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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.

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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

Service Brakes complaints

27 reports
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65,000 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED ON OUR 2010 ALTIMA 2.5. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSANS AND IS IN FACT THE SUBJECT OF A NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN, NUMBER NTB10-139. THE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL NISSAN SWITCH CAUSES A NO START SITUATION IF IT OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING, AND FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO LIGHT WHEN BRAKI…

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THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED ON OUR 2010 ALTIMA 2.5. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSANS AND IS IN FACT THE SUBJECT OF A NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN, NUMBER NTB10-139. THE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL NISSAN SWITCH CAUSES A NO START SITUATION IF IT OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING, AND FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO LIGHT WHEN BRAKING IF IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN HAS RELEASED A REVISED SWITCH TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL DESIGN, BUT IN REVIEWING TRANSPORTATION.GOV AND CONTACTING THE DEALER, THERE IS NO RECALL OR MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY CAMPAIGN TO REMEDY THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THE REPAIR AT OUR OWN EXPENSE AND MY INITIATE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST NISSAN USA IF THERE IS NOT ALREADY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ODI #11240368

101,869 miles · Aug 13, 2018
Power TrainService BrakesUnknown Or Other

DRIVING ON I95 FROM GATLINBURG MY CAR STARTED MAKE A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISIE, SHUCK IT'S HAS DONE BEFORE JUST NOT THIS BAD, IT HAS BEFORE BUT I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AND JUST STOPPED AND LET IT SIT AND IT STOPPED . NOW IT HAPPENS EVERYTTIME I GET IN THE CAR. OR THAT I HAVE TO BEG IT GO WHEN IT'S IN GEAR, WHEN I PULL OUT I'D …

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DRIVING ON I95 FROM GATLINBURG MY CAR STARTED MAKE A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISIE, SHUCK IT'S HAS DONE BEFORE JUST NOT THIS BAD, IT HAS BEFORE BUT I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AND JUST STOPPED AND LET IT SIT AND IT STOPPED . NOW IT HAPPENS EVERYTTIME I GET IN THE CAR. OR THAT I HAVE TO BEG IT GO WHEN IT'S IN GEAR, WHEN I PULL OUT I'D DOESN'T GO. I'VE NOTICE IF I SLAM IT FROM TO PARK FORCEFULLY TO DRIVE IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE UNTIL THE WHINING AND JERKING START. I KNOW THIS IS A TRANNY ISSUE AND I I KNOW IT'S WARRANTY RORB10 YRS OR 120000 MILES I'M AT 102! AND I CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR PLEASE HELP!!!

NHTSA ODI #11119522

135,000 miles · Feb 9, 2018
Air BagsService Brakes

THE INCIDENT HAPPENED THE WEEK OF 02/08/18 MY WIFE NOTICED SOME LIGHT VDC SLIP ABS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON THEM WHILE ON HIGHWAY ALL OF THE BRAKES LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT ACCELERATE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11072006

127,000 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND IT WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND REMAINED JAMMED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #11020064

28,000 miles · Feb 23, 2017
Service BrakesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY AND HAD CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INADVERTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY AND HAD CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INADVERTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. *TT *CN

NHTSA ODI #10956491

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2016
Electrical SystemService Brakes

OVER THE YEARS IVED HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRANKE AND ENGINE OF MY 2010 ALTIMA. THE PANEL LIGHTS UP BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK. PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON ONLY LOCKS THE BRAKE.NO WARNING SIGNALS EITHER THE CAR JUST DIES ON YOU IVED PAID OVER 700 EVERYTIME IT NEEDS REPAIR, IM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH MY CAR AND WILL NEVE…

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OVER THE YEARS IVED HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRANKE AND ENGINE OF MY 2010 ALTIMA. THE PANEL LIGHTS UP BUT THE ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK. PUSHING THE IGNITION BUTTON ONLY LOCKS THE BRAKE.NO WARNING SIGNALS EITHER THE CAR JUST DIES ON YOU IVED PAID OVER 700 EVERYTIME IT NEEDS REPAIR, IM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH MY CAR AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10935484

98,070 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Service Brakes

MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER CAR DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT STOPPED ACCELERATING ACTING AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. SHE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO ABOVE 25 MILES AN HOUR. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAIT FOR HER DAD TO COME AND HELP HER. WHEN HER DAD GOT THERE THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND WOULD NOT ACCEL…

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MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER CAR DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT STOPPED ACCELERATING ACTING AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. SHE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO ABOVE 25 MILES AN HOUR. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND WAIT FOR HER DAD TO COME AND HELP HER. WHEN HER DAD GOT THERE THE CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. HE SWITCHED THE CAR TO MANUAL AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME. THE ABS, VDC OFF, SLIP LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. THE NEXT DAY ALL LIGHTS WERE OFF AND THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY AT WHICH TIME WE TOOK IT INTO OUR MECHANIC. HE DISCOVERED A POWER BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED REPLACING. HE BELIEVED THIS WAS A SAFETY RECALL AS IT HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2007, 2008 AND 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA. MUCH TO OUR DISMAY NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE 2010 MODELS. MY MECHANIC TOLD US THIS WAS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10910076

48,594 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAY WITH THE PUSH BUTTON START IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. I TESTED THE BATTERY WHICH IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (NISSAN LEGACY) WHO REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS WHICH NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE READY ONLINE THAT THERE …

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WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAY WITH THE PUSH BUTTON START IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. I TESTED THE BATTERY WHICH IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (NISSAN LEGACY) WHO REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS WHICH NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE READY ONLINE THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WITH THIS HAPPENING TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL

NHTSA ODI #10762522

67,000 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE ABS AND VDC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE ABS AND VDC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10746203

58,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I HAVE A 2010 ALTIMA THAT HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THIS WEB SITE AND MANY OTHER AUTOMOTIVE COMPLAINT WEB SITES MANY, MANY TIMES (NOT ONLY FOR THIS NISSAN PRODUCT BUT VARIOUS NISSAN PRODUCTS OF EARLIER YEARS). NAMELY, THE SWITCH THAT OPERATES THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN IT FAILS THE BR…

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I HAVE A 2010 ALTIMA THAT HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON THIS WEB SITE AND MANY OTHER AUTOMOTIVE COMPLAINT WEB SITES MANY, MANY TIMES (NOT ONLY FOR THIS NISSAN PRODUCT BUT VARIOUS NISSAN PRODUCTS OF EARLIER YEARS). NAMELY, THE SWITCH THAT OPERATES THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN IT FAILS THE BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T ILLUMINATE WHEN THE DRIVER STEPS ON THE BRAKE. THIS IS A REAR END COLLISION WAITING TO HAPPEN! DOES THE NHTSA HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BEFORE REQUIRING A MANUFACTURER TO FIX A DEFECT THAT BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND NHTSA KNEW ABOUT FOR SEVERAL YEARS? TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED POSING AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY RISK. TO MAKE MATTER WORSE, WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS THE CAR WON'T START. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE STUCK IN A DARK, DESERTED AREA AT 2 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING WHEN YOUR CAR DECIDED NOT TO START? AS I SAID BEFORE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. IN RESPONSE TO THE DELUGE OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, IN NOVEMBER OF 2010 NISSAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT BY ISSUING A TSB (NTB10-139) TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT INVOLVES A DIFFERENT STOP LAMP SWITCH AND A NEW ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THE COST TO IMPLEMENT THE TSB IS BORNE BY THE CUSTOMER. MY DEALER WANTS $579 TO DO THIS! IN RESPONSE TO AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IT IS TIME FOR THE NHTSA TO ACT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. NISSAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT TSB NTB10-139 IN ALL NISSAN PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. UPDATED 9/28/15 *LN UPDATED 3/23/2016*JS UPDATED 12/5/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10735479

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.

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