2001 Nissan Pathfinder SE from North America - Comments

Wow, I'm so glad I decided to check on-line to see if my problem could be solved easily. I'm depressed after reading all of these posts. I will say, however, that this is my third Pathfinder. The first one was totaled when we were hit broadside by another SUV. The accident spun us around, flipped onto the roof and slid 150 ft. We, my 8 year old son and I, walked away with very minor injuries considering. He had a scratch, I had a minor fracture on my collar bone.

Anyway, to get back to the problems, my second one I traded in for a newer version. I didn't have any mechanical problems with the first two. My 2001 is doing the same thing all of yours is doing. My check engine light came on months ago. Running a little rough. Then the shudder started occasionally at a red light. Then the CEL started blinking when the shuddering happened. This weekend on the way from CT. to Maine, while trying to pass on the Mass Pike, the shuddering happened and I had no acceleration, light started blinking again. I pulled over, rested for a short time and drove it back to CT. Mechanic says I have to wait for it to act up again and bring it in during an episode so they can tell what cylinder it is? I think I am going to try the advice about the multi-meter. Has anyone talked to a lawyer yet?

All,

I also have an 01 Path. Bought it in March of 07 with 67000, now has 131300.

I drive a lot. Anyway, the service engine soon light is on almost always. The acceleration was not there after a while, so I replaced the MAF sensor. Got it at a junk yard for $267 and installed it myself, not hard to do.

Replaced the tail pipe assembly because the tail pipe fell off the rear muffler from rust; $87 plus $83 for install. BTW, use WD-40 on the bolts and they should break free. I realized this later.

Brought it to Auto Zone for the free check engine light diagnostic and it said all 4 O2 sensors need replacing for a total of 600 bucks. Haven't done this yet. Car failed inspection due to this. 2 days later the SES light turned off so I ran to inspection and it passed. An hour later it was on.

When I bought it the CD player was bad, so I had the dealer replace it. Lucky I checked it then. Other than that I've only had to replace belts, oil, brakes and tires. I'm about to replace plugs and wires and give it a tune up overall.

I love my Path, and although there are these recurring problems with them in general, they do last a long time. The engines never die and transmission seems flawless. I'm hoping for 300k plus, but that might be a stretch. Change oil every 3000 miles.

Hello all.

Update to my original comment on March 28 2009 at 19:43. So after all the hustle and bustle, I found a dealership in Ct that was willing to reprogram the computer in my 2001 Path. I am glad to report that the truck pass emission test. Check engine light is off and it runs just as good as the first day I picked up from the dealership.

Folks, don't let anyone suck you into changing cat converters and oxygen sensors first. Make sure the computer program is first updated. Happy motoring with your Pathy.

Hi All,

My wife has a 2001 Pathfinder with a ton of miles on it, we absolutely love the car. But here is the problem trying to get it out of park. Started acting up a while ago now seems like getting worst. I did read a comment before about a switch in the steering column was the culprit of the problem. Has any one changed that, and if so whats the name of the part and how much does it cost? Also did any one do it themselves and have to buy any special tools.

Thanks for the help.

Stuckinparkinct.

Have an 01 Pathfinder running rough when hot. Check engine light on, reading 1320, 0304 and 0160 codes. I want to change the #4 coil pack to begin with, which one is #4?? I'm guessing passenger side in the middle, but don't want to do this twice if I can help it... thanks.

I have a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder SE. I've encountered just about every issue on this thread. Last year in April I had the Mass Airflow Sensor replaced and the Check Engine Light came back on shortly after wards. Now my tailpipe is broken & it bangs around when I drive, very annoying! A while back it began to die a lot. I found that the fluid in the battery was low. My brother put some distilled water in it and fixed it.

I've noticed in the last week it has begun to stutter at acceleration and idles strangely. The tachometer (I think that's what it is) will jump even while driving. Need help!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Have a 2001 Pathfinder with all the normal issues identified (clock, slow windows and CD Changer)...car has 123K miles and have yet to have spark plugs changed... mechanic said it would cost nearly $400 since I should get the rubber spark plug housing changed, it this necessary? Car is starting to have some trouble when starting, this is probably due to the plugs needing to get changed, do you guys agree?

I own a 2001 Pathfinder LE and have had many of the same problems listed. Mass air flow went out at around 105K, and now I am struggling with the ignition coil and the code does not tell me which one is bad, so I keep resetting the code hoping the next time it goes off it will provide more information.

I did have the Err2 problem with the CD player and was able to repair it myself. If you email me (squiggyh@yahoo.com) I may be able to help you resolve that issue. I also have the slow windows in the winter and use a silicon lubricate in the fall on the tracks, and that seems to make them at least usable in the winter.

I bought my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder new in March 2001. It now has 88K on it. Year 1 - CEL comes on. Still under warranty so it was Nissan's turn to pay to replace "the computer chip". Year 2-5 - CEL comes on regularly once a year. It was a "replace computer chip" problem at around $300 each time at my expense. The "computer chip" has a 12 month warranty according to the local Durham NC dealership and the light comes back on about 12 months and 1 day after the last one is replaced. I too live in a state where the car will not pass inspection if the light is on. Since the only thing that seems to be wrong is the "chip", I too jump to get it inspected as soon as the light goes off for a day. It never fails to pass - funny that they find nothing wrong during inspection.

The heater fan died and I replaced it (around $200).

The rear hatch hydraulic lift (passenger side) broke (another $200) and now the driver's side is broken. I see there is a recall on that.

The "Bose" CD player hasn't worked since year 4.

The windshield just popped and cracked all the way across.

The sun visor with the plastic covered airbag warning has rotted, as has the foam and fabric on the whole visor.

Yes, car repairs are to be expected but this is way out of line. This is my first and last Nissan. I'm going back to Hondas. They don't start breaking down until 100K. Nissan should NOT be grouped with the other Japanese automakers. They certainly don't know how to make a quality product.

Another disappointed owner of 2001 Nissan Pathfinder..

I have had every problem on this board. Before owning this 2001 Pathfinder, I owned a 1996 Pathfinder. Just sold it with over 300K miles and hardly any problems, but not true with the 01. Can't imagine this making it to 300k. I now have 120K on this one and it is falling apart. The few recalls on this truck, are not even mentioned as problems on this board. It does appear that the CEL is making Nissan a lot of money on repairs.

All:

I have just fixed the digital clock in my 2001 Pathfinder. After reading the message in this site, I found that a lot of owners are experiencing a similar problem. Since the problem in my case stem from a poor soldering job on a resistor on the PCB, which explains why sometimes the clock works and sometimes it doesn't. I would like to share the experience with whoever has the same problem, but I need a good photo of the PCB taken on the display side. Unfortunately, I have already put my clock back to my car and I do not want to pry my trims again. So could someone who happens to have the clock taken out please take a photo of the clock on this site (only on the display side) so that I can pinpoint where you should look for the poor soldering job and see if you can perform a simple fix yourself if you know how to solder a PCB.

I am having a similar problem with my clock. I would like instructions on how to take it out.

You have to use a small pry to pry open the trim that contains the clock and the air outlets on both sides of the clock. The trim with the CD player stays untouched. There are four screws beneath the clock that fix the clock to the trim. Unscrew them and the clock is free.

OK, I've got a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder LE 4x2.

I had the EXACT same problem where I got a Check Engine Light. The Pathfinder would be at a "rough idle" whenever I came to a stop and SOMETIMES die out. Autozone/Advance/Napa/Pep boys/Nissan ALL said that Bank 1 was running too lean. They ALL said the fix would be the Bank 1 O2 sensor. So I changed out the Bank 1 O2 Sensor and NOTHING. Therefore I proceeded to change out ALL my O2 senors, MAF, and 2-6 ignition coils (not 1 due to the fact that it is OUTRAGEOUSLY PRICED and I can ONLY SEEM to get it at Nissan, for it is a WHOLE DIFFERENT sensor then the other 5) and NOW, it still has a "rough idle" every now and then, but no more light and it seems that the gas mileage has gotten better. So unless it IS cylinder number 1 ignition coil, Nissan SHOULD do a recall and fix this problem.

But my windows are fine, CD player works, GPS works, A/C needs to get recharged every two years. Other than that she a BEAST. Oh yeah, my baby has 136,000 miles on her.

Just to following up on my August 7 post, you can find good photos illustrating how to take the center trim out from the following link:

http://www.shareamemory.com/radio/pathfinder/

Hope it helps.