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2010 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

271 reports with mileage · 109 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports9 fire reports20 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

74 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2019
Electrical System

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS AREN'T WORKING. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR SWITCHES. THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WILL LOCK WITH THE FOB AND SWITCH, BUT IT WON'T UNLOCK. DRIVERS SIDE HAS TO BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11288706

99,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK

NHTSA ODI #11232165

220,000 miles · Oct 29, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 20MPH TO 40MPH THE RPMS INCREASE TO 3RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO CHANGE THE GEAR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010. IT HAS 220,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW THIS US A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. NISSAN ALSO S…

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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 20MPH TO 40MPH THE RPMS INCREASE TO 3RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO CHANGE THE GEAR. IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW IN 2010. IT HAS 220,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND SAW THIS US A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. NISSAN ALSO SENT OUT A BULLETIN NTB10-121B. THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE ISSUE AT THEIR COST. ATTACHED IS THE PDF OF THE BULLETIN.

NHTSA ODI #11143642

114,000 miles · Aug 14, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING, NOT JUST ME. (SEE NHTSA ID # 10899578). I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES, SOMETIMES WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT IS THE CAR TURNS OFF COMPLET…

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2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING, NOT JUST ME. (SEE NHTSA ID # 10899578). I HAVE ALMOST BEEN REAR-ENDED SEVERAL TIMES, SOMETIMES WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT IS THE CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE COMING TO STOP, WHEN STOPPED, AND/OR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP. ALL SYSTEMS TURN OFF INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO STEER AND STOP. AFTER TURNING OFF, THE CAR WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY TURN BACK ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, SINCE IT HAD A RECALL AND WAS UNDER WARRANTY, TO SEE IF IT FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT, AS THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF THIS MORNING, 8/14/18, WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON A MAIN CITY STREET. I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BECAUSE THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY TURNED OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT SEEM TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE CAR DID NOT TURN BACK ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL OF THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11119878

24,524 miles · Jun 6, 2018
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. ORIGINAL BATTERY WENT DEAD IN 2012, ADDITIONAL BATTERIES INSTALLED IN 2013, 2014, 2015 BY THE DEALER AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. AAA INSTALLED BATTERIES IN 2016 AND MAY OF 2018., I DID NOT GO BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER TOLD ME FIRST TIME WAS DUE TO THE WEATHER, THEN THEY TOLD ME I WAS NOT PUTTING ENOUGH M…

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VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. ORIGINAL BATTERY WENT DEAD IN 2012, ADDITIONAL BATTERIES INSTALLED IN 2013, 2014, 2015 BY THE DEALER AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. AAA INSTALLED BATTERIES IN 2016 AND MAY OF 2018., I DID NOT GO BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER TOLD ME FIRST TIME WAS DUE TO THE WEATHER, THEN THEY TOLD ME I WAS NOT PUTTING ENOUGH MILES ON MY CAR, THEY INSTALLED A LARGER BATTERY AND THIS ONE ALSO WENT DEAD. I DID TELL THE DEALER THIS WAS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME I TRAVEL ALONE BOTH IN-STATE AND OUT-OF STATE, IF MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY THIS IS WHEN THE DEALER INSTALLED A LARGER BATTERY AND THIS ONE ALSO WENT DEAD. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BY THE DEALER AND MECHANIC SHOWED NOTHING BUT SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS CAUSING SO MANY BATTERIES TO GO DEAD..I ALSO TOLD NISSAN USA THIS WAS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. NISSAN USA TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS WHICH I ALREADY KNEW AND THEY WOULD NOT DO A BUYBACK OR REPAIR. BECAUSE OUT OF WARRANTY, THIS THEY HAD OFFERED TO CHECK INTO FOR ME, PLUS THE DEALER NEVER OFFERED THIS TO ME AFTER REPLACING SO MANY BATTERIES. ALL I HAVE FOR BACKUP ARE MY RECEIPTS WHICH I DIDN'T ATTACH, IF NEEDED PLEASE LET ME KNOW. MECHANIC DID TELL ME IF BATTERY GOES DEAD AGAIN TO GIVE HIM A CALL AND HE WOULD COME TO TRY AND SEE IF HE COULD FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE BATTERY WENT DEAD ON A SATURDAY AND FOUND OUT WHEN I CALLED MONDAY HE ALSO GOT MARRIED OVER THIS WEEKEND AND WAS ON HIS HONEYMOON, BUT MONDAY THEY HAD MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS. I AM THANKFUL SO FAR MY CAR AND NOT GONE DEAD WHEN DRIVING. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11100154

138,025 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DISINTEGRATED AND THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILL NISSAN (6401 CYPRESS GA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DISINTEGRATED AND THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILL NISSAN (6401 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, WINTER HAVEN, FL 33884, (863) 299-2161) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND THE HVAC WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,025. *TT *AS

NHTSA ODI #11073272

61,065 miles · Oct 28, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or OtherFire

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.

NHTSA ODI #11040789

102,000 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Electrical System

WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND THE CAR DOES NOT TURN BACK ON. TO TURN THE CAR IN CAN TAKE AN UPWARDS OF 15 MIN OF FIGHTING WITH THE WHEEL. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ESCL.

NHTSA ODI #11011626

101,224 miles · Jun 23, 2017
Electrical System

JUST FILED COMPLAINT # 11000784. FOUND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INTERNET DATED MARCH 7, 2017 - "NISSAN ALTIMA AND MAXIMA STEERING LOCK PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED FOR FREE AFTER THE AUTOMAKER ANNOUNCED A 'SERVICE CAMPAIGN' FOR 243,000 MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID AND MAXIMA CARS. ALTHOUGH NOT A R…

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JUST FILED COMPLAINT # 11000784. FOUND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INTERNET DATED MARCH 7, 2017 - "NISSAN ALTIMA AND MAXIMA STEERING LOCK PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED FOR FREE AFTER THE AUTOMAKER ANNOUNCED A 'SERVICE CAMPAIGN' FOR 243,000 MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN ALTIMA, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID AND MAXIMA CARS. ALTHOUGH NOT A RECALL, THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN WILL FIX STEERING LOCKS (ECLS) THAT LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE ALTIMA AND MAXIMA CARS ARE PARKED AND TURNED OFF. HOWEVER, THOSE STEERING LOCKS HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND CAN LEAVE OWNERS AND THEIR CARS SITTING IN PARKING LOTS OR DRIVEWAYS." "NISSAN HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK WITH AN ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX AT NO CHARGE FOR PARTS AND LABOR, A JOB THAT SHOULD TAKE AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER ABOUT AN HOUR TO COMPLETE." "THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN BOX WILL REPLACE THE ESCL ASSEMBLY BUT WILL NO LONGER LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE AUTOMAKER SAYS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING FUNCTION IS NOT NECESSARY BECAUSE THE ALTIMA AND MAXIMA ARE EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-THEFT IMMOBILIZERS TO HELP PREVENT THEFT." "IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR REPAIRS TO THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK, NISSAN WILL REIMBURSE WHAT YOU SPENT AS LONG AS YOU CAN SHOW PROOF OF REPAIRS. IF THOSE REPAIRS WERE ABOVE $1,000., YOU'LL NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR." PLEASE ADD THIS TO COMPLAINT #11000784 FILED A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE THIS ONE.

NHTSA ODI #11000790

101,224 miles · Jun 23, 2017
Electrical System

KEY FOB IS INSERTED IN SLOT AND ALL LIGHTS AND GUAGES WILL LIGHT UP, WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN, DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, BUT WHEN BRAKE DEPRESSED AND START PUSH BUTTON IS PRESSED CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY LESS THAT 6 MONTHS OLD (JUST REPLACED IN ATTEMPT TO FIX PROBLEM). BRAKE SWITCH JUST REPLACED IN ADDITIONAL ATTEMPT TO FIX P…

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KEY FOB IS INSERTED IN SLOT AND ALL LIGHTS AND GUAGES WILL LIGHT UP, WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN, DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, BUT WHEN BRAKE DEPRESSED AND START PUSH BUTTON IS PRESSED CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY LESS THAT 6 MONTHS OLD (JUST REPLACED IN ATTEMPT TO FIX PROBLEM). BRAKE SWITCH JUST REPLACED IN ADDITIONAL ATTEMPT TO FIX PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALER IN ST. LOUIS LISTS THIS AS A RECALL FOR 2010 MODELS, DEALER IN MARION, IL SAYS IT IS NOT. MARION DEALER REPLACED TWO PARTS [24167-ZX00J HARNESS -SUB] AND [25320-JN00A SWITCH ASSY-STOP LAMP] AT COST TO CUSTOMER OF $567. FOR PARTS AND LABOR. CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. DEALER STATED THAT ON "TSB" THEY "FOUND SIMILAR CONCERNS" AND ADDITIONAL PARTS NEED TO BE INSTALLED LISTED IN PROCEDURE," AND "CONFIRMED POWER IS SWITCHING AT BCM BUT NOT ENGAGING STARTER NEED TO REPLACE BCM AND DIAG FURTHER - QUOTED CUSTOMER $569.35 TO REPLACE BCM TO FIX OTHER CONCERN" (CAPITALIZATION PER DEALER). I DECLINED. CAR WAS STATIONARY IN DEALER SHOP. I HAVE TRIED TO SPEAK WITH CORPORATE NISSAN, BUT HAVE NOT HAD ANY SATISFACTION. MY PERSONAL MECHANIC (HAS MASTERS DEGREE IN AUTO MECHANICS) SAYS IT IS A RECALL PROBLEM WITH RECALL LISTED ON INTERNET IN MARCH, APRIL AND MAY. DATE GIVEN BELOW IS REPAIR ATTEMPT AT DEALER. ## VIN PASSED ## NISSAN ALTIMA 2010 ##

NHTSA ODI #11000784

Official recalls

3

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.

10V193000 · Structure

May 7, 2010

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 & remedy

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.

09V358000 · Suspension

Sep 16, 2009

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 & remedy

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).

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems