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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

What owners actually said

59 reports
20,160 miles · May 6, 2011
Power Train

6-SPEED MANUAL STICK SHIFT TRANSMISSION; CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY AT 20,160M, 13MOS VEHICLE AGE; SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR, INTERMITTANT BURNING SMELLS OF UNK ORIGIN WHEN BACKING VEHICLE THAT WENT AWAY QUICKLY MAY HAVE BEEN ONLY SYMPTOM OF IMPENDING PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. SOLE DRIVER/OWNER IS VETERAN STICK SHIFT DRIVER SINCE 1975…

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6-SPEED MANUAL STICK SHIFT TRANSMISSION; CLUTCH FAILED PREMATURELY AT 20,160M, 13MOS VEHICLE AGE; SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR, INTERMITTANT BURNING SMELLS OF UNK ORIGIN WHEN BACKING VEHICLE THAT WENT AWAY QUICKLY MAY HAVE BEEN ONLY SYMPTOM OF IMPENDING PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. SOLE DRIVER/OWNER IS VETERAN STICK SHIFT DRIVER SINCE 1975, PREVIOUS SOLE OWNER OF A FORD RANGER STICK THAT DID NOT HAVE CLUTCH FAILURE UNTIL 11 YRS OF DRIVING IT AND 85,000M, SO DRIVER ERROR NOT A FACTOR. CLUTCH FAILURE IN MID-TRAFFIC RESULTING IN HAVING TO DIVERT VEHICLE OFF MAIN ROADS AND SLOWLY LIMP IT TO NEAREST NISSAN DEALERSHIP; CLUTCH FAILURE GOT PROGRESSIVELY AND DRAMATICALLY WORSE IN A SPAN OF JUST 10 MINUTES. EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER BOTH A 36K/3YR BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY AND 6YR/75K EXTENDED GOLD PREFERRED MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, NISSAN REFUSED TO COVER THE PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE UNDER WARRANTY, CLAIMING DRIVER ERROR. MECHANIC FOR PREVIOUS FORD RANGER IS WILLING TO TESTIFY TO DRIVER STICK SHIFT EXPERTISE. DRIVER WAS PLACED IN HARM'S WAY BY CLUTCH FAILURE; DRIVER'S EXPERTISE WITH A STICK IS THE ONLY REASON VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN A LIMPING FASHION TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #10400148

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2011
Structure

2010 NISSAN FRONTIER RUSTING REAR BUMPER STARTED IN DECEMBER WITH 12,000 MILES ON VEHICLE 7 MONTHS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390230

240 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START NOR WOULD THE IGNITION UNLOCK WITH THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240.

NHTSA ODI #10389831

1,500 miles · Mar 6, 2011
Structure

(1) THE TRUCKS SPRAY-ON BEDLINER HAS HOLES AND CRACKS THAT EXTEND THE WIDTH OF THE BOX, PARALLEL TO THE TAILGATE (ABOUT 50CM FROM THE TAILGATE). THE ISSUE BECAME APPARENT BECAUSE WHITE SALT RINGS FORMED ON THE SURFACE OF THE BEDLINER (BOX IS COVERED) DUE TO SALT MIGRATING UP FROM THE ROADWAY. PER THE DEALER, THE BOX IS MISSING M…

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(1) THE TRUCKS SPRAY-ON BEDLINER HAS HOLES AND CRACKS THAT EXTEND THE WIDTH OF THE BOX, PARALLEL TO THE TAILGATE (ABOUT 50CM FROM THE TAILGATE). THE ISSUE BECAME APPARENT BECAUSE WHITE SALT RINGS FORMED ON THE SURFACE OF THE BEDLINER (BOX IS COVERED) DUE TO SALT MIGRATING UP FROM THE ROADWAY. PER THE DEALER, THE BOX IS MISSING METAL AND/OR WELDS, AND CANNOT BE FULLY INSPECTED DUE TO THE EXISTENCE OF SAID BEDLINER. (2) THE BOX APPEARS TO BE IMPROPERLY CONNECTED TO THE TRUCKS FRAME. SPECIFICALLY, WHEN STANDING BY THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK, AND LOOKING INTO THE REAR WHEEL WELLS, THE VISIBLE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BOX AND THE FRAME IS SLOTTED FOR A BOLT, BUT IS NOT BOLTED. THE DEALER WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THE AREA IS HELD TOGETHER BY WELDS. HOWEVER, THERE IS A 5MM-THICK RUBBER SHIM/WASHER THAT IS PLACED BETWEEN THE BOX AND FRAME AT THIS POINT. THIS BEGS THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: HOW CAN THE AREA BE WELDED IF THE AFOREMENTIONED METAL SURFACES ARE NOT IN PHYSICAL CONTACT? THAT NOTWITHSTANDING, THE RUBBER SHIMS HAVE BOTH STARTED TO SHIFT OUT OF POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #10388609

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2011
Unknown Or Other

2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL HAVE THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HIS PREVIOUS NISSAN FRONTIER DID. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10379108

14,035 miles · Nov 8, 2010
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,035.

NHTSA ODI #10364403

4,600 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONE TRAIL AT TIRES (N/A), SIZE P265/70/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS SWITCHED OUT FOR THE SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RADIAL LONE TRAIL AT TIRES (N/A), SIZE P265/70/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS SWITCHED OUT FOR THE SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING AND TO VISIT THE TIRE DEALER. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD ONLY ASSIST WITH 50-60% OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE COSTS. THE TIRE HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,600. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ UPDATED 01/03/11

NHTSA ODI #10358188

320 miles · May 12, 2010
Seats

2010 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X2 SE. VIBRATING PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330162

6,465 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK. COMING TOWARDS A STOP SIGN, I HAD ALREADY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. ABOUT 200 FEET,BEFORE THE STOP SIGN, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK,THE PEDAL STAYED DOWN WITH NO EFFECT. …

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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I WAS DRIVING MY 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK. COMING TOWARDS A STOP SIGN, I HAD ALREADY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. ABOUT 200 FEET,BEFORE THE STOP SIGN, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK,THE PEDAL STAYED DOWN WITH NO EFFECT. I TRIED TO JAM AS HARD AS POSSIBLE -- NO EFFECT, LUCKILY, MY SPEED WAS SLOW ENOUGH, IT DID NOT CARRY ME INTO THE TRAFFIC LANE. NEXT MINUTE, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE, I TESTED SEVERAL TIMES - NO PROBLEM SINCE THEN. HOWEVER, NOW THAT I THINK BACK, IT DID HAPPEN AT LEAST COUPLE OF TIMES, SO FAST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. THIS TIME, IT WAS NO IMAGINATION, IT WAS SCARY. [XXX]

NHTSA ODI #10317897

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.