2010 Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 Nissan Pathfinder ranks 17th out of 20 model years for complaint volume, with a complaint index of 16 and a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 40 complaints, 4 recalls, 2 crashes, and 3 injuries for this year, well below most other Pathfinder years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 16/100
- #17 of 20 Pathfinder years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 40
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14.5 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2010 Nissan Pathfinder problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags11 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (28%)
- Engine9 (23%)
- Other5 (13%)
- Steering5 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (13%)
- Fuel System3 (8%)
- Brakes2 (5%)
- Electrical System2 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel fails to hold a straight line, requiring heavy correction to avoid drifting between lanes.
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifts from 2WD to 4WD on its own, triggering ABS, slip, and VDC warning lights until the vehicle is stopped and restarted.
- Tire pressure monitoring system falsely illuminates the tire warning light even when tires check out fine.
- Passenger airbag warning light stays on or flickers as if no one is seated, sometimes for many months.
- Owners report failing radiators and transmission problems that Nissan addressed only through extended warranty coverage.
- Front and rear shock/strut assemblies wear out and cause tires to cup unevenly.
2010 Nissan Pathfinder recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
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.
- NHTSA 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Other7,948 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
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 september 16, 2010. Owners may contact garmin directly at 1-866-957-1981 or nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 10V208000May 14, 2010Suspension, Wheels & Tires41,649 vehicles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
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 has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications.
Risk: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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.
2010 Nissan Pathfinder fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,850
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Pathfinder ranks 17th of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 16 and a Best verdict relative to other Pathfinder years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?
- Airbags and transmission/powertrain issues each account for 28% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 23% and steering issues at 13%.
- Does the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2010 Pathfinder, covering airbag cover cracking, a GPS battery overheating risk, a lower control link collar issue, and airbag fastener defects.
- How does the 2010 Pathfinder compare to other Pathfinder years?
- With a complaint index of 16, the 2010 model has far fewer reported issues than years like 2013 (index 100) or 2005 (index 89), which are both rated Avoid.