VehicleVerdict

2010 Nissan Frontier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2010 Nissan Frontier is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 76 owner complaints run below the Frontier median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (25% of the total).

76

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Frontier years?

See all Frontier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Nissan Frontier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1925%
Transmission1621%
Electrical System1013%
Engine912%
Brakes68%
Body & Structure34%
Fuel System34%
Steering23%
Speed Control23%
Tires & Wheels23%
Seats11%
Suspension11%
Seat Belts11%
Other11%

Does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

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

23V067000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2023 · 404,690 units

Defect

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

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.

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.

10E043000OtherSeptember 3, 2010 · 294 units

Defect

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Consequence

AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Remedy

MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

10V372000Child SeatAugust 12, 2010 · 951 units

Defect

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

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.

10E019000SuspensionMay 20, 2010 · 1,873 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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

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

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V208000SuspensionMay 14, 2010 · 41,649 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OR IMPACT AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS, CHEST, AND NECK.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 4, 2017 · crash

I PUT MY 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK INTO FOUR WHEEL LOW TO BACK MY CAMPER INTO ITS PARKING AREA. THE PARKING AREA IS LOCATED AT THE TOP OF A SLIGHT INCLINE. AFTER BACKING THE CAMPER INTO POSITION I PLACED THE TRUCK INTO PARK AND LEFT IT RUNNING WHILE I SECURED THE CAMPER BY PLACING CHOCKS BEHIND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 28, 2011 · crash

DRIVING ON HWY ELECTRICAL CONTROLS STOPPED. SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER,TACHOMETER,FUEL GAUGE STOPPED RESPONDING AND DROPPED TO ZERO OR FROZE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THEN. EVENTUALLY THEY COME BACK ON LINE, BUT DURING THAT TIME YOU MUST DEPEND ON OTHER DRIVERS TO KEEP AT SAFE/LEGAL SPEEDS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 10, 2012

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 13, 2016

NOTICED E-BRAKE NO LONGER HOLDING. TOOK TO LOCAL SHOP. TOLD ME NEED NEW E-BRAKE PADS AND REAR AXLE BEARINGS, SEALS. APPARENTLY BEARING SEALS FAILED AND GEAR OIL SATURATED BRAKE PADS. TOOK TO DEALER TO FIX BEARINGS AND SEALS UNDER WARRANTY (THOUGH THEY CHARGED ME FOR THE BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 20, 2012

2010 Nissan Frontier — common questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Frontier reliable?

It is close to typical for the Frontier: 76 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2010 Frontier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (19 complaints), transmission (16 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints).

Does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Nissan Frontier under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Frontier years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2000, 2022, 2008, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Frontier years belongs to 2026.

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.