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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

Engine complaints

50 reports
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93,000 miles · Jan 10, 2015
Engine

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD AN ERROR P0402 CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTION. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA AND THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT IT AND DOES NOT CARE TO ANYTHING ABOUT IT; HE TOLD ME TO GOOGLE IT AND SEE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS …

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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD AN ERROR P0402 CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTION. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA AND THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT IT AND DOES NOT CARE TO ANYTHING ABOUT IT; HE TOLD ME TO GOOGLE IT AND SEE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS. I DID JUST THAT AND WAS AMAZED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE WERE. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY WON'T FIX IT FOR FEAR OF MAKING IT WORSE AND TOLD ME TO GET RID OF THE CAR!. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671562

100,125 miles · Dec 8, 2014
EnginePower Train

I WAS OWNER 2010 ALTIMA .THE UNDER EXCELLENT MAINTAIN.WHEN I BUY THIS .WE WORRY ABOUT CVT TRANSMISSION WEAK AND BUY 100K MILE WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY OVER 125 MILE OF 100 K THE TRANSMISSION FAIL. AND TOWING TO DEALER .THE DEALER DIAGNOSE CVT FAIL BUT NISSAN REFUSE DEALER REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND REQUEST DEALER REPLACE TCM(TRANS…

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I WAS OWNER 2010 ALTIMA .THE UNDER EXCELLENT MAINTAIN.WHEN I BUY THIS .WE WORRY ABOUT CVT TRANSMISSION WEAK AND BUY 100K MILE WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY OVER 125 MILE OF 100 K THE TRANSMISSION FAIL. AND TOWING TO DEALER .THE DEALER DIAGNOSE CVT FAIL BUT NISSAN REFUSE DEALER REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND REQUEST DEALER REPLACE TCM(TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE) FIRST.THAT WASTE MY TIME .10 DAYS IN DEALER SHOP STILL NOT ANY RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662711

31,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
EnginePower Train

AFTER PURCHASING THIS USED 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN 2012, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING PART OF A GIRL'S SOCCER TEAM TO REDDING, CA. THE CAR PERFORMED WELL ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WHEN WE REACHED REDDING FROM OUR HOME TOWN APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 HOURS AWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AT A SLOW SPEED. IT LIMPED TO A PARKI…

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AFTER PURCHASING THIS USED 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM A LOCAL DEALER IN 2012, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING PART OF A GIRL'S SOCCER TEAM TO REDDING, CA. THE CAR PERFORMED WELL ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WHEN WE REACHED REDDING FROM OUR HOME TOWN APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 HOURS AWAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AT A SLOW SPEED. IT LIMPED TO A PARKING LOT, WHERE WE WERE UNABLE TO START IT FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS. SINCE THEN, IT HAS INTERMITTENTLY STALLED, USUALLY IN VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES, AFTER DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AN HOUR OR TWO. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT BUT WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T ASCERTAIN THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO A TRUSTED TRANSMISSION MECHANIC, AND OUR OWN MECHANIC, WHO CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM. I REPORTED IT TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY PEOPLE OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THEM NOR HAVE I SEEN ANY ATTEMPT BY THEM TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH MANY ATTEST TO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640651

63,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

WHEN YOU TRY TO START VEHICLE YOU PUSH ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL DOESN'T GO DOWN 1/16 OF AN INCH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WONT EVEN COME ON. IF YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON IT WILL ONLY GO TO THE ACCESSORY THEN OFF. WHEN I ASKED SERVICE MANAGER AT NELSON NISSAN IN BROKEN ARROW, OK AND I QUOTE "HE SAID YOU HAD TO HAVE KEY ON BEFORE …

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WHEN YOU TRY TO START VEHICLE YOU PUSH ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE PEDAL DOESN'T GO DOWN 1/16 OF AN INCH. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WONT EVEN COME ON. IF YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON IT WILL ONLY GO TO THE ACCESSORY THEN OFF. WHEN I ASKED SERVICE MANAGER AT NELSON NISSAN IN BROKEN ARROW, OK AND I QUOTE "HE SAID YOU HAD TO HAVE KEY ON BEFORE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON"... I AM LIKE REALLY!!! THE BRAKE LIGHTS UMM NO THEY SHOULD COME ON ANYTIME YOU PUSH THE BRAKE IF THE KEY IS ON OR NOT. PLEASE HELP US AMERICAN'S AND OTHER HARD WORKING TAX PAYING PEOPLE GET OUR CARS FIXED. WE PAID GOOD HARD EARNED MONEY FOR THEM AND NOW ALL WE HAVE IN A LEMON IN ARE GARAGE. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOU TIME, GOD BLESS YOU! AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638829

108,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Engine

GO INTO MY CAR AFTER WORK DROVE TO THE HIGHWAY WHICH WAS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. MERGED INTO TRAFFIC THE CAR WAS STUCK AT 40 MPH AND BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED TIL EVENTUALLY THE CAR JUST STOPPED. LUCKILY I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON TO SHOULDER AND AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638638

40,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
EnginePower Train

MY WIFE JUST PHONED TO TELL ME THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED-AGAIN- LEAVING HER STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT IN A BAD PART OF HOUSTON (SW). THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER IN ANGLETON, TEXAS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IN DECEMBER OF 2014 THEY INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER,THINKING IT'S AN OVERHEATING PROB…

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MY WIFE JUST PHONED TO TELL ME THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED-AGAIN- LEAVING HER STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT IN A BAD PART OF HOUSTON (SW). THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER IN ANGLETON, TEXAS FOR THIS PROBLEM. IN DECEMBER OF 2014 THEY INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER,THINKING IT'S AN OVERHEATING PROBLEM. MY WIFE STATED SHES GLAD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY AS IT MIGHT HAD CAUSED A COLLISION WITH POSSIBLE DEATH,ETC. NISSAN HAS NOT RESOLVED THESE CVT ISSUES AND YOU-NHTSA- HAVE NOT FORCED THEM TO DO SO EITHER. WHEN THE CVT FAILS YOU LOSE POWER AS IT GOES INTO A DEFAULT MODE. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSES LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND ABILITY TO MOVE OUT OF HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS. THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO PARK THE CAR AND WAIT FOR IT TO COOL,THUS RESETTING THE DEFAULT MODE. AT THIS POINT NISSAN HAS ADVISED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR A CODE SCAN. THIS IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH THAT I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR IN WITH THE INTENTION OF GETTING RID OF IT!!! I WILL TRADE IT IN FOR A TOYOTA CAMRY BUT UNFORTUNATELY SOME OTHER PERSON WILL BE STUCK WITH THE SAME DANGEROUS CVT ISSUES AND COULD ALSO BE KILLED OR INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT FORCED NISSAN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO YOU OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629452

52,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Engine

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO POWER ON HOWEVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE…

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TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO POWER ON HOWEVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10617230

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10596182

35,500 miles · May 1, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,500.

NHTSA ODI #10585982

40,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING. ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURNOVER. AT FIRST I COULD GET IT TO START AFTER A FEW TRIES (I WOULD PUMP THE BRAKES, SLAM THE CAR HOOD, BANG ON THE STEERING WHEEL). THEN I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VDS (TRACTION CONTROL), ABS AND PARKING…

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MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING. ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURNOVER. AT FIRST I COULD GET IT TO START AFTER A FEW TRIES (I WOULD PUMP THE BRAKES, SLAM THE CAR HOOD, BANG ON THE STEERING WHEEL). THEN I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VDS (TRACTION CONTROL), ABS AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THIS MEANT THAT MY VDS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AND AS SUCH I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES ON WET SURFACES. ON 4/22/2014 I TRIED STARTING MY CAR AND COULD NOT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP (ORR NISSAN IN CORINTH TEXAS) WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT IT REQUIRED A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, HARNESS AND BAND HOSES. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS A NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN AS THIS WAS A "KNOWN ISSUE". SO MUCH SO THAT NISSAN HAD ACTUALLY DEVELOPED A MORE DEPENDABLE BRAKE SWITCH. THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER IS NTB10-139- WHICH WAS RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 23RD 2010. HE TOLD ME TO REPAIR IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER 500.00. THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT CAUSES THE CAR TO THROW ERROR CODES WHICH DEACTIVATES THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN A RECALL? WHY IS A DEALERSHIP CHARGING 500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR A MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENT THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS RELEASED, THE MANUFACTURE ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS FAULTY? FURTHERMORE, BASED ON MY CALCULATIONS THE DEALERSHIP IS PUTTING A 300% MARK UP ON THE PARTS REQUIRED. WHY WOULD THE NHTSA WAIT UNTIL SOMEBODY DIES IN A CRASH CAUSED BY THE VDS AND ABS FEATURES NOT WORKING BEFORE THEY FORCE A RECALL/REPAIR OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE? I AM SENDING A COPY OF THIS TO LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584732

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