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ProblemsByVin File / 2010-NISSAN-PATHFINDER NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2010 · Nissan

Nissan Pathfinder problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 40 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Pathfinder?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
10 reports · fails ~110,875 mi · avg $1,100
moderate
powertrain
9 reports · fails ~143,763 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
5 reports · fails ~90,250 mi · avg $700
severe
engine
3 reports · fails ~9,000 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2010 Pathfinder's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2010 Pathfinder?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 Pathfinder · engine
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.…
2010 Pathfinder · visibility
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…
12/10/2013 · at 41,100 mi · NHTSA ODI #10555529.0
2010 Pathfinder · airbags
Passanger airbag light illuminates when an adult is in the passanger seat. Worried that it will not deploy if in an accident. T
12/02/2018 · at 12,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11155470.0 · see airbags pattern →
2010 Pathfinder · airbags
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. The contact took the vehicle to kelly Nissan of beverly (420 cabot street, beverly, ma 01915; 978-922-1405). The contact was advised…
11/07/2017 · at 200,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11044285.0 · see airbags pattern →
View all 40 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2010 Nissan Pathfinder? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 10V115000 March 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

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.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 10E019000 May 20, 2010

Nissan is recalling certain front and rear lower links, p/nos

If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 10V208000 May 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

If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 110,875 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 110,875 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Pathfinder has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 40 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/Pathfinder. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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