CarComplaints.com Notes: There are no warning signs of the same "radiator leaked and killed my transmission" complaints that have plagued previous model years.

For earlier Pathfinder model years (2005-2008), a defect in the radiator allows engine coolant to leak into the transmission. However this defect doesn't appear to affect Pathfinders from 2009 & later. Nissan did include the 2010 model when they extended their radiator warranty on 2005-2010 Pathfinders to 8 years/80,000 miles in response to the transmission defect.

1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,258 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2010 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments

problem #10

Oct 132020

Pathfinder

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #9

Apr 162022

Pathfinder

  • miles
Coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission failure. Car maker will not acknowledge the problem. Car towed to repair shop. Told $6000 for new radiator and transmission.Thank God I was only going 35-40 miles an hour.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #8

Feb 142019

Pathfinder

  • 148,000 miles
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"

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

problem #7

Feb 122019

Pathfinder

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #6

Sep 202018

Pathfinder

  • 180,000 miles
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.

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #5

May 302018

Pathfinder

  • 152,000 miles
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.

- Barboursville, WV, USA

problem #4

Jan 132016

Pathfinder

  • 109,577 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

"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 plus a radiator and fluids/oil at a cost $500 for total $3500.

- South Gate, CA, USA

problem #3

May 072017

Pathfinder

  • 120,000 miles
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.).

- Los Altos, CA, USA

problem #2

Apr 212017

Pathfinder

  • 153,000 miles
Transmission fluid mixed into radiator. Vehicle stalls, overheats, vibrates, transmission does not function right. Vehicle was driven on city street.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #1

Dec 142012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • miles
No incident has occurred to date. However, I also do not like gambling with my family and their lives. Our 2010 Nissan Pathfinder is the primary vehicle for my family. The reported issues with failing radiator and transmission must be addressed to prevent loss of life. Nissan recognizes the issue and the best they could do to date is to issue an extended warranty coverage. That is not good enough. Please step in and enforce a safety recall on those vehicles. Prevention is called for in this instance. I have discussed this with Nissan corporate and logged a case number with them.

- Beaver, PA, USA

Not what you are looking for?