 does the same thing, it's a Nissan quirk, get used to it, they'll always go up one way or another.

Broke Clarion/Bose player? The G20's was replaced as well, another quirk.

Service Lights always on? EVERY automobile does this, they are 9/10 times minor "suggestions" to fix. You be the judge. We must remember that these are machines, and machines break. There is no perfect car, if there was, we would all drive the same thing. All cars are expensive to maintain and fix. All cars need to be maintained and fixed. Nobody has ever owned a car, and smiled at their maintenance bill. Nobody has ever owned a car and never had it break. Yeah, most Nissan dealerships have bad/slow service. So do the Big 3, as well as Toyota, Honda, Mitsu, etc. It's what they do. The only way to avoid having problems with any car you buy, is to sell it and ride a bike. Otherwise, accept it for what it is. Sorry, but I am a Nissan Fanatic.

I own a 2001 Pathfinder SE and I'm having all the same problems listed above: slow windows, check engine light, broken CD changer and burned out a/c button light. This is the second time the CD changer broke. The first time, it was replaced under warranty. This time, I guess I'm on my own. PS - After the CD player broke the second time, I started banging my dashboard with my fist and the a/c button light came back on. Try that, for those of you with that problem.

It is amazing that each of the previous writers seems to be driving my 2001 pathfinder. Slow windows I will tolerate, but the Cd changer is broke. I Diagnosed it myself and it was the plastic gear. I need a replacement changer. Does anyone have a suggestion?

I have a 97 Pathfinder that has been an amazing car until a few weeks ago when the engine started missing, and like others on here the check engine light keeps coming on. The strange thing is that once the car warms up, it runs like a top, and only seems to have issues when started first thing in the morning. My mechanic can't seem to figure out what's causing it, but he's never mentioned the ignition coils in all of our talks. Has anyone else noticed similar issues.

For those of you looking for a solution to your Clarion CD changer issues, I have a fantastic suggestion. If you have and Ipod or are considering getting one, Crutchfield. com sells the SPEC USA Nissan/Ipod interface for the Bose/Clarion radio. For $140, you can replace your 6 disc CD changer with a much higher volume changer. I currently have about 300 CD's on my Ipod and have only used %25 of it's capacity. This interface will allow you to use your steering wheel controls to move through the tracks on your Ipod. Sound quality is superb and I can carry my entire CD collection in my pocket. You can get the interface and an Ipod for less than a replacement CD changer.