2010 Nissan Pathfinder: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (25% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2023
“Coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission failure . Car maker will not acknowledge the problem. Car towed to repair shop. Told $6000.00 for new radiator and transmission.Thank God I was only going 35-40 miles an hour.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while approaching a traffic light at approximately 35 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated causing the vehicle to run the red light. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to coast to a stop and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated he waited 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer replaced the brakes and brake drums. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was traveling at approx. 35 mph when the car shuddered violently for a second or two, all panel lights lit up and everything completely shut down while going through a very busy 6-lane intersection. All steering, brakes, and maneuverability were lost. I was lucky to coast to a safe spot and if this had happened on an interstate it may have easily been catastrophic. The dealer found a failed cam shaft sensors (their verbiage on the bill). Replaced both and the crank sensor.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
“Vehicle pulled to the left while on freeway then went into dirt median tried to get it back on the freeway and it started rolling went across the freeway and down a steep embankment. Airbags did not deploy. Vehicle was hard to steering at speed limit (75 in az). Pulled to the right and left. Roof smashed down, I could barely crawl out of the back of the vehicle. Vehicle is a hamilton towing, buckeye, az”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2019
“Milky fluid was leaking from the coolant area. I had both the coolant & radiator fluid drained and replaced for precautionary measures. Now when I put my car into drive and I step on the gas pedal to accelerate, it revs high before going into gear. It does this especially after I reverse out before putting it into drive which puts me in danger because it takes awhile to go into gear and if a car is coming, I could be hit.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2019
“Passanger airbag light illuminates when an adult is in the passanger seat. Worried that it will not deploy if in an accident. T”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2018
“Engine coolant (antifreeze) is mixing with transmission fluid. When going to add transmission fluid and checking all other fluids, I realized that the radiator is filled with a yellow milky colored sludge, and my transmission fluid is bone dry. Further research into this problem revealed that this is a very common issue associated with a defective radiator in 2005-2010 pathfinders.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan pathfinder. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated and remained lit, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to peruzzi nissan (215-943-6200, located at 165 lincoln hwy, fairless hills, pa 19030) where it was stated that the failure was a known issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall and nothing could be done. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“Radiator defect, started to leak inside the transmission ... There is no way of knowing this till the transmission is fully done”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Pathfinder by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. The most complained-about area is air bags (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Pathfinder problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 111,386 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.