Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Owners filed 40 complaints about the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder with NHTSA between Jul 2010 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (11).
Complaints
40
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags11
- Power train11
- Engine6
- Steering5
- Suspension4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Electrical system2
- Service brakes2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Visibility1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
1
2
2
1
3
1
7
7
4
2
1
3
2
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
11 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 recall issue, I would be responsible for the cost to repair. When I received the results: "Airbag Light Flashing, Check For DTCS And Found B1049 And B1054. Check Wires And Connectors Found OK. Recommend Replacing Airbag Module And Spiral Cable To Start." Litzy informed me the cost to fix issue would be approximately $2,000. I declined to have issue repaired at my cost, and I left dealership. On 05/14/25, I contacted Nissan Headquarters to file a complaint. Case #[XXX] was established. Several days later, I spoke with Marshay, Nissan Consumer Affairs. She indicated that each Nissan…”
Power train
11 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.”
Engine
6 reports
“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.”
Steering
5 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“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”
Suspension
4 reports2 related recalls
“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 is well aware of the problem concerning this issue with Nissan and should take action to have this corrected. Other Nissan owners have complained. Nissan sells the sub-frame for about 1000.00. Nissan warranty should have covered the problem being they specifically went full on body frame, because of the rust & recall of the prior generation Nissan Pathfinder - which was a unibody. Full on frame was to get owners back.”
Vehicle speed control
4 reports
“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 LEAKS. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON IN VARIOUS MODELS OF NISSAN BETWEEN YEARS OF 2005-2015! HOW HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT NHTSA HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED IT? IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT ALL OF THESE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM! MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN. $5086 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR, AND HOOK THE SAME DEFECTIVE SYSTEM BACK UP TO INEVITABLY FAIL AGAIN. WITH NO DOUBT THAT IT WILL OCCUR AFTER THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRES.…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.