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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

Power Train complaints

15 reports
Clear category filter
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

133,000 miles · Oct 25, 2019
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED, @ 133 THOUSAND MILES. COOLANT MADE ITS WAY INTO THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11271079

130,000 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Power Train

AT 130,000 MILES WE STARTED TO NOTICE TRANSMISSION ISSUES SUCH AS SLIPPING AND AT 40 MPH, A VIBRATION LIKE YOU WAS RUNNING ON THE RUBBLE STRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK TO THE GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO BAD TIRES. PAID OVER $500 FOR NEW TIRES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WAS TOLD SINCE NO ENGINE CODE, THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS G…

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AT 130,000 MILES WE STARTED TO NOTICE TRANSMISSION ISSUES SUCH AS SLIPPING AND AT 40 MPH, A VIBRATION LIKE YOU WAS RUNNING ON THE RUBBLE STRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY. TOOK TO THE GARAGE AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO BAD TIRES. PAID OVER $500 FOR NEW TIRES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. WAS TOLD SINCE NO ENGINE CODE, THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE SLIPPING GOT SO BAD, CLEARING A INTERSECTION OR PULLING OUT INTO MOVING TRAFFIC BECAME DANGEROUS. FRUSTRATED WITH DEALER BS AND OTHER GARAGE BS. I YOUTUBED IT. SAW A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR VIDEO. CHECKED MY ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION OIL TO FIND THEM BOTH MILKY. MY TRUCK IS 9 YEARS OLD AND THE RADIATOR FAILED. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WAS AT STAKE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK AS WE WAITED FOR ANTIFREEZE TO POWER OUR TRANSMISSION AND WATCHED OUR ENGINES OVERHEAT AS IT WAS NOW COOLED WITH OIL. 100% SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, 1000% SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST A WARNING TO CUSTOMERS OF THE RISK TO OUR SAFETY. I`LL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN, OR RECOMMEND OTHER TO DO SO. AT 100,000, BOTH REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE. TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN USED TO HAUL HEAVY LOADS TO CAUSE THIS FAILURE. ON TOP OF THAT, THE STEERING RADIUS REALLY SUCKS. A THREE POINT TUN IN THIS TRUCK IS REALLY A 21 POINT TURN.

NHTSA ODI #11222847

240,000 miles · May 28, 2019
Power Train

VEHICLE WON'T SHIFT RIGHT. WAS ON HIGHWAY WHEN IT WOULDN'T GO VERY FAST OR SHIFT. ONLY 5 MILES FROM HOME, I TOOK IT HOME AND CHECKED THE RADIATOR CAP, IT IS FULL OF PINK FROTHY ANTI FREEZE AND OIL. (MILKSHAKE)

NHTSA ODI #11210280

115,000 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Power Train

FAULTY RADIATOR CAUSES COOLANT TO LEAK INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA ODI #10967163

100,000 miles · Oct 14, 2016
Power Train

RADIATOR FLUID LEEKS INTO TRANSMISSION AND RUINS THE TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #10916131

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

10,759 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE TO EXIT A PARKING LOT AND WAITING FOR AN OPENING IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY FOUR-LANE ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH, I HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE INTO AN OPENING AND NOTHING HAPPENED, NO FORWARD MOTION. AND THERE HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS; ONE INVOLVED TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY STREET FROM A STOP SI…

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AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE TO EXIT A PARKING LOT AND WAITING FOR AN OPENING IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY FOUR-LANE ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH, I HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE INTO AN OPENING AND NOTHING HAPPENED, NO FORWARD MOTION. AND THERE HAVE BEEN SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS; ONE INVOLVED TRYING TO CROSS A BUSY STREET FROM A STOP SIGN. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE; WHEN THE DRIVE TRAIN IS UNRESPONSIVE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, PEOPLE COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. TODAY, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TO HAVE THIS ANOMALY CHECKED OUT. THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THE RADIATOR CRACKED, LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND BOTH MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS BEING DONE AT NO COST TO ME, AS THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE RADIATOR CRACKING FOR WHICH NISSAN HAS INCREASED THE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY NOTIFICATION DOESN'T MENTION THE TRANSMISSION MAY BE COMPROMISED, STATING ONLY, "IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY MIGHT OCCUR AT HIGHER MILEAGES LEADING TO INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF ENGINE COOLANT." MY VEHICLE IS FOUR YEARS OLD AND JUST HIT 12,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597204

41,000 miles · May 7, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE U-JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER HAVING T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE U-JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER HAVING THE U-JOINTS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. RK

NHTSA ODI #10586930

41,638 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Power Train

WE HAVE HAD THE REAR U JOINTS REPLACED 3X ON OUR TRUCK AND HAVE REAR AXEL FLUID LEAK ETC OBVIOUSLY THE DRIVESHAFT IS MISALIGNED AND EVENTUALLY WILL FAIL. ALSO THE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSFER CASE MOTOR IS FAILING. THE FIRST U JOINT INCIDENT HAPPENED IN6/01/11 AT MILEAGE 41,638. THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUE BEGAN 10/26/12 AT MILEAGE 76…

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WE HAVE HAD THE REAR U JOINTS REPLACED 3X ON OUR TRUCK AND HAVE REAR AXEL FLUID LEAK ETC OBVIOUSLY THE DRIVESHAFT IS MISALIGNED AND EVENTUALLY WILL FAIL. ALSO THE TRANSFER CASE AND TRANSFER CASE MOTOR IS FAILING. THE FIRST U JOINT INCIDENT HAPPENED IN6/01/11 AT MILEAGE 41,638. THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUE BEGAN 10/26/12 AT MILEAGE 76,380. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584601

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.