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2010 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
59Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
520
2007136
200837
200959
201064
201178
201248
2013
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
19Power Train
15Electrical System
9Engine
7Service Brakes
4
All reported categories
Structure
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Steering
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Parking Brake
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Suspension
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

43 reports with mileage · 16 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2022
EnginePower Train

Radiator failure leaking into tranny, causing a sound coming from transmission as if driving over a rumble strips when accelerating between 40-60mph, as well as sudden jerking when changing gears. SMOD residue (creamy pink fluid) present on radiator cap. This is a known issue that I was never made aware of during nor after purch…

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Radiator failure leaking into tranny, causing a sound coming from transmission as if driving over a rumble strips when accelerating between 40-60mph, as well as sudden jerking when changing gears. SMOD residue (creamy pink fluid) present on radiator cap. This is a known issue that I was never made aware of during nor after purchase. Obviously this was not addressed prior to the sale by the Nissan Dealership. No warning signs were present prior to the issue appearing. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet as I am only now learning of this problem, however I have made arrangements. The issue is confirmed by third parties. Vehicle is available for further inspection upon request. The issue first appeared about 2 weeks ago but symptoms were milder and progressively became more noticeable. Sudden transmission failure on the highway could be catastrophic and is part of my daily driving routine.

NHTSA ODI #11488994

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FUEL EMISSION DEFECT. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO PALM SPRINGS NISSAN (68177 KYLE RD, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234) AND WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FUEL EMISSION DEFECT. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO PALM SPRINGS NISSAN (68177 KYLE RD, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11343455

109,000 miles · Mar 20, 2020
Air BagsEngine

I HAVE TROUBLE SHOT THE AIRBAG LIGHT I HAVE THAT HAS BEEN BLINKING FOR A WEEK NOW. I CAN NOT FIGURE IT OUT. I HAVE NOTICED MANY POSTS ON FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I DO NOT HAVE A RECALL. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE TRUCK IDLES ROUGH, I HAVE ALSO SEEN MANY FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11318793

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS TURNING OFF WITH A BRAND NEWLY INSTALLED BATTERY AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CANNOT READ MY CAR TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR CLOSE TO A MONTH AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NEVER FAILS TO TURN OVER, BUT IT JUST LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF LIKE SOMEO…

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MY COMPLAINT IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS TURNING OFF WITH A BRAND NEWLY INSTALLED BATTERY AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CANNOT READ MY CAR TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THEY KEPT MY VEHICLE FOR CLOSE TO A MONTH AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE NEVER FAILS TO TURN OVER, BUT IT JUST LOSES POWER AND TURNS OFF LIKE SOMEONE SNATCHED OUT THE BATTERY. SOMETIMES IT FAILS TO TURN OVER, RIGHT AWAY, BUT THEN IT TURNS OVER AND I CAN DRIVE IT A FEW MILES BEFORE IT STALLS ON ME AGAIN, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE 64,500 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE BABIED IT SINCE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN 12/2009. THE SLIP LIGHT COMES ON AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN THE VEHICLE GETS CONFUSED AND SHUTS OFF. IT IS ANNOYING. IT FEELS LIKE A BATTERY ISSUE AND MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP CHANGED WHAT THEY CALLED A FAULTY POSITIVE TERMINAL HOOK-UP BUT I STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE WHERE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY POWERED. I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY START THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND BARELY MAKE IT HOME. I WAS NEVER IN A CRASH, BUT I DID HIT THE BOTTOM OF MY VEHICLE ON AN ABUTMENT THAT WAS IN A AUTOMOTIVE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 3MPH. BUT THIS HAPPENED IN 2014 DECEMBER AND I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND DROVE IT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11033936

90,000 miles · Jul 12, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 60MPH AND TRUCK WILL JUST SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING

NHTSA ODI #11004944

26,000 miles · Jun 30, 2016
Engine

ENGINE IDLES TOO LOW: ENGINE IDLES AT APPROXIMATELY 600 RPMS, WHEN AC KICKS IN IDLE DROPS TO 500 RPMS OR LESS CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUTTER AND SHAKE AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR RESET, BUT VEHICLE STILL IDLES AT AROUND 600 RPM. VEHICLE SPECS STATE VEHICLE SHOULD IDLE AT 650 RPM +OR- 50 RPMS FOR…

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ENGINE IDLES TOO LOW: ENGINE IDLES AT APPROXIMATELY 600 RPMS, WHEN AC KICKS IN IDLE DROPS TO 500 RPMS OR LESS CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUTTER AND SHAKE AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR RESET, BUT VEHICLE STILL IDLES AT AROUND 600 RPM. VEHICLE SPECS STATE VEHICLE SHOULD IDLE AT 650 RPM +OR- 50 RPMS FOR V6 ENGINE. THIS IS TOO LOW WHEN AC IS TURNED ON.

NHTSA ODI #10881709

114,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN...WHEN TIME TO GO CAR DOES NOT MOVE. COMPLAINED TO NISSAN DEALER IN 2014 AND THEY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE FLUID...COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. FLUID WAS CHANGED AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. WILL BE TAKING IT TO ANOTHER DEALER THIS WEE…

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TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, STOP SIGN...WHEN TIME TO GO CAR DOES NOT MOVE. COMPLAINED TO NISSAN DEALER IN 2014 AND THEY SUGGESTED CHANGING THE FLUID...COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. FLUID WAS CHANGED AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. WILL BE TAKING IT TO ANOTHER DEALER THIS WEEK. I UNDERSTAND NISSAN HAS HAD MAJOR ISSUES WITH COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION AS I HAD A 2005 NISSAN FRONTIER AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. NISSAN WOULD NOT COMPENSATE ME AS MY MILEAGE WAS 100+K. WHEN I TREADED IN MY 2005 FOR A 2010 I WAS ASSURED THAT NISSAN HAD FIXED THE DEFECT. HERE WE GO AGAIN...I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER!

NHTSA ODI #10743605

Official recalls

4

23V067000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 10, 2023

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

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.

10V372000 · Child Seat:tether: Connector/clip

Aug 12, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 10, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 26, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE WELD BETWEEN THE TETHER ANCHOR AND THE SEAT GUSSET BRACKET IS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, AND BASED ON NISSAN'S ENGINEERING JUDGMENT, THE TETHER ANCHOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT WHEN TESTED UNDER THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE TETHER ANCHORAGE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE SEAT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CHILD SEAT THAT USES THE TETHER ANCHOR.

Remedy: THE SEAT GUSSET CONTAINING THE TETHER ANCHORAGE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V208000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

May 14, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 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

1

DP12004 · Transmission Failures

Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.