2010 Nissan Pathfinder
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 40 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 25 Pathfinder model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 2 involved a crash. 3 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalFeb 10, 2023
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.
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Dealers will replace the drivers 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.
Campaign 23V067000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
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.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 20, 2010
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.
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10E019000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armMay 14, 2010
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.
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10V208000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, gear box, shaft sectorMar 24, 2010
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.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
40 reports, newest first.
Power train, Apr 28, 2017
TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXED INTO RADIATOR. VEHICLE STALLS, OVERHEATS, VIBRATES, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT FUNCTION RIGHT. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON CITY STREET.
Steering, Apr 17, 2017
HARD TO TURN HARD TO STEER
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 8, 2017
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.
Air bags, May 10, 2016
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL:FRONT DRIVERS AIRBAG SENSOR CONSTANTLY BLINKING. AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK. TOLD SPIRAL CABLE SNAPPED.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Dec 16, 2015
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 WITHOUT IT, THEY CAN NOT DETERMINE THE BRAKES PROBLEM. ONCE THAT IS REPLACE THEY WILL TEST THE ABS COMPUTER BECAUSE NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG WITH THE MECHANICAL/PHYSICAL PARTS OF THE BRAKES. THE CAR HAS GAVE ALL THE SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE BLESS YOU THE BOOK AT THE DEALERS SERVICE SHOP FOR NISSAN.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 24, 2015
ON MY WAY TO WORK IN EARLY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LOCKED UP IN A LOWER GEAR. THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND I WAS FORCED TO SLOW TO ABOUT 15 MPH. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE STRUCK ME FROM THE REAR AS TRAFFIC WAS VERY HEAVY. NISSAN STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $7,050.00 BY LANDER'S NISSAN IN SOUTHAVEN, MS TO REPAIR.
Air bags, May 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY WITH OR WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT ON THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Steering, Suspension, Jan 6, 2014
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
Visibility, Dec 10, 2013
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
Suspension, Wheels, Apr 30, 2013
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
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 14, 2012
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. *TR
Air bags, May 25, 2012
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AS IF I AM NOT IN THE SEAT INSTEAD OF GOING OUT LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO. IT IS ACTING AS IF A SMALL CHILD OR SMALL ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. I AM 5FT 11IN TALL AND WEIGH 135 LBS. THIS FAR EXCEEDS THE FDA DESIGN/MANUFACTURING QUALIFICATIONS. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE LAST 10 TO ELEVEN MONTHS. I BOUGHT THE PATHFINDER NEW, IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. DEALERSHIP TESTED FOR A CODE AND NONE SHOWED. A NEW SEAT WAS INSTALLED TODAY, 5/25/2012 AND THE LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED AGAIN. TUESDAY, WE TESTED A DIFFERENT 2010 PATHFINDER ON THEIR LOT AND THE LIGHT DID NOT STAY ON. IT WENT OFF PROPERLY AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS. TODAY, WE TESTED ME IN A NEW 2012 PATHFINDER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WORKED PROPERLY AS WELL. THIS IS A $45,000 SUV AND I PAY FOR MY AIRBAGS TO PROPERLY DEPLOY IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Tires, Mar 22, 2011
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.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 1, 2010
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
Steering, Jul 23, 2010, crash
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 DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.