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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

What owners actually said

380 reports
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2016
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE INDICATION LIGHT FLASHING. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC THE PROBLEM AND THE RESULT WAS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE IT WAS THE AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION, IT WILL AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IF ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR & TEAR ISSUE. IT IS…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE INDICATION LIGHT FLASHING. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC THE PROBLEM AND THE RESULT WAS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE IT WAS THE AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION, IT WILL AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IF ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR & TEAR ISSUE. IT IS THE MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. I AM AWARE THAT LATER MODELS OF NISSAN'S VEHICLE HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE, NISSAN CORPORATION REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SEAT AT THEIR COST SINCE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL WAS NOT IN THEIR RECALL LIST.

NHTSA ODI #10863286

30,000 miles · Apr 30, 2016
EnginePower Train

MY CAR WAS ONLY 30,000 KM WHEN THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN. AS MY CAR WARMS UP MY ACCELERATION WILL DECREASE. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS AND HAS BEEN AVOIDING TO PUT A RECALL IN PLACE AND INSTEAD STARTED OFF WITH ONLY A EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING TO THEIR CVT PROBLEMS O…

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MY CAR WAS ONLY 30,000 KM WHEN THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN. AS MY CAR WARMS UP MY ACCELERATION WILL DECREASE. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS AND HAS BEEN AVOIDING TO PUT A RECALL IN PLACE AND INSTEAD STARTED OFF WITH ONLY A EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING TO THEIR CVT PROBLEMS ON THE ALTIMA COUPE. I HAVE KNOWN A FEW SENIOR MECHANICS AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE INVESTGATING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ALREADY KNOW IT'S A FAULTY PROBLEM AND THEY ARE TRYING TO AVOID. I HAD A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TRY TO SCARE ME AWAY WHEN I TRIED TO TALK ABOUT WARRANTY. JUST CAUSE I HAD A FEW MINOR MODIFICATION THEY SAID MY WARRANTY IS MOST LIKELY VOIDED BUT THEY ARE ABLE TO CHECK. THEY WERE RIDICULOUSLY TRYING TO CONVICE ME THAT WITH JUST AFTERMARKET WHEELS MY WARRANTY WILL VOID MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I KNOW IN THE US THERE IS CURRENTLY A LAW THAT DOES NOT ALLOW CAR COMPANY TO VOID WARRANTY UNLESS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM DIRECTLY RELATE TO THE MODIFICATION. THE JUDGE MENTION AND STATED THAT CAR COMPANY OFFERS WARRANTY TO HELP PRODUCT CONSUMERS AND NOT SUPPOSE TO GET SCREW OVER FOR IT. THIS IS COMPLETELY ABSURD OF WHAT NISSAN IS DOING. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE CONCERN TO ME DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY ONLY AT 44,000 KM. A FEW ALTIMA COUPE OWNER HAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. O HAVE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING TO MY FAMILY AND I. A ALTIMA COUPE FORUM MEMBER RECENTLY HAD A FAULTY TRANNY AND WAS INVOLVED A HUGE ACCIDENT DUE TO UNEXPECTED DECREASE IN ACCELERATION ON THE HIGHWAY. I THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10862348

145,000 miles · Apr 26, 2016
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE INDICATION LIGHT FLASHING. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC THE PROBLEM AND THE RESULT WAS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE IT WAS THE AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION, IT WILL AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IF ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR & TEAR ISSUE. I…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED THE INDICATION LIGHT FLASHING. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC THE PROBLEM AND THE RESULT WAS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT. SINCE IT WAS THE AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION, IT WILL AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IF ACCIDENT HAPPENS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR & TEAR ISSUE. IT IS THE MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH A LATER MODEL OF NISSAN'S VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE, NISSAN CORPORATION REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SEAT AT THEIR COST SINCE THIS PARTICULAR MODEL WAS NOT IN THEIR RECALL LIST.

NHTSA ODI #10861523

145,000 miles · Apr 12, 2016
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR IS MALFUNCTION. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTION. IT AFFECTS THE FUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG THIS IS NOT A WEAR & TISSUE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE OF THE AIRBAG SENSOR. UPDATED 05/04/16*LJ UPDATED 05/16/16.*JB UPDATED 05/16/16.*JB UPDATED 06/14/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10855044

150,000 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering

THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM IS FAULTY AND WILL NOT LET THE CAR START. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHERE FAILURE OCCURRED. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART BUT NEVER ISSUED A RECALL SO THAT IT COULD BE FIXED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY NISSAN. …

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THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM IS FAULTY AND WILL NOT LET THE CAR START. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHERE FAILURE OCCURRED. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART BUT NEVER ISSUED A RECALL SO THAT IT COULD BE FIXED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY NISSAN. PEOPLE ARE BEING STRANDED BECAUSE THEIR CAR WILL NOT START BUT SEEMS NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM UNTIL THEY ARE STRANDED. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NISSAN HAS ADMITTED IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. I FOR ONE WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. THINGS BREAK, AND PARTS FAIL, BUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS VERY VERY COMMON ON 2009-2011 MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10850911

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2016
Unknown Or Other

MELTED DASH CAUSING LACK OF VISIBILITY DUE TO LIGHT REFLECTS ON DRIVER. COMPLAINT FILED WITH NISSAN AND DENIED.

NHTSA ODI #10840243

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 ALTIMA IS MELTING. I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROCESS FOR 2008 AND 2009 MODELS BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING RELATED TO THE 2010 MODEL YEAR. BESIDES BEING UNSIGHTLY AND ANNOYING AS MANY PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD ARE SOFT…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 ALTIMA IS MELTING. I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROCESS FOR 2008 AND 2009 MODELS BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING RELATED TO THE 2010 MODEL YEAR. BESIDES BEING UNSIGHTLY AND ANNOYING AS MANY PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD ARE SOFT AND PERMANENTLY STICKY IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. IN CERTAIN LIGHTING CONDITIONS THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD REFLECTING OFF THE SHINY MELTING AREAS IS QUITE SIGNIFICANT INDICATED THIS OCCURRED ON 3/1/15 AS A DATE WAS REQUIRED. OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS DETERIORATED OVER TIME AND I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #10840061

93,000 miles · Mar 2, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V358000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10839540

48,000 miles · Feb 22, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND CREATED A GLOSSED FINISH THAT IMPAIRED THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY WHILE THE SUN WAS SHINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR MATERIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND CREATED A GLOSSED FINISH THAT IMPAIRED THE DRIVERS VISIBILITY WHILE THE SUN WAS SHINNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR MATERIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10837572

50,000 miles · Feb 19, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE TAPPED THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A PO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE TAPPED THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10837202

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