THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK. THE "PASS AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT IS ON AND THE AIR BAG CLUSTER PANEL LIGHT IS FLASHING. I RESET THE LIGHT BUT IT CAME ON AGAIN WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT. LOOKING AROUND ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A HUGE COMPLAINT FOR 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
2010 Nissan Altima
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
271 reports with mileage · 109 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
61 reportsAIR BAG DEFECT. SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO BE NON-FUNCTIONAL. DIAGNOSED BY KERRY NISSAN, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042. PHONE 859-371-8191. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN 2010 NISSANS. THE COST OF THE REPAIR EXCEEDS $600. PART FAILURE PUTS THE PUBLIC AT RISK. IN ADDITION, THE PART IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE,…
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AIR BAG DEFECT. SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO BE NON-FUNCTIONAL. DIAGNOSED BY KERRY NISSAN, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042. PHONE 859-371-8191. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN 2010 NISSANS. THE COST OF THE REPAIR EXCEEDS $600. PART FAILURE PUTS THE PUBLIC AT RISK. IN ADDITION, THE PART IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE, SO CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH SOMEONE IN PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
THE OTHER DRIVER MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELTS WERE BUCKLED AND THE 2 FRONT AIR BAGS ACTIVATED. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I TRIED VERY HARD TO UNCOVER THE SOURCE OF SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON MY KNEES, ON MY HEAD, AND ON MY NECK. ALSO, MY WIFE RECEIVED SEVERAL SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON HER HEAD AND ON HER…
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THE OTHER DRIVER MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELTS WERE BUCKLED AND THE 2 FRONT AIR BAGS ACTIVATED. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I TRIED VERY HARD TO UNCOVER THE SOURCE OF SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON MY KNEES, ON MY HEAD, AND ON MY NECK. ALSO, MY WIFE RECEIVED SEVERAL SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON HER HEAD AND ON HER BODY. RECENTLY, I REALIZED THAT THESE SHRAPNEL INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY EXPLODING PLASTIC CASINGS AROUND THE SEAT BELTS. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS MINIMALLY INSURED. WITHOUT ANY LAW SUIT, WE GOT A SMALL PARTIAL COMPENSATION FOR THESE INJURIES. THE EXPLODING SEAT BELT BOXES WERE NOT INITIALLY THOUGHT OF. NOW, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE SERIOUSLY HARMED BY SHRAPNEL FROM THESE EXPLODING PLASTIC COVERS...UPDATED 11/17/14 *BF *TF UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED TO DETECT WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
REPEATED OCCURRENCE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT TURNED ON AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A NEW RADIO NEEDING TO BE INSTALLED AND THE REAR SPEAKER BLEW. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN RESET TWICE BUT STILL TURNS ON. WARRANTY IS OUT AND DEALER STATED FRONT …
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REPEATED OCCURRENCE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT TURNED ON AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A NEW RADIO NEEDING TO BE INSTALLED AND THE REAR SPEAKER BLEW. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN RESET TWICE BUT STILL TURNS ON. WARRANTY IS OUT AND DEALER STATED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS REPLACED WHICH IS TOTAL COST OF 1,000. THERE IS RECALL ON THE 2013 2014 MODELS FOR SAME ISSUE. THIS YEAR SHOULD BE ADDED . THE CAR HAS LOW MILES TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
ON 02/25 I WAS T-BONED BY SOMEONE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT WHO WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR/QUARTER PANEL AND I WAS WONDERING WHY IT IS THAT MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY? FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, IN A COLLISION WITH THAT KIND OF SPEED AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE IMPACT, THE AIRBAG SHOULD H…
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ON 02/25 I WAS T-BONED BY SOMEONE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT WHO WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR/QUARTER PANEL AND I WAS WONDERING WHY IT IS THAT MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY? FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, IN A COLLISION WITH THAT KIND OF SPEED AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE IMPACT, THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT IT DID NOT. WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED, I ASKED THE BODY SHOP TO CHECK INTO WHY IT DID NOT, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FIRING PIN FOR THE AIRBAG, WAS SMASHED TO PIECES. WHICH FURTHER TELLS ME THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY CAR TO MAKE THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOY. I AM JUST GRATEFUL THAT MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF WERE BOTH UNINJURED FROM THE INCIDENT BESIDES A SLIGHT CASE OF WHIPLASH. EVERYONE INCLUDING THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARRIVED ON SCENE AND THE BODY SHOP WERE AMAZED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE WAS NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT TO HELP PROTECT HER. *JS
MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT FLICKERS WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING OR EVEN AN ADULT IS SITTING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT WAS COMMON FOR IT FLICKER BASED ON THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. NOW, I SEE THAT 2013 - 2014 HAVE HAD A RECALL WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
DEAR SIR OR MADAM --' MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES NISSAN ANNOUNCED TODAY, 3/26/2014, IN LATER MODELS (2013-2014). THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY ON NISSAN VEHICLES IS MORE WIDESPREAD--AND COVERS MANY MORE YEARS--THAN NISSAN HAS STATED. HTTP://WWW.USA…
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DEAR SIR OR MADAM --' MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES NISSAN ANNOUNCED TODAY, 3/26/2014, IN LATER MODELS (2013-2014). THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY ON NISSAN VEHICLES IS MORE WIDESPREAD--AND COVERS MANY MORE YEARS--THAN NISSAN HAS STATED. HTTP://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/MONEY/CARS/2014/03/26/NISSAN-RECALL-AIR-BAGS-ALTIMA-SENTRA-LEAF/6902937/ THANK YOU. *TR
THE LACK OF LIGHTING INDICATOR MAKES THAT CAR VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT DUSK & DAWN TIMES. THE DASH BOARD IS SLIGHTLY LESS LIT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THE DRIVER WOULD NOT KNOW WHETHER THE BOARD LIGHT IS IN THE "MORE" OR THE "LESS" STATUS. UNLIKE IN OLDER CARS, THE DASH BOARD IS NOT DARK WHEN THE LIGHT IS NOT ON SO THAT THE DRI…
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THE LACK OF LIGHTING INDICATOR MAKES THAT CAR VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT DUSK & DAWN TIMES. THE DASH BOARD IS SLIGHTLY LESS LIT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THE DRIVER WOULD NOT KNOW WHETHER THE BOARD LIGHT IS IN THE "MORE" OR THE "LESS" STATUS. UNLIKE IN OLDER CARS, THE DASH BOARD IS NOT DARK WHEN THE LIGHT IS NOT ON SO THAT THE DRIVER IS ALERTED. THIS IS A MAJOR HUMAN FACTOR DEFECT. IT IS THE CAUSE OF COLLISIONS AT TIMES OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITH UTMOST QUALIFICATIONS IN HUMAN RELIABILITY ANALYSES(HRA). FOR A PERIOD OF 9 YEARS, I WAS THE ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF A LARGE INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF HRA ENGINEERS RESPONSIBLE FOR MINIMIZING HUMAN ERRORS AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. OUR CAR WAS TOTALED. MY WIFE HAD 4 BROKEN RIBS. I HAD SEVERAL INJURIES. *TR
THE LIGHT INDICATING "AIRBAG OFF" FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN AN ADULT (140 LB) PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE OCCURRENCE IS APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE TIME AND OCCURS AT ANY SPEED, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THIS ERROR HAS PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED NEW…
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THE LIGHT INDICATING "AIRBAG OFF" FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN AN ADULT (140 LB) PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE OCCURRENCE IS APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE TIME AND OCCURS AT ANY SPEED, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THIS ERROR HAS PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED NEW IN 2010), BUT THE DEALERSHIPS WE VISITED INSIST THAT THE SYSTEM COMPLIES WITH THEIR ELECTRICAL TESTS, EVEN THOUGH WE SHOWED THEM PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT TAKEN BY A PASSENGER WHILE SITTING IN THIS SEAT. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE MADE TO ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS LIFE-THREATENING ERROR. *TR
Official recalls
310V401000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
Sep 10, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
10V193000 · Structure
May 7, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 7, 2010 THROUGH APRIL 13, 2010. SOME OF THE FRONT SIDE MEMBER ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED TO SPECIFICATION DUE TO A TOOL MAINTENANCE ERROR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
09V358000 · Suspension
Sep 16, 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 ALTIMA AND MAXIMA PASSENGER CARS. THE UPPER FRONT STRUT INSULATORS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT INSULATOR TO CRACK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE STRUT INSULATOR IS CRACKED, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE STRUT ROD TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION, WHICH COULD AFFECT VEHICLE STABILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FRONT STRUT INSULATORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-NISSAN1 (1-800-647-7261).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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