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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
39,590 miles · Dec 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WENT OUT TO START VEHICLE ,NO START...TOWED TO DEALER ,DENIED UNDER WARRANTY,MADE ME PAY FOR REPLACEMENT..DEALER TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALER TO PERFORM INSTALL OF STEERING LOCK ASSAY. AND MISC HARDWARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488746

10,602 miles · Dec 13, 2012
Air BagsEngineExterior Lighting

ENGINE PING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT TIMES REALLY LOUD NOISE GOT WORSE THEN MORE PROBLEMS HAPPENED OVER TIME AT A STOP CAR WAS ACCELERATING LIKE IF WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME,NEXT CAR WOULD COME TO A STOP THEN LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN A FEW MPH THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND…

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ENGINE PING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT TIMES REALLY LOUD NOISE GOT WORSE THEN MORE PROBLEMS HAPPENED OVER TIME AT A STOP CAR WAS ACCELERATING LIKE IF WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME,NEXT CAR WOULD COME TO A STOP THEN LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN A FEW MPH THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND ONCE DOWN HILL THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR ALSO ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT CLEAR AN INTERSECTION , I ALSO GOT VIDEO FOOTAGE OF INCIDENT ,DEALER KEEPS SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THE CAR IS SAFE EVEN AFTER THEY SAW THE VIDEO THEY SAY THE COMPUTER SHOWS NOTHING THEN A RECORDER WAS INSTALLED IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ACCELERATED BY ITSELF THE RECORDER BUTTON WAS PRESSED AND THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE RECORDER WAS TAKEN OFF AND THE MAIN NISSAN COMPANY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE INFORMATION ON THE RECORDER WAS ACCIDENTALLY ERASED. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I HAD IT THIS IS MY MAIN CONCERN BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE WINDOWS NOT ROLLING DOWN TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON AND TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING THE DEALER IS NOT HELPING NEITHER NISSAN DIRECT AND AT THIS POINT IM CONCERNED OF MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488730

53,128 miles · Nov 14, 2012
Power Train

I BOUGHT THE 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA USED IN APRIL 2012. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PART OF A FLEET UNIT IN WASHINGTON DC. DURING MY DRIVE TO WORK, I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SKIPPING. THE CAR JERKED AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE GAS TOO HARD FOR THE TURN. I HAD TO STOP TO MA…

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I BOUGHT THE 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA USED IN APRIL 2012. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PART OF A FLEET UNIT IN WASHINGTON DC. DURING MY DRIVE TO WORK, I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SKIPPING. THE CAR JERKED AS IF I HAD PUSHED THE GAS TOO HARD FOR THE TURN. I HAD TO STOP TO MAKE ANOTHER LEFT HAND TURN. AFTER WAITING ON CARS TO PASS, I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE OUT AT A SLOW AND NORMAL RATE OF SPEED AND THE CAR LUNGED AND JERKED AS IF I HAD TRIED TO PULL OUT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THANKFULLY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES MOVING PAST 20 MPH SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE CAR JERKS AS IT IS HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION BUT THE CARE IS AN AUTOMATIC. THERE IS LOUD CLICKING NOISE THAT COMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT CAN BE HEARD INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I RECENTLY HAD A RENTAL CAR OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL BUT DIFFERENT YEAR (2012). I DID NOT EXPERIENCE THESE PROBLEMS FROM THAT CAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON A LEAKING BREAK LINE. NISSAN STATES THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING OUT AND ALL LOOKS GOOD. I'LL TAKE THE CAR BACK IN ALONG WITH COPIES OF THESE COMPLAINTS. I TOOK AT LONG TRIP THAT WAS ABOUT A 4 HR DRIVE AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING WITH ACCELERATION, BUT MAY BE JUST NOW GETTING TO THAT POINT IN THE CARS TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484711

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2012
StructureVisibility

WHEN SERVICING THE VEHICLE FOR A BAD BATTERY, I TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIP DOWN THE DOOR TRIM ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN LINES WITH THE SUNROOF. (THIS HAS BEEN OPENED ONLY A FEW TIMES SINCE WE OWNED THE VEHICLE) THEY SAID THEY CLE…

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WHEN SERVICING THE VEHICLE FOR A BAD BATTERY, I TOLD THE SERVICE REP THAT WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIP DOWN THE DOOR TRIM ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN LINES WITH THE SUNROOF. (THIS HAS BEEN OPENED ONLY A FEW TIMES SINCE WE OWNED THE VEHICLE) THEY SAID THEY CLEANED THE LINES. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE NOTICED WATER ON THE DRIVERS RIGHT SIDE CARPET. THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IN THE CAR FOR SERVICE. ON 28 AUG 12, I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE AND HEARD WATER IN THE PASSENGER DOOR. I CALLED OUR LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT ON 30 AUG 12. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR LOOKING INTO THIS FOR US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472817

56,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. A CONTRACTOR INSPECTED THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. A CONTRACTOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10472400

12,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ODI #10470460

47,038 miles · Aug 13, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,038.

NHTSA ODI #10470362

30,000 miles · Jul 25, 2012
Structure

THIS NISSAN ALTIMA WAS PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 2011. SINCE THE PURCHASE, WE HAVE NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ROCK CHIPS IN THE PAINT. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN IN TOWN AND VERY RARELY ON THE HIGHWAYS. NOW THE CLEAR COAT IS PEELING ON THE ROOF WHERE THERE ARE NO CHIPS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH NISSAN AND THEY …

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THIS NISSAN ALTIMA WAS PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 2011. SINCE THE PURCHASE, WE HAVE NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ROCK CHIPS IN THE PAINT. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN IN TOWN AND VERY RARELY ON THE HIGHWAYS. NOW THE CLEAR COAT IS PEELING ON THE ROOF WHERE THERE ARE NO CHIPS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH NISSAN AND THEY BLAME IT ON NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THERE ARE EVEN CHIPS ON THE SIDES OF THE CAR WHERE IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR A ROCK TO IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467703

3,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Power TrainService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SLID AND EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SLID AND EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THAT HAPPENED, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10467230

8,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Air Bags

COMPUTER DOES NOT DETECT FRONT SIDE PASSENGER (ADULT) WHO WEIGH LESS THAN 125 POUNDS AND HENCE AIRBAGS ARE NOT ACTIVATED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BEFORE THE COMPUTER FINALLY DETECTS AN OCCUPANT. NISSAN CLAIMS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AND THE WEIGHT IS SET BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WITH THE NUMBER OF A…

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COMPUTER DOES NOT DETECT FRONT SIDE PASSENGER (ADULT) WHO WEIGH LESS THAN 125 POUNDS AND HENCE AIRBAGS ARE NOT ACTIVATED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BEFORE THE COMPUTER FINALLY DETECTS AN OCCUPANT. NISSAN CLAIMS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AND THE WEIGHT IS SET BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WITH THE NUMBER OF ADULT US POPULATION LESS THAN 125 POUNDS BEING HIGH, THIS PRESENTS A GRAVE SAFETY RISK ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462938

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