repaired · 2025 Q3
Air bags: frontal
Risk. A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
2010 Nissan PathfinderProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-067 the manufacturer reports only 16% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 3, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder has problems
40 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Power train
11Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
6Engine
5Steering2 crash/fire/injury
4Vehicle speed control
4Suspension
3Fuel/propulsion system
2Electrical system
2Engine and engine cooling
87 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 11 | 0 |
| Air bags | 11 | 1 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 8 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2010 Nissan Pathfinder recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk. OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Control arm: lower arm
Risk. IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.
Best & worst years
2010 vs. every other Pathfinder year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Pathfinder median. How we score
1917153839304991170159217149104112230156110671,05083756132837404523891577321105188797648137107876415
'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2010 Nissan Pathfinder safety ratings
2010 Nissan Pathfinder 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (22.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, and the recalls they led to.
- Transmission FailuresNo recall
In owners' words
What Pathfinder owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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.
DEFECTIVE FACTORY RADIATOR LED TO MIXING OF TRANS FLUID AND COOLANT CAUSING CONTAMINATION AND VEHICLE FAILURE. PROBLEM INITIALLY EXPOSED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT 50MPH. VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT THIS SPEED. HAD I BEEN AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER, LIKE MANY OUT THERE,…
Own a 2010 Pathfinder?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.