2010 Nissan Pathfinder
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 19 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1989 | 15 |
| 1990 | 40 |
| 1991 | 40 |
| 1992 | 30 |
| 1993 | 49 |
| 1994 | 101 |
| 1995 | 170 |
| 1996 | 159 |
| 1997 | 217 |
| 1998 | 149 |
| 1999 | 104 |
| 2000 | 112 |
| 2001 | 230 |
| 2002 | 156 |
| 2003 | 110 |
| 2004 | 67 |
| 2005 | 1050 |
| 2006 | 837 |
| 2007 | 561 |
| 2008 | 328 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 45 |
| 2012 | 23 |
| 2013 | 890 |
| 2014 | 574 |
| 2015 | 320 |
| 2016 | 105 |
| 2017 | 186 |
| 2018 | 77 |
| 2019 | 75 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2022 | 134 |
| 2023 | 103 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 49 |
| 2026 | 9 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
28% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190604
Also filed under STEERING
On 01/20/25, I brought my vehicle to Nissan of Downtown L.A , to fix a manufacturer recall of drivers side airbag.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250703
TL* THE CONTACT WAS CALLING ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171107
28% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121214
Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20101001
Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
15% of complaints: engine — 6 distinct reports on file.
13% of complaints: steering — 5 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100723
10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 V
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 SPECIFICA
Campaign 10V115000 — check if this car was fixed
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 H
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.
Campaign 10V208000 — check if this car was fixed
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN
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.
Campaign 10E019000 — check if this car was fixed
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 SEP
Campaign 10V401000 — check if this car was fixed
Transmission Failures
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 driverÂs 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 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2010 Nissan Pathfinder — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 10V115000 (air bags, steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V208000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10E019000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V401000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V067000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.