IllustrationCENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF, NISSAN DEALER SAYS IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, VEHICLE ONLY HAD 73K/MILES. IT HAS BEEN TO DEALER SHIP TWICE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
925–50K
750–75K
375–100K
8100–150K
1150K+
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
What owners actually said
59 reportsTL* 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.
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.
TRANSMISSION FAILED, @ 133 THOUSAND MILES. COOLANT MADE ITS WAY INTO THE TRANSMISSION.
THE RECALL FOR AIRBAGS IT WAS INCOMPLETE AND NISSAN REFUSE TO COMPLETED
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.
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)
STARTED MY NISSAN UP AND NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, NO ONE SITTING IN THE PASSAGER SEAT, IT BLINKS OFF AND ON ALL THE TIME NOW. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE PASSAGER SEAT SENSOR IS BAD TO FIX IT IS GOING TO COST 2900.00. I DROVE IT THE DAY BEFORE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE
VEHICLE HAS FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT ON. DEALER TELLS ME THE FIX COSTS $2,500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR! THE VEHICLE HAS 59,757 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE PROBLEM IS A WEIGHT SEAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE ROOF ROLL OVE…
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VEHICLE HAS FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT ON. DEALER TELLS ME THE FIX COSTS $2,500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR! THE VEHICLE HAS 59,757 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE PROBLEM IS A WEIGHT SEAT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE ROOF ROLL OVER (TAKATA AIR BAG SENSOR''?.)
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.
Official recalls
423V067000 · 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 drivers 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
1DP12004 · 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.