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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.

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

What owners actually said

380 reports
24,000 miles · May 30, 2015
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

AS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO "GRAB" AND TOO EXTRA PRESSURE. STOP WAS RATHER SLOW, AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES APPEARED TO KICK IN (BY ROUGH, STACCATO SHAKING TYPICAL OF THEM APPLYING). ONLY BY PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD DID I PREVENT SMASHING INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. DRY, SUNNY FLORIDA CONDITIONS, NO …

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AS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO "GRAB" AND TOO EXTRA PRESSURE. STOP WAS RATHER SLOW, AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES APPEARED TO KICK IN (BY ROUGH, STACCATO SHAKING TYPICAL OF THEM APPLYING). ONLY BY PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD DID I PREVENT SMASHING INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. DRY, SUNNY FLORIDA CONDITIONS, NO SAND OR SLIPPING AT ALL, JUST SLOW, ODD BRAKING. THEN THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE REVVING A BIT - FASTER IDLING THAN NORMAL WHILE AT THE STOP LIGHT. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT SPEEDING HERE, OR SUDDEN BRAKING, JUST A NORMAL APPROACH TO A KNOWN STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES, THEN DID NOT REPEAT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. THEN, WHEN IT DID REPEAT, I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT. ALWAYS AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ALWAYS IN DANGER OF SMASHING INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME OR ENTERING TOO FAR INTO THE INTERSECTION IF I COULD NOT CONTROL THE STOP. THEY WERE COMPLETELY PUZZLED, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT BECAUSE, AS I SAID, IT IS VERY SPORADIC. AN ISPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING. THEY LAUGHED AT ME, SAYING IT WAS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO KICK IN IF THERE IS NO SKIDDING. OK, SO WHAT WAS IT THEN? IT SURE AS HECK SEEMED LIKE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES! (I COME FROM UP NORTH AND HAVE EXPERIENCED ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICKING IN ON SNOW COVERED ROADS...) SINCE THE INITIAL REOCCURRENCE, IT WENT SEVERAL MONTHS, ABOUT SIX, WITH NO ISSUES OR REPEATS, THEN JUST THE OTHER DAY, IT DID IT AGAIN TWICE MORE. I SUSPECT IT COULD BE SOMETHING TO DO WITH COMPUTER CONTROLS, RATHER THAN THE BRAKES THEMSELVES, BUT I AM NO MECHANIC.

NHTSA ODI #10722409

22,000 miles · May 30, 2015
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT INDICATES INOPERATIVE PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SEATED. APPARENT SPORADIC OPERATION OF AIR BAG. SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD! WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED? AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATES SOMETIMES IT IS OPERATING PROPERLY, AND OTHER TIMES DANGEROUSLY INOPERATIVE. AND IT IS NOT A WEIGHT IS…

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PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT INDICATES INOPERATIVE PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SEATED. APPARENT SPORADIC OPERATION OF AIR BAG. SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD! WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED? AIR BAG SENSOR INDICATES SOMETIMES IT IS OPERATING PROPERLY, AND OTHER TIMES DANGEROUSLY INOPERATIVE. AND IT IS NOT A WEIGHT ISSUE. I ONCE HAD THE LIGHT TURN OFF (MEANING THE AIR BAG WAS ENGAGED TO OPERATE IN A CRASH) BASED ONLY ON THE WEIGHT OF MY BRIEFCASE (HOLDING A LAPTOP) ON THE SEAT! SO IT IS CLEARLY A SENSOR ISSUE. LIGHT ALSO GOES ON OR OFF SEEMINGLY AT WILL. WHILE DRIVING, IT SOMETIMES CHANGES SEVERAL TIMES (ON VS. OFF) DURING A TRIP. STARTED AROUND 22,000 MILES IN ABOUT 2013, AND STILL ERRATIC AT 32,000 MILES IN 2015 (LOW MILEAGE CAR) BASED ON A REVIEW OF PAST COMPLAINTS, THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN, UNADDRESSED PROBLEM OF THIS MODEL SINCE 2010, AND COMPRISES WHAT APPEARS TO BE A WHOPPING PERCENTAGE OF ALL COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE! REFERENCE NHTSA NUMBERS 10705119, 10693858, 10621721, 10551401, 10538101, 10508652, 10462938, 10398851, 10386702 TO DATE. DEALER SAID SENSOR IS IN SEAT, AND ENTIRE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO FIX. REALLY? COST ABOUT $1,000, SO I NOW KNOW WHAT A LIFE IS WORTH TO NISSAN - LESS THAN $1,000, RIGHT? MAYBE A LAWSUIT WOULD HELP, BUT THEY KNOW PROVING THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE IS DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER. KISS YOUR LOVED ONES BEFORE DRIVING WITH THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" WARNING LIGHT LIT! WHY THE NHTSA AND NISSAN REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WELL ESTABLISHED, AND HIGHLY RISKY DEFECT IS TRULY BEYOND ME. CONSIDER A DIFFERENT VEHICLE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS FINALLY ADDRESSED, IF EVER.

NHTSA ODI #10722408

55,600 miles · May 17, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE ABS LIGHT, SLIP AND VDC ARE NOW ILLUMINATED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BLINK IF THERE IS A PROBLEM DRIVING IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS OR IT IS SLIPPERY. I HAVE READ …

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. AT THE PRESENT TIME THE ABS LIGHT, SLIP AND VDC ARE NOW ILLUMINATED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BLINK IF THERE IS A PROBLEM DRIVING IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS OR IT IS SLIPPERY. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO TURNOVER AND START. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE FURTHER AND ISSUE A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10716936

90,000 miles · May 11, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemCrashInjury

TRAVELING EAST ON I-20 IN ARLINGTJON TEXAS OUR CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER AND COASTED TO A STOP. WE WERE POWERLESS TO MOVE AND COULD NOT GET OFF THE FREEWAY. WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND AND AS REPORTED OUR CAR WENT AIRBORNE. THE TRUCK THAT HIT US ALSO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND FLIPPED ONTO ITS TOP. IN ALL 4 PEOPLE WENT TO HOSPITAL INC…

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TRAVELING EAST ON I-20 IN ARLINGTJON TEXAS OUR CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER AND COASTED TO A STOP. WE WERE POWERLESS TO MOVE AND COULD NOT GET OFF THE FREEWAY. WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND AND AS REPORTED OUR CAR WENT AIRBORNE. THE TRUCK THAT HIT US ALSO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND FLIPPED ONTO ITS TOP. IN ALL 4 PEOPLE WENT TO HOSPITAL INCLUDING MY SELF AND MY WIFE. IN RESEARCHING THE REASON THE CAR STOPPED, I FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER CASES OVER SEVERAL YEARS OF PEOPLE ONLINE THAT LOST POWER IN THIS TYPE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A SENSOR FOR THE CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT THAT FAILS CAUSING STALLING. I CONTACTED NISSANS REPRESENTATIVE(CASE NUMBER18593816) AT 615-725-7539. TOLD THEM THE CAR HAD BEEN SEALED AND SECURED AWAITING THEIR INSPECTION TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE SAYING THEIR WERE NO RECALLS ON IT. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE KILLED US AND OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI #10715581

50,000 miles · Apr 19, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

THE DRIVERS POWER LOCK HAS STOPPED WORKING, BOTH OPENING AND CLOSING. THIS LEAVES THE DRIVERS DOOR LOCK IN A DIFFERENT STATE THAN THE OTHERS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT GIVES A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706548

140,000 miles · Apr 11, 2015
Air BagsSeats

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

NHTSA ODI #10705119

20,000 miles · Apr 7, 2015
Electrical System

THIS SPECIALLY ORDERED ALTIMA COUPE 3.5 WOULD NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BEGINNING ONLY A YEAR OR SO AFTER IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME FROM THE FACTORY. EACH TIME, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO DEPRESS, AND THE CAR MADE CLICKING SOUNDS WHEN THE START PUSH BUTTON WAS PRESSED. SEVERAL JUMP STARTS AFTER THE FIRST TIME T…

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THIS SPECIALLY ORDERED ALTIMA COUPE 3.5 WOULD NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BEGINNING ONLY A YEAR OR SO AFTER IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME FROM THE FACTORY. EACH TIME, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO DEPRESS, AND THE CAR MADE CLICKING SOUNDS WHEN THE START PUSH BUTTON WAS PRESSED. SEVERAL JUMP STARTS AFTER THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, ON A SUNDAY, I DECIDED TO TRY REPLACING THE BATTERY. BECAUSE NISSAN'S SERVICE CENTER WERE NOT OPEN IN MY AREA, I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY FROM A RETAIL STORE. WHEN I PHONED NISSAN'S SERVICE CENTER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEM (THEY WANTED THE ENTIRE CAR, NOT JUST THE BATTERY, EVEN THOUGH THE NISSAN SHOP WAS CLOSED), I WAS NOT ENTITLED TO A PRORATED REFUND ON THE OLD BATTERY. APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 - 2 YEARS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM BEGAN TO HAPPEN AGAIN. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER AN HOUR IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY, I SWUNG BY A NISSAN DEALER, WHO TESTED THE NEW BATTERY AND ADVISED THAT IT WAS AT ABOUT 40%. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TURN EVERYTHING OFF, INCLUDING THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS, BECAUSE "ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES DRAIN THE BATTERY." WHAT'S THE POINT IN HAVING AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS IF I HAVE TO SHUT THEM OFF? I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE BEFORE, AND BATTERIES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS, ESPECIALLY IN A BRAND NEW CAR. WHEN THIS FIRST BEGAN OCCURRING, THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON IT. AT THIS TIME, THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT. THE NISSAN DEALER WHO TESTED THE BATTERY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL (AND I SEE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE), BUT THAT NISSAN IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704207

22,000 miles · Apr 3, 2015
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL THE WHEELS WERE BLISTERING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR PASSENGER RIM WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. U…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL THE WHEELS WERE BLISTERING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR PASSENGER RIM WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 5/19/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALLOY WHEELS CONTINUED TO BLISTER. THE WORST ONE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. UPDATED 11/19/15 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10703566

116,000 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Air Bags

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,…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10693858

49,809 miles · Feb 27, 2015
Structure

THE DASH BOARD IN THE CAR IN MELTING, THE DEALER CORAL SPRINGS AUTO MALL IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM WITH DASH. THE REFLECTION FROM THE DASH IN DIRECT SUN LIGHT IS BECOMING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO REPAIRED AND OWNERS NEED TO WARNED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691185

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