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Nissan · Known Issues

2001 Nissan Pathfinder Problems: 2 Known Issues

2001 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 documented known issues. None of the listed issues is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $90 to $900. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Pathfinder Exhaust1
  • Pathfinder Emissions1
  • Recalls9
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Exhaust1
  • Emissions1
  • Recalls9
  • FAQ

All 2 Known Issues

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On the 2001-2012 Nissan Pathfinder, the cast iron exhaust manifolds on VQ35DE and VQ40DE equipped Pathfinders are prone to cracking due to thermal cycling. The passenger side manifold is most commonly affected. Cracks cause an exhaust leak that produces a ticking noise on cold starts that may diminish as the engine warms up. Over time the crack worsens and the leak becomes constant.

This issue also affects: Infiniti FX35, Infiniti G35, Nissan 350Z

Common Symptoms

  • Ticking or tapping noise on cold start
  • Exhaust smell in cabin
  • Rough idle
  • Decreased fuel economy
  • Check engine light (O2 sensor codes)

How to Fix

Replace the cracked exhaust manifold. OEM manifolds tend to crack again; many owners opt for aftermarket headers or upgraded manifolds. Replacing exhaust manifold gaskets at the same time is recommended. Cost: $400-900 at an independent shop.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • Dorman 674-433 left exhaust-manifold kit

    2001-2004 Pathfinder 3.5L VQ35DE, left/driver side; confirm VIN, side and that the manifold itself is cracked.

    PartsGeek
  • Dorman 674-434 right exhaust-manifold kit

    2001-2004 Pathfinder 3.5L VQ35DE, right/passenger side; confirm VIN, side and that the manifold itself is cracked.

    PartsGeek
  • Genuine Nissan VQ40DE exhaust manifold LH 14002-EA21A

    2005-2012 Pathfinder 4.0L VQ40DE, left/driver side; confirm VIN and order the correct gasket/hardware separately if not included.

    NissanPartsDeal
  • Genuine Nissan VQ40DE exhaust manifold RH 14002-EA20A

    2005-2012 Pathfinder 4.0L VQ40DE, right/passenger side; confirm VIN and order the correct gasket/hardware separately if not included.

    NissanPartsDeal

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Typical repair cost:$400 - $900

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium Confidence

On the 1998-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, on R50-generation Pathfinders the EVAP vacuum cut valve and its bypass solenoid are not under the hood — they sit outside on a steel bracket beneath the floor pan, just behind the driver's-side rear spring and forward of the fuel tank. Forum diagnosis of this code repeatedly puts the fault in that exposed pair: owners describe a green bypass solenoid and a white cut valve on a bracket that has spent its life in the road-salt spray thrown off the rear tire. Two things go wrong there. The solenoid's coil and its two-pin connector corrode until the ECM can no longer see a proper circuit, which is exactly what P1490 reports — the ECM is not getting the expected electrical feedback from the bypass valve driver circuit, as distinct from P1491, which is set when the valve is electrically alive but does not actually change the pressure in the tank during the leak test. The other failure is mechanical: grit and rust scale work into the valve body so the plunger sticks, or the short rubber hoses between the cut valve and bypass valve go hard and crack. Because this whole assembly only operates during the ECM's on-board EVAP diagnostic — the bypass valve is normally closed and opens only so intake manifold vacuum can be applied to the tank to check it for leaks — the driver usually notices nothing at all except the check engine light. There is no misfire, no drivability change, no fuel economy penalty. The code's real cost is a failed emissions inspection and a permanently lit MIL, and it tends to come back a few weeks after a code clear because the diagnostic only runs under a narrow set of fuel-level and drive-cycle conditions.

This issue also affects: Nissan Altima, Nissan Quest, Infiniti G35

Common Symptoms

  • Check engine light on with no drivability change
  • Code returns days or weeks after being cleared
  • Failed state emissions or OBD-II readiness inspection
  • EVAP readiness monitor will not set to ready
  • Corroded connector or rusted bracket at the rear underbody solenoid

How to Fix

Diagnose the circuit before buying anything. Raise the truck, find the bracket behind the driver's rear spring, and unplug the bypass solenoid. Bench-test it the way the factory manual specifies: apply battery voltage across the two terminals and confirm air passes between ports A and B, then remove voltage and confirm it seals; the valve must switch in one second or less. If it does not click at all, or does not seal, it is bad. If it clicks correctly on the bench, the fault is upstream — check the harness for a broken or chafed wire where it runs along the frame rail, and check the connector pins for green corrosion, spread terminals, or water sitting in the shell. A surprising number of these are fixed by cleaning and re-pinning the connector and packing it with dielectric grease rather than by replacing the valve. Where the solenoid is only clogged with debris rather than electrically dead, it can be taken apart with hand tools, cleaned, and reused — forum members do this routinely because the OEM part is expensive. If replacement is warranted, the Nissan control valve assembly is the 14933-series solenoid; budget for aftermarket equivalents at a fraction of dealer price. Two practical warnings: soak the bracket bolts with penetrating oil a day ahead, because the captive hardware is usually rusted solid and snaps easily, and replace the short connecting hoses at the same time since they are cheap and are half the failures. After the repair, clear the code and drive a full EVAP-enabling cycle — roughly a quarter to three-quarter tank of fuel and a cold start followed by steady cruising — before assuming the fix took, since the monitor will not run and re-confirm the repair on a short trip.

Typical repair cost:$90 - $350

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Sep 2026
NHTSA Recalls9 recalls

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Campaign #10E01900020/05/2010

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Campaign #10V11500024/03/2010

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan Pathfinder problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2001 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Exhaust Manifold Cracking, Underbody EVAP Vacuum Cut Valve Bypass Solenoid Corrodes and Stops Switching. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.

Is the Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

The 2001 Nissan Pathfinder has 2 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. None of the matching records is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Pathfinder problems?

Repair costs for known Nissan Pathfinder issues range from $90 to $900, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2001-2012 Nissan Pathfinder Exhaust Manifold Cracking?

The cast iron exhaust manifolds on VQ35DE and VQ40DE equipped Pathfinders are prone to cracking due to thermal cycling. The passenger side manifold is most commonly affected. Cracks cause an exhaust leak that produces a ticking noise on cold starts that may diminish as the engine… Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 1998-2004 Nissan Pathfinder Underbody EVAP Vacuum Cut Valve Bypass Solenoid Corrodes and Stops Switching?

On R50-generation Pathfinders the EVAP vacuum cut valve and its bypass solenoid are not under the hood — they sit outside on a steel bracket beneath the floor pan, just behind the driver's-side rear spring and forward of the fuel tank. Forum diagnosis of this code repeatedly puts… Repairs typically run $90-$350. Severity: low.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Campaign #10V20800014/05/2010

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Campaign #23V06700010/02/2023

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Campaign #10V40100010/09/2010

+ 4 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.