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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
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2021
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

concern: melting dashboard safety: visibility - the dashboard is very shiny and sticky, potential glare confirmation: Florida recalls have already been made against 2008 and 2009 Nissan vehicles, but nothing further. symptoms: no idea that the dashboard was melting; college student used vehicle corrective action taken: washing/c…

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concern: melting dashboard safety: visibility - the dashboard is very shiny and sticky, potential glare confirmation: Florida recalls have already been made against 2008 and 2009 Nissan vehicles, but nothing further. symptoms: no idea that the dashboard was melting; college student used vehicle corrective action taken: washing/cleaners do not improve or correct the issue. Also, the replacement cost and/or labor required to fix the issue is extremely limited for consumers to take on personally.

NHTSA ODI #11430026

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2021
Visibility/wiper

The dashboard is melting and causing a large glare on the dashboard. This makes it a safety hazard to see out of the window. Nissan does not want to do anything about this but does acknowledge that it is happening.

NHTSA ODI #11426512

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2021
EngineSuspensionUnknown Or Other

The right side motor mount is broken for starters and then on the left drivers side front struts are making a noise and sometimes my back up camera goes out also the transmission is starting to jerk a little or it may be the broken motor mount.

NHTSA ODI #11425990

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2021
Unknown Or Other

The heater core in the car started leaking and it cost almost $2400 to replace it. Dealer told me that it is due to the fact that the whole dashboard in the car needs to be taken out and is very labor intensive. This is a big expense and wanted to check if there has been a repeated issue like this.

NHTSA ODI #11419543

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I purchased my 2010 Nissan in 2016. I had no issues up until now when I made my final payment. I do not travel no more than 2 hours on my car once a month. Outside of 2 hour travels I drive 15 minutes to work everyday. Wednesday, May 19, 2021 my car stop working out of the blue! When I was driving home, I was at a stop light. Wh…

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I purchased my 2010 Nissan in 2016. I had no issues up until now when I made my final payment. I do not travel no more than 2 hours on my car once a month. Outside of 2 hour travels I drive 15 minutes to work everyday. Wednesday, May 19, 2021 my car stop working out of the blue! When I was driving home, I was at a stop light. When it was time for me to go, my car did not move. So that’s when I pushed the gas pedal all the way down just so the car could move. If it went over 20 miles it will start shaking and jerking. I took my car to Nissan and they told me it’s my transmission. How is this possible? And they are asking fit 5,000.00! I don’t have that. On top of that I had to pay $252.00 just for them to tell me it’s my transmission. I could’ve caused an accident yesterday. What’s going on with Nissan transmissions

NHTSA ODI #11417986

125,098 miles · Mar 21, 2021
Air BagsEngineSeat Belts

AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE VERY NEXT DAY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AN IT STARTED HAVING ELECTRIC PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #11404104

106,324 miles · Mar 11, 2021
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,324.

NHTSA ODI #11400316

65,000 miles · Feb 6, 2021
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG PASSENGER NOTIFICATION LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING ON IN THE DASH. IT CAN BE RESET, BUT AS SOON AS A PASSENGER SITS IN THE CHAIR THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE ADVISOR THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN ADVISOR NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS SEEMS TO ME A VERY DANGE…

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THE AIRBAG PASSENGER NOTIFICATION LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING ON IN THE DASH. IT CAN BE RESET, BUT AS SOON AS A PASSENGER SITS IN THE CHAIR THE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE ADVISOR THE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN ADVISOR NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS SEEMS TO ME A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #11394942

137,000 miles · Jan 4, 2021
EnginePower TrainSuspension

I DROVE MY CAR THE DAY BEFORE IT WAS FINE. I CAME OUT TO MY CAR A 2010 ALTIMA 3.5 SR I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . I PRECISELY PRECEDED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I HAD TO GO TO WORK. MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE OVER 20 MPH. CAR INTERMEDIATELY STARTED OVERHEATED AND DIED . I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A LOCAL INFINITI DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR …

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I DROVE MY CAR THE DAY BEFORE IT WAS FINE. I CAME OUT TO MY CAR A 2010 ALTIMA 3.5 SR I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . I PRECISELY PRECEDED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I HAD TO GO TO WORK. MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE OVER 20 MPH. CAR INTERMEDIATELY STARTED OVERHEATED AND DIED . I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A LOCAL INFINITI DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE, THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL ON THE CAR BUT THE 1ST OWNER NEVER FIXED IT. THE PROBLEM WAS A STEP MOTOR , THE CAR HAD NO POWER , NOW AFTER PAYING 3K FOR A NEW RADIATOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DATES BACK TO A RECALL YEARS BACK NISSAN HAD. THIS IS UNSAFE . I COULD'VE LOST MY LIFE . I STILL HAVE A LEAN ON MY VEHICLE IT HAS WORN CONTROL ARMS , AND CVT ISSUES GALORE IF THIS IS NOT FIXED SOMEONE WILL BE KILLED I PROMISE YOU . TOTALED OVER 8K IN REPAIRS SHAME ON NISSAN AND COMMON FUCCIN SAFETY BRO !!!!!! TOTAL JUNK AND UNSAFE AND IS INOPERABLE AND STILL ISN'T PAID OFF WHOOO HOOO JUST KILL US ALL NISSAN !!!!

NHTSA ODI #11386344

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED AN OVERLY REFLECTIVE FINISH ON MOST OF THE PLASTIC/RUBBERIZED DASHBOARD SURFACES, LIKELY DUE TO NORMAL SUN AND/OR HEAT EXPOSURE. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY CONCERN, AS THE DRIVER IS DISTRACTED BY REFLECTED LIGHT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11384990

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