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…
2010 Nissan Pathfinder engine problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 19 model years of Nissan Pathfinder we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
Radiator defect, started to leak inside the transmission ... There is no way of knowing this till the transmission is fully done
Had engine trouble with your 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 9,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.