Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 5 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

5 total · 5 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V067000 · Feb 2023

A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver’s 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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V401000 · Sep 2010

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10E019000 · May 2010

IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V208000 · May 2010

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V115000 · Mar 2010

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

40 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
17

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 9transmission slipping 3sudden stalling 3
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11484939 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
2

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 1unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11455873 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

loss of steering 4software faults 1premature wear 1
A recent report: STEERING IS DETERIORATING AND POPPING IN THE FRONT END SUSPENSION

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11282055 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
10

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.

airbags not deploying 4software faults 1
A recent report: 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."…
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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 INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11671137 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
3

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 2
A recent report: rear sub frame rusted through. Vans in Mansfield Ohio showed us were were the frame was completely rusted out.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11619961 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10992721 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 40 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2025, roughly 3 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 40 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (45). Of the 15 model years of the Nissan Pathfinder we cover, the 2013 has the most (890). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.