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.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover.
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 front and rear lower suspension control arm links that can fail at a collar weld, allowing the arm to slip free of its mounting point and causing a sudden loss of vehicle control.
Two recalls address airbag concerns. The fasteners securing the front passenger airbag module may not have been tightened properly and can loosen over time, preventing the airbag from deploying correctly in a crash. There is also a separate issue where the resin emblem on the driver's airbag cover can crack and break free during deployment, sending a fragment into the cabin. On the drivetrain side, this recall only affects four-wheel drive models: the front driveshaft joint may contain small cracks that can grow until the shaft separates while driving, accompanied by a loud noise and loss of front axle drive.
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.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover.
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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 →
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.
