2010 Nissan Pathfinder: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2010 Pathfinder report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 2 owner complaints, average mileage 137,000 miles.
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints for the 2010 Pathfinder in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11484939 (filed 09/17/2022): “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 …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11466139 (filed 05/25/2022): “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.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission and radiator (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $5,150 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: transmission replacement (automatic or CVT, remanufactured unit)
Average shop cost
$835
Range $400–$1,390 (labor)
4.0–10.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,255
Range $600–$2,085 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2013 Chevrolet Cruze: Transmission went out · 2015 Dodge Durango: Transmission failure · 2015 Nissan Murano: Transmission failure · 2016 Subaru Forester: Transmission failure · 2018 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure · 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Transmission failure
Page last updated .