VehicleVerdict

2010 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 541 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Altima year — the 2010 model ranks #13 of 33 Altima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 62 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (81), transmission (73), and other (71), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

541

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

40

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

62

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted2,976 complaints1993: 150 complaints1994: 120 complaints1995: 216 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 141 complaints1998: 141 complaints1999: 110 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 202 complaints2002: 1,321 complaints2003: 1,099 complaints2004: 334 complaints2005: 1,364 complaints2006: 1,043 complaints2007: 598 complaints2008: 1,376 complaints2009: 2,150 complaints2010: 541 complaints2011: 320 complaints2012: 577 complaints2013: 2,976 complaints2014: 1,391 complaints2015: 1,197 complaints2016: 781 complaints2017: 507 complaints2018: 320 complaints2019: 344 complaints2020: 278 complaints2021: 111 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 37 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8115%
Transmission7313%
Other7113%
Airbags6111%
Engine5410%
Brakes326%
Suspension316%
Body & Structure306%
Visibility & Wipers285%
Speed Control204%
Steering204%
Tires & Wheels81%
Fuel System71%
Lighting71%
Seat Belts61%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks41%
Driver Assistance20%
Child Seat20%

Does the 2010 Nissan Altima have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V401000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2010 · 7,948 units

Defect

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

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.

10V193000Body & StructureMay 7, 2010 · 113 units

Defect

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

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.

09V358000SuspensionSeptember 16, 2009 · 26,398 units

Defect

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

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).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON 9/10/17 ABOUT NOON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON, PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE LOOKING FOR SERVICE PHONE NUMBER, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, EXITED THE CAR, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 10, 2017 · fire

“AFTER A HARD STOP ON HIGHWAY, CAR TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED IN A HIGHER GEAR, THUS ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, AND WAS REAR ENDED, CAR WAS DRIVING AT 5MPH ON THE HIGHWAY FOLLOWING AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE IS A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 21, 2011 · crash

“ON 9/10/17 ABOUT NOON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON, PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE LOOKING FOR SERVICE PHONE NUMBER, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, EXITED THE CAR, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 10, 2017 · fire

“HEAD ON COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, BRAKED, DIRECT IMPACT ABOUT 25 MPH, AIRBAGS DID NOT ENGAGE. DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ON BRAKE OR IMPACT. *JS *DT CONSUMER STATED TRUCKING COMPANY HAS TAKEN STEPS FOR REPAIRS BUT DEALERSHIP MISSED SOME REPAIRS AND TRUCKING COMPANY REFUSING TO PAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 18, 2016 · crash

“ON 9/10/17 ABOUT NOON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON, PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE LOOKING FOR SERVICE PHONE NUMBER, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, EXITED THE CAR, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 10, 2017 · fire

2010 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 541 complaints put the 2010 model at #13 of 33 Altima years. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (81 complaints), transmission (73 complaints), other (71 complaints).

Does the 2010 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.