NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may crack and come loose during air bag deployment.
This page covers 5 recalls, 40 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder.
14–16 mpg combined
14.7–16.8 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Complaints for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder cluster around a few distinct systems. The airbag warning light illuminating and staying on is the most frequently reported issue, with owners describing the light coming on at startup and not clearing. Powertrain complaints center on transmission failure, with several owners reporting coolant intrusion into the transmission as a contributing factor, and at least one complete shutdown while driving, including loss of steering and brakes, that owners tie to powertrain or electrical failure. A smaller group of complaints involves vehicle speed control. Separate from those systems, multiple owners describe the rear subframe rusting through, in some cases severely enough that wheel alignment and handling were affected while driving.
40
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder has 5 recalls, the most serious involving the suspension control arm links, where a failed collar weld can allow the arm to slip free of its mounting point and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
This suspension issue also affects replacement parts sold through dealerships for this generation of Pathfinder, so vehicles that have already had control arm links serviced may still be at risk if those parts came from the affected supply window.
Two separate recalls involve the airbags. The driver's airbag cover carries a resin emblem that can crack and break free when the airbag deploys, turning the emblem into a projectile inside the cabin. On the passenger side, the bolts securing the front airbag module may not have been tightened properly at the factory and can loosen further over time, causing a rattle under normal driving. In a crash, a loose module may prevent the passenger airbag from deploying correctly, leaving the front passenger without full restraint protection.
On four-wheel drive models, the front driveshaft joint can develop small internal cracks that grow until the shaft separates entirely. If that happens while driving, the driver will hear a sudden loud noise and the front wheels will lose drive power.
At a glance
What can fail
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may crack and come loose during air bag deployment.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The welded collar that attaches the lower control link to the chassis may have a faulty weld. If it fails, the collar can slip off the mounting bolt, changing wheel angle and degrading vehicle handling.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the lower control link assembly and replace it if the weld is defective.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cylindrical collars on certain replacement lower control links may have weak welds that don't meet strength standards, potentially affecting suspension attachment points.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace affected lower links at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The joint area of the front driveshaft may develop small cracks that can grow larger and cause the driveshaft to separate while driving, producing a loud noise.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front driveshaft and replace it if cracks or damage are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts holding the passenger front airbag may not be tight enough. They could loosen over time, causing rattle. In a crash, the airbag might not deploy correctly.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the airbag bolts and tighten them to the correct specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
