2010 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Complaints

On 01/20/25, I brought my vehicle to Nissan of Downtown L.A , to fix a manufacturer recall of drivers side airbag. The invoice indicates "Inspect Driver Bag Module and Replace Driver Air Bag Cover." "Upon Inspection Performed Recall, Inspect Driver Air Bag And Replace Driver Air Bag Cover And Check Found Vehicle OK." Approximately four months later, the red airbag light on my dashboard was flashing. On 05/13/25, I returned to Nissan Of Downtown L A. I explained the issue to service advisor, Litzy Carranza. She stated if the results of the diagnostic testing weren't related to the recall issue, I would be responsible for the cost to repair. When I received the results: "Airbag Light Flashing, Check For DTCS And Found B1049 And B1054. Check Wires And Connectors Found OK. Recommend Replacing Airbag Module And Spiral Cable To Start." Litzy informed me the cost to fix issue would be approximately $2,000. I declined to have issue repaired at my cost, and I left dealership. On 05/14/25, I contacted Nissan Headquarters to file a complaint. Case #[XXX] was established. Several days later, I spoke with Marshay, Nissan Consumer Affairs. She indicated that each Nissan dealership is independently owned and operated. Therefore, Nissan Headquarters can not force Nissan Of Downtown L.A, to repair the airbag issue. However, she will have the service manager call me the next day. On 06/06/25, I received a voice-mail message from Lance, Nissan of Downtown L.A. Service Director. I did not return his phone call, since he didn't specifically indicate that Nissan would take full responsibility and repair the flashing airbag light for free. I don't know if the airbag can deploy at any time, or not at all, if I'm involved in an accident. I am already at a higher risk for serious injury due to receiving a right cornea transplant, wearing a specialty contact lens, and glasses. The force of a deployed airbag can shatter my right cornea, and shatter the lens. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INF

NHTSA ID

11671137

Incident

May 13, 2025

rear sub frame rusted through. Vans in Mansfield Ohio showed us were were the frame was completely rusted out.

NHTSA ID

11619961

Incident

Oct 15, 2024

I had a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder that was “bought back” by Nissan after 6 years of use because of a “rusted frame” and now once again I have a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, where the rear sub-frame rusted through and caused the wheel to give out and track wrong -causing a life-or-death situation. I do not need an independent or dealer to confirm, it is obvious. There was no prior warning, thank God I was not on a turnpike going fast! I went on line an evidently other Pathfinder owners have had experience the same issue of a rusted sub-frame holding the rear wheels on the vehicle. I think the NTSA is well aware of the problem concerning this issue with Nissan and should take action to have this corrected. Other Nissan owners have complained. Nissan sells the sub-frame for about 1000.00. Nissan warranty should have covered the problem being they specifically went full on body frame, because of the rust & recall of the prior generation Nissan Pathfinder - which was a unibody. Full on frame was to get owners back.

NHTSA ID

11521638

Incident

Feb 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11509721

Incident

Feb 8, 2023

I was traveling at approx. 35 mph when the car shuddered violently for a second or two, all panel lights lit up and everything completely shut down while going through a very busy 6-lane intersection. All steering, brakes, and maneuverability were lost. I was lucky to coast to a safe spot and if this had happened on an interstate it may have easily been catastrophic. The dealer found a failed cam shaft sensors (their verbiage on the bill). Replaced both and the crank sensor.

NHTSA ID

11484939

Incident

Oct 13, 2020

Coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission failure . Car maker will not acknowledge the problem. Car towed to repair shop. Told $6000.00 for new radiator and transmission.Thank God I was only going 35-40 miles an hour.

NHTSA ID

11466139

Incident

Apr 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while approaching a traffic light at approximately 35 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated causing the vehicle to run the red light. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to coast to a stop and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated he waited 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer replaced the brakes and brake drums. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11455873

Incident

Mar 6, 2022

Mileage

115,000 mi

Transmission completely crapped out on me due to the radiator leaking into it.

NHTSA ID

11431031

Incident

Aug 18, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A BUMPY ROAD, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SEAT BELT ACTIVATED AS DESIGNED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOSES NISSAN OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT (5200 US ROUTE 60 E, BUILDING B, HUNTINGTON, WV 25705), WHERE A SPECIALIST WAS SENT OUT FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE INSPECTOR THAT DATA PULLED FROM THE COMPUTER SIMULATED A POSSIBLE ROLL OVER AND DEPLOYED THE AIR BAG AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,248.

NHTSA ID

11317083

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

150,248 mi

SERVICE ENGINE SOON, LIGHT TURNED ON AS SOON AS I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT TURNED OFF SINCE AND FOR NO REASON, UNTIL I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE THE CODE WAS P0181 AND IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH FUEL SYSTEM. LIGHT IS STILL ON.

NHTSA ID

11309641

Incident

Oct 30, 2017

Mileage

79,770 mi

STEERING IS DETERIORATING AND POPPING IN THE FRONT END SUSPENSION

NHTSA ID

11282055

Incident

Jun 15, 2019

Mileage

110,000 mi

VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE ON FREEWAY THEN WENT INTO DIRT MEDIAN TRIED TO GET IT BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND IT STARTED ROLLING WENT ACROSS THE FREEWAY AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEERING AT SPEED LIMIT (75 IN AZ). PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. ROOF SMASHED DOWN, I COULD BARELY CRAWL OUT OF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A HAMILTON TOWING, BUCKEYE, AZ

NHTSA ID

11217839

Incident

Apr 5, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

DEFECTIVE FACTORY RADIATOR LED TO MIXING OF TRANS FLUID AND COOLANT CAUSING CONTAMINATION AND VEHICLE FAILURE. PROBLEM INITIALLY EXPOSED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT 50MPH. VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT THIS SPEED. HAD I BEEN AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER, LIKE MANY OUT THERE, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH, OF MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN, AS WELL AS, OTHER DRIVERS OF THE HIGHWAY! THIS WAS THE FIRST INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. ALL MAINTENANCE WAS, AND IS, UP TO DATE. ALL FLUIDS ARE ROUTINELY CHECKED WITH NO INDICATION OF LEAKS. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON IN VARIOUS MODELS OF NISSAN BETWEEN YEARS OF 2005-2015! HOW HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED YET, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT NHTSA HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED IT? IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT ALL OF THESE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM! MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP, WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN. $5086 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR, AND HOOK THE SAME DEFECTIVE SYSTEM BACK UP TO INEVITABLY FAIL AGAIN. WITH NO DOUBT THAT IT WILL OCCUR AFTER THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRES. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP CONSUMERS SAFE FROM THE CORNER-CUTTING, COST-CUTTING COMPANIES. THIS FAULTY RADIATOR IS CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS. NOT ONLY DOES IT COST THOUSANDS TO FIX TEMPORARILY, BUT IT IS ENDANGERING LIVES. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO DIE FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE, AND RECALLED? OR, IS NISSAN PAYING YOU MORE THAN THE POTENTIAL RAMIFICATIONS YOU FACE WHEN SOMEONE IS BADLY INJURED OR KILLED?

NHTSA ID

11186969

Incident

Feb 14, 2019

Mileage

148,000 mi

MILKY FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE COOLANT AREA. I HAD BOTH THE COOLANT & RADIATOR FLUID DRAINED AND REPLACED FOR PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES. NOW WHEN I PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE AND I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, IT REVS HIGH BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR. IT DOES THIS ESPECIALLY AFTER I REVERSE OUT BEFORE PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE WHICH PUTS ME IN DANGER BECAUSE IT TAKES AWHILE TO GO INTO GEAR AND IF A CAR IS COMING, I COULD BE HIT.

NHTSA ID

11181303

Incident

Feb 12, 2019

PASSANGER AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSANGER SEAT. WORRIED THAT IT WILL NOT DEPLOY IF IN AN ACCIDENT. T

NHTSA ID

11155470

Incident

Dec 2, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi

ENGINE COOLANT (ANTIFREEZE) IS MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN GOING TO ADD TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CHECKING ALL OTHER FLUIDS, I REALIZED THAT THE RADIATOR IS FILLED WITH A YELLOW MILKY COLORED SLUDGE, AND MY TRANSMISSION FLUID IS BONE DRY. FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM REVEALED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR IN 2005-2010 PATHFINDERS.

NHTSA ID

11130683

Incident

Sep 20, 2018

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERUZZI NISSAN (215-943-6200, LOCATED AT 165 LINCOLN HWY, FAIRLESS HILLS, PA 19030) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

NHTSA ID

11128557

Incident

Aug 15, 2018

Mileage

73,000 mi

RADIATOR DEFECT, STARTED TO LEAK INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION ... THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS TILL THE TRANSMISSION IS FULLY DONE

NHTSA ID

11113053

Incident

Jul 23, 2018

RADIATOR LEAKED FOR AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF TIME CROSS CONTAMINATING FLUID WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. REPLACED RADIATOR, AND FLUSHED ALL FLUIDS, BUT TRANSMISSION IS NOW RUINED.

NHTSA ID

11100302

Incident

May 30, 2018

Mileage

152,000 mi

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DASHLIGHT CAME ON TELL ME THAT THE AIRBAG WAS TURNED OFF. VEHICLE TO TAKEN TO HONDA OF MARYSVILLE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE AND WHERE WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO NISSAN FOR REVIEW IT HAS TAKEN TWO WEEKS TO GET A RETURN CALL FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OF NISSAN WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT WAS BAD AND HENCE LUMINATED THE DASHLIGTHT. THE GENERAL MANAGER REFUSED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT NO COST AND TOLD US THE THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1700.00 SINCE THIS IS A STANDARD REPAIR NOT A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11071794

Incident

Jan 20, 2018

HEATER HOSE BROKE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY CAUSING A SHORT BURST OF STEAM AND THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MECHANICS STATED THAT THIS PART DID NOT SHOW ABNORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BUSTED ON A 2010 VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING, THE BREAK WAS SUDDEN AND WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY FREEWAY BEFORE THE ENGINE OVERHEATED.

NHTSA ID

11064260

Incident

Jan 20, 2018

Mileage

112,772 mi

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 TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *BF UPDATED 8/6/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11044285

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL"; WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS IN LOS ANGELES, CA THE POWER TRAIN (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) FAILED AND THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE GASKET IN THE RADIATOR THAT SEPARATES THE OIL AND WATER FAILED IN THE RADIATOR WHILE THESE FLUIDS ARE COOLED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. ONCE THIS GASKET FAILED, THE WATER AND OIL MIXED TOGETHER. SENDING WATER MIXED WITH OIL INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION RUINS THE TRANSMISSION VALUE BODY, ELECTRICAL PARTS & GEARS ALSO OVER HEATS THE VEHICLE ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACE, THE RADIATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACE, FLUSH OF COOLANT SYSTEM, FLUSH OF TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE ALL FLUIDS (TRANSMISSION OIL & COOLANT FLUID). I REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION OR REBUILD. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT A COST $3000.00 PLUS A RADIATOR AND FLUIDS/OIL AT A COST $500.00 FOR TOTAL $3500.00.

NHTSA ID

11035544

Incident

Jan 13, 2016

Mileage

109,577 mi

YOUR REGULATIONS ARE RIDICULOUS, CARS ARE NO LONGER COMFORTABLE WITH THE STUPID HEAD REST RESTRAINTS PUSHING YOUR HEAD DOWN TO YOUR CHEST. THESE THINGS ARE NEVER DESIGNED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE 5 FOOT TALL OR LESS. I HAVE TO TAKE THEM OFF TO EVEN DRIVE ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE ANYMORE. I HAVE NO CURVATURE IN MY NECK VERTEBRAE SO HAVING MY HEAD PUSHED FORWARD BY A HEAD REST IS PAINFUL. YOUR SHOULD CHECK THE INTERNET, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE BITCHING ABOUT THIS. LET OUR HEADS REST AND REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT MANDATED ANGLE THAT A NORMAL HUMAN CAN'T COMFORTABLY OR SAFELY DRIVE WITH.

NHTSA ID

10992721

Incident

May 31, 2017

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2010. WE ARE A VERY TYPICAL USERS WITH A FAMILY OF FOUR (CURRENTLY WITH ABOUT 120K MILES). I'VE HAD REGULAR PROBLEMS (SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON). STARTED WITH SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT A FEW TIMES, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE REPLACEMENT, AND NOW LATEST ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I'VE ALREADY SPENT MORE THAN $6K OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ON THESE ISSUES. THE DEALER IS NOW QUOTING $12K FOR REPLACING THE ENGINE. I SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD THIS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW RIGHT AWAY WHAT OPTIONS I CAN PURSUE (INCLUDING A LEMON LAWYER, ETC.).

NHTSA ID

10984387

Incident

May 7, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi