← 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

What owners actually said

380 reports
3,000 miles · May 23, 2011
SteeringTiresWheels

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DRIVERS SEAT WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS ABOVE 60MPH. I HAD THE TIRES REBALANCED, ROTATED AND AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES ARE SHOWING A CHOPPY OR FEATHERING WEAR PATTERN. THIS VIBRATION BEGAN SOO…

Read full complaint

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING VIBRATION THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DRIVERS SEAT WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS ABOVE 60MPH. I HAD THE TIRES REBALANCED, ROTATED AND AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES ARE SHOWING A CHOPPY OR FEATHERING WEAR PATTERN. THIS VIBRATION BEGAN SOON AFTER PURCHASE AFTER THE BREAK IN PERIOD. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS UNDER 8,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION EVEN THOUGH IT IS CONSTANTLY FELT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402477

7,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Power Train

I PURCHASED MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA NEW AT THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL 2010. AROUND 7K MILES IS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM. WHEN I AM ACCELERATING, BETWEEN 20-35 MPH MY CAR MAKES A LOUD NOSE AND HITS BETWEEN 4000-5000 RPMS, BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS LOSING POWER AND IS VERY SLOW TO SPEED UP. ONCE I HIT OVER 50MPH IT GETS BETTER…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA NEW AT THE DEALERSHIP IN APRIL 2010. AROUND 7K MILES IS WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM. WHEN I AM ACCELERATING, BETWEEN 20-35 MPH MY CAR MAKES A LOUD NOSE AND HITS BETWEEN 4000-5000 RPMS, BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS LOSING POWER AND IS VERY SLOW TO SPEED UP. ONCE I HIT OVER 50MPH IT GETS BETTER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AS A SANITY CHECK, I HAVE ASKED 3 OTHER PEOPLE TO DRIVE MY CAR AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING I AM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING LEFT AT AN UNPROTECTED LIGHT OR TURNING RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC. I GOOGLED THIS AND SEE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401349

12,000 miles · May 3, 2011
Air Bags

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2010. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT NISSAN QUALITY OF TEMECULA FOR MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON STATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF AND THIS IS WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT OF 200 POUNDS SITTING IN THE PASSANGER'S SEAT. I AM VERY CONCE…

Read full complaint

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2010. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT NISSAN QUALITY OF TEMECULA FOR MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON STATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF AND THIS IS WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT OF 200 POUNDS SITTING IN THE PASSANGER'S SEAT. I AM VERY CONCERNED OF OUR SAFETY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG WILL GO OFF. THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO GIVING US PROBLEMS.CAR IS STALLING AND JERKING WHILE DRIVING. THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT IS ALSO COMING ON AND I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. NISSAN WAS OKAY WITH US LEAVING THE LOT KNOWING THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398851

14,020 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Tires

I BOUGHT A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM PITTSBURGH EAST NISSAN IN MONROEVILLE, PA. AFTER 14,000 MILES THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT. I COMPLAINED BUT I WAS TOLD BECAUSE THEY WERE PERFORMANCE TIRES THAT WAS ABOUT RIGHT ON THE MILEAGE. I COMPLAINED SOME MORE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME A 50% DISCOUNT ON THE TIRES BUT ONLY IF I BOU…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM PITTSBURGH EAST NISSAN IN MONROEVILLE, PA. AFTER 14,000 MILES THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT. I COMPLAINED BUT I WAS TOLD BECAUSE THEY WERE PERFORMANCE TIRES THAT WAS ABOUT RIGHT ON THE MILEAGE. I COMPLAINED SOME MORE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME A 50% DISCOUNT ON THE TIRES BUT ONLY IF I BOUGHT THE SAME ONES. I GOT TIRES FROM ANOTHER PLACE AND WILL NOT BE GETTING ANY OTHER CARS FROM THIS DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397465

22,000 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Power TrainCrash

AFTER A HARD STOP ON HIGHWAY, CAR TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED IN A HIGHER GEAR, THUS ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, AND WAS REAR ENDED, CAR WAS DRIVING AT 5MPH ON THE HIGHWAY FOLLOWING AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE IS A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397039

700 miles · Mar 19, 2011
Power Train

AFTER DRIVING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME (2 HOURS OR MORE) ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY RECOVERING FROM A STOP. I ACCELERATE TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE VEHICLE HESITATES. WHEN IT REACHES ABOUT 2000 RPMS, IT ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY OF…

Read full complaint

AFTER DRIVING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME (2 HOURS OR MORE) ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY RECOVERING FROM A STOP. I ACCELERATE TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE VEHICLE HESITATES. WHEN IT REACHES ABOUT 2000 RPMS, IT ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY OFFERED FOR ME TO BRING IT IN WHEN I AM GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE, BUT I HAD TO STOP BEFORE I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS OCCURRED AROUND 700 MILES. WHEN I'M AT STOP LIGHTS I DON'T PANIC, BUT THIS IS UNSAFE FOR INTERSTATE DRIVING. NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION UNDER THE WARRANTY AS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392226

1,000 miles · Mar 7, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemTires

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA S (PURCHASED NEW 12/7/09) AND AS PART OF THE INCENTIVE TO BUY THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP HAD AFTER MARKET LEATHER INSTALLED AND FROM THERE THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN NON-STOP. AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR NEARLY 10 TIMES (ONE BEING TODAY) IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS FOR SE…

Read full complaint

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA S (PURCHASED NEW 12/7/09) AND AS PART OF THE INCENTIVE TO BUY THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP HAD AFTER MARKET LEATHER INSTALLED AND FROM THERE THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN NON-STOP. AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR NEARLY 10 TIMES (ONE BEING TODAY) IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS FOR SERVICE AND WAS PLACED IN LOANER CARS AT LEAST 4 TIMES DUE TO THE PROBLEMS. THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG NOT WORKING AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT SPORADICALLY COMES ON BOTH BLINKING AND/OR A CONSTANT. MY ENTIRE SEAT WAS REPLACED AND STILL THE AIR BAG LIGHT TAKES UP TO 5 MINUTES SOMETIMES (IT VARIES) TO TURN OFF INDICATING SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE DRIVEN UP TO 4 MILES WITH MY PASSENGER BEING UNPROTECTED. THE DEALERSHIP, TODAY SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT HAS CAME OFF AND ON SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH NOTHING FOUND TO BE WRONG EACH TIME, EXCEPT ONCE, THEY SAID I HAD A NAIL IN MY TIRE AND THEY PLUGGED IT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE REPAIR WORK AND LOOKED VERY WELL... THIS PAST WEEKEND, I VACUUMED MY ENTIRE CAR (MEANING EACH DOOR HAD BEEN OPENED AND SHUT) TAKING APPROX 15 MINUTES. WHEN I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO START IT THE SHIFT WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. ALL LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD SHOW "ON" ON THE START BUTTON WHILE NOT RUNNING. I WAS JUMP STARTED AND THEN INSTANTLY THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKED FOR ONE MINUTE THEN STAYED CONSTANT. THE AIR BAG SENSOR TOOK EVEN LONGER TO WORK. OF COURSE, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, NOTHING WAS WRONG--BATTERY WAS GOOD--AIR BAGS ARE GOOD; HOWEVER, THEY DID CONFIRM LOW TIRE PRESSURE IN ONE TIRE... I TRULY BELIEVE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED AND TRULY DISHEARTEN BY NISSAN AND THEIR LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS' SAFETY AND WELL BEING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386702

10,888 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Tires

I PUT AIR INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE OF MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE TIRE CENSOR BROKE WHILE DOING SO. I TOOK THE CAR TO DAVE'S NISSAN OF JACKSON TO BE FIXED, WHEN THEY LATER INFORMED ME THE CENSOR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DESIGN OF THE TIRE STEM SHOULD BE LOOKED AT SO THE CENSOR BREAKING DOES NOT HAPPEN TO P…

Read full complaint

I PUT AIR INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE OF MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE TIRE CENSOR BROKE WHILE DOING SO. I TOOK THE CAR TO DAVE'S NISSAN OF JACKSON TO BE FIXED, WHEN THEY LATER INFORMED ME THE CENSOR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DESIGN OF THE TIRE STEM SHOULD BE LOOKED AT SO THE CENSOR BREAKING DOES NOT HAPPEN TO PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE THAT ATTEMPT TO PUT AIR INTO THEIR TIRES. NISSAN IS UNWILLING TO COOPERATE WITH ME ON THIS ISSUE SO I HAD TO TAKE MATTERS INTO MY OWN HANDS AND CONTACT DOT FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379982

7,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Power Train

IT OCCURRED TO ME IN JULY 2010. CAR WAS 7 MONTHS OLD WITH MILEAGE OF ~7,000 KM. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION - WITH ACCELERATION PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED ENGINE WAS REVVING UP TO ~2,200 RPM AND CAR BARELY ACCELERATED LIKE IT WAS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. SWITCHING TO SPORT OR MANUAL MODES WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THERE IS "H…

Read full complaint

IT OCCURRED TO ME IN JULY 2010. CAR WAS 7 MONTHS OLD WITH MILEAGE OF ~7,000 KM. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION - WITH ACCELERATION PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED ENGINE WAS REVVING UP TO ~2,200 RPM AND CAR BARELY ACCELERATED LIKE IT WAS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. SWITCHING TO SPORT OR MANUAL MODES WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THERE IS "HIGH FLUID TEMPERATURE PROTECTION MODE" DESCRIBED IN MANUAL, BUT THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT/CHIME THAT TRANSMISSION ENTERS THIS MODE. DRIVER NOT BEING AWARE OF VERY LIMITED ACCELERATION CAN FIND HIMSELF IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION LEADING TO FATAL ACCIDENT, E.G. WHEN PULLING OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. IT OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, NEVER ANY WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. FINALLY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, BUT UNTIL NOW (JANUARY 2011) NISSAN DID NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND DID NOT TAKE ANY PREVENTIVE ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378381

250 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

AS CAR ACCELERATES TO 20 MPH, THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT/UNDERCARRIAGE AREA. NOISE WAS NOTICED THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE. THE CAR NOW HAS 7,500 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER, THE LEAD TECH HAD ME RIDE WITH HIM TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE--IT HAPPENED. HE THEN TO…

Read full complaint

AS CAR ACCELERATES TO 20 MPH, THERE IS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT/UNDERCARRIAGE AREA. NOISE WAS NOTICED THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE. THE CAR NOW HAS 7,500 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER, THE LEAD TECH HAD ME RIDE WITH HIM TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE--IT HAPPENED. HE THEN TOOK ME FOR A RIDE IN A NEW MODEL ON THE LOT AND IT SEEMED TO PRODUCE THE SAME NOISE. HE ENDED THE RIDE AND DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION. HE TOLD ME I WAS THE 4TH PERSON TO COME IN WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. HE STATED IT WAS THE ABS COMPLETING A SELF CHECK CYCLE...WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE VERY NOISY. THIS IS VERY HARD TO ACCEPT ON A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE. IT'S VERY EMBARRASSING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10376313

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