← New search

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 →

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.

25 crash reports9 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine complaints

50 reports
Clear category filter
96,667 miles · Jul 21, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN LATE 2019, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. I LATER FOUND THAT THE YEAR, MODEL, AND MAKE OF MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL OF THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS, AMONG OTHER SAFTEY ISSUES. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS, THE CONCLUSION WAS MADE THAT IT WA…

Read full complaint

AFTER BUYING THE CAR IN LATE 2019, IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. I LATER FOUND THAT THE YEAR, MODEL, AND MAKE OF MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL OF THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS, AMONG OTHER SAFTEY ISSUES. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS, THE CONCLUSION WAS MADE THAT IT WAS INDEED THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND STEPPER MOTOR CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD A RECALL REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY PARTS AS OF YET. THE CAR HAS ONLY 96K MILES ON IT. WHEN THE ISSUE ARISES, THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO A "SAFE" MODE. THIS MODE CREATES A THROTTLE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE CANNOT TRAVEL FASTER THAN 40 MPH WITHOUT A HIGH PITCH WIND UP SOUND AND A CUT IN POWER OF ALMOST 50%.

NHTSA ODI #11340766

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE FLOORBOARD UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS HEATING UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN ORDER TO COOL DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE FLOORBOARD UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS HEATING UP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN ORDER TO COOL DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11299951

10 miles · Dec 16, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CLOGGED CAUSING CAR TO NOT HAVE ANY POWER.IT HAPPENED COMING OFF THE FWY .

NHTSA ODI #11289521

127,000 miles · Nov 8, 2019
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #11278860

187,000 miles · Jun 22, 2019
EnginePower TrainSuspension

MY STRUTS BEGINNING TO SOUND HORRIBLE. I WAS TRAVELING AND AS I WOULD SPEED UP THE RPMS WOULD GO HIGHER MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT HAD IT PUT ON A COMPUTER AND IT'S SAID TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID.

NHTSA ODI #11221861

155,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
EngineFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FLAMES CAME FROM DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. SMOKE FIRST SHOWED AND THE VEHICLE LO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FLAMES CAME FROM DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. SMOKE FIRST SHOWED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER BEFORE THE FLAMES QUICKLY APPEARED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE 2 PASSENGERS INJURED THAT DID NOT REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION. THE TYPES OF INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #11217451

129,450 miles · Mar 23, 2019
Engine

MY ENGINE IS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN ACCELARATING AND IT HAS EXCESSIVE BLOWBY WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SAYING CATALYTIC CONVERTER ,EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL GETTING PAST MY PVC SYSTEM IT ONLY HAS 129880 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ODI #11191102

82,253 miles · Jan 25, 2019
EngineSteering

STEERING LOCK INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE WILL NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW IN THE LAST 2 MOS, ALWAYS ON COLD TEMP MORNINGS. LATER THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND THE ENGINE WILL START...EXCEPT THIS TIME, LATER THE ENGINE STARTED WITH THE STEERING LOCK LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT EVEN WHEN RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #11172050

114,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING, NOT JUST ME. (SEE NHTSA ID # 10899578). I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES, SOMETIMES WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT IS THE CAR TURNS OFF COMPLET…

Read full complaint

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING, NOT JUST ME. (SEE NHTSA ID # 10899578). I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES, SOMETIMES WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT IS THE CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE COMING TO STOP, WHEN STOPPED, AND/OR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP. ALL SYSTEMS TURN OFF INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO STEER AND STOP. AFTER TURNING OFF, THE CAR WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY TURN BACK ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, SINCE IT HAD A RECALL AND WAS UNDER WARRANTY, TO SEE IF IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT, AS THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF THIS MORNING, 8/14/18, WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A MAIN CITY STREET. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BECAUSE THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT SEEM TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR DID NOT TURN BACK ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL OF THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11119878

136 miles · Aug 11, 2018
Engine

MY VEHICLE SLOWS SEVERELY DOWN WHEN I DRIVE IN STEEP HILLS..

NHTSA ODI #11119343

Official recalls

3

10V401000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems