2010 Nissan Pathfinder Problems & Owner Complaints

Air Bags 11 1 crash 1 injury

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11217839, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“On 01/20/25, I brought my vehicle to Nissan of Downtown L.A , to fix a manufacturer recall of drivers side airbag. The invoice indicates "Inspect Driver Bag Module and Replace Driver Air Bag Cover." "Upon Inspection Performed Recall, Inspect Driver Air Bag And Replace Driver Air Bag Cover And Check Found Vehicle OK." Approximately four months later, the red airbag light on my dashboard was flashing. On 05/13/25, I returned to Nissan Of Downtown L A. I explained the issue to service advisor, Litzy Carranza. She stated if the results of the diagnostic testing weren't related to the rec…”
NHTSA complaint #11671137, 2025

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11509721, 2023

Power Train 11

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11466139, 2022

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11484939, 2020

“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, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH, OF MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN, AS WELL AS, OTHER DRIVERS OF THE HIGHWAY! THIS WAS THE FIRST INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS, AND IS, UP TO DATE. ALL FLUIDS ARE ROUTINELY CHECKED WITH NO INDICATION OF L…”
NHTSA complaint #11186969, 2019

Engine 6

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11181303, 2019

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11130683, 2018

“RADIATOR DEFECT, STARTED TO LEAK INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION ... THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS TILL THE TRANSMISSION IS FULLY DONE”
NHTSA complaint #11113053, 2018

Steering 5 2 crash 3 injury

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE DRIVER WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT REMAIN STRAIGHT. SHE HAD APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE STEERING WHEELS IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND AVOID DRIFTING INTO THE LEFT OR RIGHT LANE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. SINCE THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED, THE DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN FOUR ACCIDENTS. THE MOST RECENT CRASH (INVOLVING THREE OTHER VEHICLES) RESULTED IN THE DRIVER BEING INJURED ALONG WITH ANOTHER…”
NHTSA complaint #10344976, 2010 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11217839, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“STEERING IS DETERIORATING AND POPPING IN THE FRONT END SUSPENSION”
NHTSA complaint #11282055, 2019

Unknown Or Other 5

“rear sub frame rusted through. Vans in Mansfield Ohio showed us were were the frame was completely rusted out.”
NHTSA complaint #11619961, 2024

“Transmission completely crapped out on me due to the radiator leaking into it.”
NHTSA complaint #11431031, 2021

“YOUR REGULATIONS ARE RIDICULOUS, CARS ARE NO LONGER COMFORTABLE WITH THE STUPID HEAD REST RESTRAINTS PUSHING YOUR HEAD DOWN TO YOUR CHEST. THESE THINGS ARE NEVER DESIGNED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE 5 FOOT TALL OR LESS. I HAVE TO TAKE THEM OFF TO EVEN DRIVE ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE ANYMORE. I HAVE NO CURVATURE IN MY NECK VERTEBRAE SO HAVING MY HEAD PUSHED FORWARD BY A HEAD REST IS PAINFUL. YOUR SHOULD CHECK THE INTERNET, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE BITCHING ABOUT THIS. LET OUR HEADS REST AND REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT MANDATED ANGLE THAT A NORMAL HUMAN CAN'T COMFORTABLY OR SAFELY DRIVE WITH.”
NHTSA complaint #10992721, 2017

Suspension 4

“I had a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder that was “bought back” by Nissan after 6 years of use because of a “rusted frame” and now once again I have a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, where the rear sub-frame rusted through and caused the wheel to give out and track wrong -causing a life-or-death situation. I do not need an independent or dealer to confirm, it is obvious. There was no prior warning, thank God I was not on a turnpike going fast! I went on line an evidently other Pathfinder owners have had experience the same issue of a rusted sub-frame holding the rear wheels on the vehicle. I think the NTSA i…”
NHTSA complaint #11521638, 2023

“STEERING IS DETERIORATING AND POPPING IN THE FRONT END SUSPENSION”
NHTSA complaint #11282055, 2019

“POPPING AND/OR CRACKING NOISE THAT IS VERY SIMILAR TO SERVICE BULLETIN NO.: NTB-10-072A ( NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10034904). IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, TYPICALLY BACKING OUT OR PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE OR GARAGE. HAD REPAIR PERFORMED ON 11/2/2013 RELATED TO THE REFERENCED SERVICE BULLETIN (ABOVE) AND PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10558696, 2013

Vehicle Speed Control 4

“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, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH, OF MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN, AS WELL AS, OTHER DRIVERS OF THE HIGHWAY! THIS WAS THE FIRST INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS, AND IS, UP TO DATE. ALL FLUIDS ARE ROUTINELY CHECKED WITH NO INDICATION OF L…”
NHTSA complaint #11186969, 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11181303, 2019

“WHILE DRIVING THE GEAR CHANGED AND THE CAR MADE VIBRATION AND NOISE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. I WENT BACK HOME AND HAD A MECHANIC CHECKED AND HE FOUND OUT THAT THE COOLANT AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED. THE LIQUID INSIDE THE RADIATOR LOOKED LIKE A STRAWBERRY MILK SHAKE.”
NHTSA complaint #10971413, 2017

Fuel/Propulsion System 3

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11484939, 2020

“HEATER HOSE BROKE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING A SHORT BURST OF STEAM AND THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MECHANICS STATED THAT THIS PART DID NOT SHOW ABNORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BUSTED ON A 2010 VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE BREAK WAS SUDDEN AND WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY FREEWAY BEFORE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED.”
NHTSA complaint #11064260, 2018

“SERVICE ENGINE SOON, LIGHT TURNED ON AS SOON AS I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT TURNED OFF SINCE AND FOR NO REASON, UNTIL I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE THE CODE WAS P0181 AND IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH FUEL SYSTEM. LIGHT IS STILL ON.”
NHTSA complaint #11309641, 2017

Electrical System 2

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11484939, 2020

“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, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH, OF MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN, AS WELL AS, OTHER DRIVERS OF THE HIGHWAY! THIS WAS THE FIRST INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS, AND IS, UP TO DATE. ALL FLUIDS ARE ROUTINELY CHECKED WITH NO INDICATION OF L…”
NHTSA complaint #11186969, 2019

Engine And Engine Cooling 2

“NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED TO DATE. HOWEVER, I ALSO DO NOT LIKE GAMBLING WITH MY FAMILY AND THEIR LIVES. OUR 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER IS THE PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY. THE REPORTED ISSUES WITH FAILING RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION MUST BE ADDRESSED TO PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE. NISSAN RECOGNIZES THE ISSUE AND THE BEST THEY COULD DO TO DATE IS TO ISSUE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. PLEASE STEP IN AND ENFORCE A SAFETY RECALL ON THOSE VEHICLES. PREVENTION IS CALLED FOR IN THIS INSTANCE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH NISSAN CORPORATE AND LOGGED A CASE NUMBER WITH THEM. *T…”
NHTSA complaint #10488773, 2012

“SUDDEN TRANSMISSION SHIFT FROM 2WD TO 4WD. WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED IN THE REAR 2WD MANUAL SETTING, TRANSMISSION UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGES 4WD. THE FOLLOWING DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED: 4WD; ABS; SLIP; VDC. SYSTEMS CAN NOT BE RESET UNTIL VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO A STOP AND THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. DEFECT OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. NISSAN DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10358804, 2010

Service Brakes 2

“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 manufactu…”
NHTSA complaint #11455873, 2022

“WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHRISE PKG LOT HEAR GRINDING NOISE, ONCE OUTSIDE I GOT TO CORNER STOP AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT I STEP ON THE BRAKES, HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP.IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY ONE CAR LENGTH TO COME TO STOP MOVING, ALL THE TIME WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED TO THE BOTTOM. NO OTHER INCIDENT FOR A WEEK. TWO SUNDAY'S AGO AT CHURCH THE SAME HAPPEN, APPLY BRAKES AND CAR CONTINUE MOVING , IT TOOK ABOUT A CAR LENGTHS TO COME TO STOP. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING AT THE CHURCH PARKING. IT IS AT THE DEALER SINCE THEN FOR REPAIR. IS WAITING (9DAYS)FOR THE ESC MODULE, WHICH WENT BAD AND W…”
NHTSA complaint #10810647, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHRISE PKG LOT HEAR GRINDING NOISE, ONCE OUTSIDE I GOT TO CORNER STOP AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT I STEP ON THE BRAKES, HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP.IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY ONE CAR LENGTH TO COME TO STOP MOVING, ALL THE TIME WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED TO THE BOTTOM. NO OTHER INCIDENT FOR A WEEK. TWO SUNDAY'S AGO AT CHURCH THE SAME HAPPEN, APPLY BRAKES AND CAR CONTINUE MOVING , IT TOOK ABOUT A CAR LENGTHS TO COME TO STOP. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING AT THE CHURCH PARKING. IT IS AT THE DEALER SINCE THEN FOR REPAIR. IS WAITING (9DAYS)FOR THE ESC MODULE, WHICH WENT BAD AND W…”
NHTSA complaint #10810647, 2015

Seat Belts 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SEAT BELT ACTIVATED AS DESIGNED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOSES NISSAN OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT (5200 US ROUTE 60 E, BUILDING B, HUNTINGTON, WV 25705), WHERE A SPECIALIST WAS SENT OUT FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE INSPECTOR…”
NHTSA complaint #11317083, 2019

Seats 1

“ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DASHLIGHT CAME ON TELL ME THAT THE AIRBAG WAS TURNED OFF. VEHICLE TO TAKEN TO HONDA OF MARYSVILLE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE AND WHERE WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO NISSAN FOR REVIEW IT HAS TAKEN TWO WEEKS TO GET A RETURN CALL FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OF NISSAN WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT WAS BAD AND HENCE LUMINATED THE DASHLIGTHT. THE GENERAL MANAGER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT NO COST AND TOLD US THE THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1700.00 SINCE THIS IS A STANDARD REPAIR NOT A SAFETY ISSUE.”
NHTSA complaint #11071794, 2018

Tires 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE TIRE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10392445, 2010

Visibility 1

“SHATTERING SUNROOF. I VENTED SUNROOF AT FIRST AND AS I WAS CLOSING SUNROOF VENT TO OPEN SUNROOF THAT WHEN THE GLASS CRACKED AND SHATTERED IN VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO OBSTRUCTION OR MANIPULATION. I ONLY USED SUNROOF CONTROLS. LUCKILY I CLOSED INTERNAL SUNROOF COVER IN TIME AND ONLY A LITTLE GLASS FELL ON ME. NISSAN SAYS THEY ARE NOT LIABLE AS THERE IS NO PROOF OF FAULTY SUNROOF. THE COST TO REPAIR IS APPROX $800. THERE ARE A GOOD AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY LOCAL NEWS AGENCIES. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10555529, 2013

Wheels 1

“I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE SHOCK/STRUT ASSEMBLY ON MY VEHICLE WAS FAULTY RESULTING IN A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE REAR OE SPECTRUM SHOCK AND FRONT OE SPECTRUM STRUT IN THE AMOUNT OF $850.00. THIS HAS CAUSED MY WHEELS TO "CUP" WHICH IS RESULTING IN A NEED FOR A COMPLETE SET OF NEW TIRES. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10510090, 2013