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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
100,000 miles · Nov 28, 2014
Electrical System

PROBLEM WITH BATTERY GOING DEAD, I HAVE READ THERE IS A FAULT IN THE BCM NOT BEING PROGRAMMED PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661235

125,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Power Train

I HAVE ALREADY DRAFTED A MORE DETAILED DOCUMENT REFLECTING ALL THE DETAILS EXPERIENCED WITH MY ISSUE IN REGARDS TO PART: TRANSMISSION COOLER, PART #21606-ZX59A; NISSAN ALTIMA 2010. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE EXPLAINED THAT THIS PART IS AN ACCESSORY AND THAT THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, THEN LET…

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I HAVE ALREADY DRAFTED A MORE DETAILED DOCUMENT REFLECTING ALL THE DETAILS EXPERIENCED WITH MY ISSUE IN REGARDS TO PART: TRANSMISSION COOLER, PART #21606-ZX59A; NISSAN ALTIMA 2010. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE EXPLAINED THAT THIS PART IS AN ACCESSORY AND THAT THE CAR CAN BE DRIVEN FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, THEN LETTING THE CAR "COOL DOWN". I RECENTLY DROVE FROM UPPER MARLBORO MD EN ROUTE TO RIVERVIEW(1,000 MILES), FL. WHEN GETTING TO RICHMOND, VA(300 MILES) MY RPM'S JUMPED FROM 2,000 TO 5,000. I BEGAN TO DECELERATE, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN 4 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE I BROKE DOWN. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY NISSAN. THE PART NEEDED IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. CUSTOMER CARE/NISSAN ADVISES THAT THE CAR IS DRIVE-ABLE, BUT FOR NOT LONG PERIODS OF TIME. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS CAR WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT THIS PART. TO THIS DATE, MY CAR IS AT NISSAN IN CHESTER, VA AWAITING THE PART ON A 4 WEEK BACK ORDER TO BE REPAIRED. I WILL NOT JEOPARDIZE MY LIFE BY DRIVING A MALFUNCTIONING CAR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN AND THIS VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS NO ACTION TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS INTO A GOD FORBIDDEN DEVASTATING ACCIDENT. PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS MAJOR CORPORATION INFLICT DAMAGE ON THE PUBLIC! WE TRUST IN YOU TO BE OUR PROTECTOR!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655098

67,500 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THE NISSAN ALTIMA BEING UNABLE TO START WHEN THE REQUIRED BRAKE/START BUTTON IS USED. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AND THE START BUTTON PUSHED, THE ACC LIGHT COMES ON THEN, IF PUSHED AGAIN, THE ON LIGHT COMES ON (OVER THE START BUTTON). THEN WHEN PUSHED AGAIN, THE SY…

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I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THE NISSAN ALTIMA BEING UNABLE TO START WHEN THE REQUIRED BRAKE/START BUTTON IS USED. I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AND THE START BUTTON PUSHED, THE ACC LIGHT COMES ON THEN, IF PUSHED AGAIN, THE ON LIGHT COMES ON (OVER THE START BUTTON). THEN WHEN PUSHED AGAIN, THE SYSTEM SHUTS OFF. BY TRYING SEVERAL TIMES AND PUMPING THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL EVENTUALLY START. SINCE THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE CAR'S PARTS/SYSTEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO HAVE NISSAN REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654887

37,000 miles · Nov 3, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND MY STABILITY CONTROL TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AND I COULD NOT TURN IT BACK ON. AT THE TIME THAT IT TURNED OFF MY PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, EVENTUALLY IT TURNED OFF BUT FLASHED ON TWO MORE TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING UP HILL. I WAS NEVER ABLE TO TURN THE VDC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) BACK…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND MY STABILITY CONTROL TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AND I COULD NOT TURN IT BACK ON. AT THE TIME THAT IT TURNED OFF MY PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, EVENTUALLY IT TURNED OFF BUT FLASHED ON TWO MORE TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING UP HILL. I WAS NEVER ABLE TO TURN THE VDC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL) BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652068

22,000 miles · Nov 2, 2014
Air BagsExterior LightingCrashInjury

THE OTHER DRIVER MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELTS WERE BUCKLED AND THE 2 FRONT AIR BAGS ACTIVATED. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I TRIED VERY HARD TO UNCOVER THE SOURCE OF SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON MY KNEES, ON MY HEAD, AND ON MY NECK. ALSO, MY WIFE RECEIVED SEVERAL SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON HER HEAD AND ON HER…

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THE OTHER DRIVER MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELTS WERE BUCKLED AND THE 2 FRONT AIR BAGS ACTIVATED. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I TRIED VERY HARD TO UNCOVER THE SOURCE OF SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON MY KNEES, ON MY HEAD, AND ON MY NECK. ALSO, MY WIFE RECEIVED SEVERAL SHRAPNEL INJURIES ON HER HEAD AND ON HER BODY. RECENTLY, I REALIZED THAT THESE SHRAPNEL INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY EXPLODING PLASTIC CASINGS AROUND THE SEAT BELTS. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS MINIMALLY INSURED. WITHOUT ANY LAW SUIT, WE GOT A SMALL PARTIAL COMPENSATION FOR THESE INJURIES. THE EXPLODING SEAT BELT BOXES WERE NOT INITIALLY THOUGHT OF. NOW, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE SERIOUSLY HARMED BY SHRAPNEL FROM THESE EXPLODING PLASTIC COVERS...UPDATED 11/17/14 *BF *TF UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10651981

20,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA - MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH PUSH BUTTON START FAILED TO START. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SEEMED FINE. I HAD JUST PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THE ABS, VDC AND SLIP WARNING LIT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING FUSES, KEY FOB BATTERIES, ETC. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. DROVE IMMEDIATE…

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NORFOLK, VIRGINIA - MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH PUSH BUTTON START FAILED TO START. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SEEMED FINE. I HAD JUST PREVIOUSLY NOTICED THE ABS, VDC AND SLIP WARNING LIT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING FUSES, KEY FOB BATTERIES, ETC. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES AND IT FINALLY STARTED. DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND HARNESS WHICH MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $550.00. HE SEEMED TO KNOW WITH OUT OF EVEN LOOKING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WHEN I QUESTIONED HIM ABOUT SUCH AN EXPENSIVE SWITCH, HE ONLY SAID "THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH THIS MODEL." THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED AT NISSAN'S EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648866

70,121 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT DATE WAS ON 8/7/14 BUT ALSO REPORTED 8/23/14 & 9/30/14 AT TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. I WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH FOR 1 HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT, I HAD TO ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE LANE AND SLOWLY DECELERATED T…

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT DATE WAS ON 8/7/14 BUT ALSO REPORTED 8/23/14 & 9/30/14 AT TWO NISSAN DEALERSHIPS. I WAS DRIVING AT 65MPH FOR 1 HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND FELT A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TURNED RIGHT, I HAD TO ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE LANE AND SLOWLY DECELERATED TO A STOP ON THE ROADSIDE WITHOUT IMMEDIATE BRAKING. WHILE BRAKING AT 15-20MPH I APPLIED THE BRAKE WHICH JERKED THE ENTIRE CAR TO THE RIGHT, SUSPENSION WAS STIFF ON PASSENGER FRONT STRUT. THE CAR HAD BARELY 70000 MILES, HAD BEEN UP TO DATE ON SERVICES, WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE STEERING INCIDENT. 8/23/14 THE CAR EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING WITH A "DRAGGING" FEEL AND NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAR SEEMED TO "FLOAT" AND COULD NOT FIND A "STRAIGHT" LINE, EITHER IT TURNED SLIGHTLY LEFT OR SUDDEN RIGHT. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY CONCERNING AND I FELT IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE, TOLD TO INSTALL BRAKE BOOSTER. 9/30/14 UNABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE, UPON START IT WOULD "KNOCK" WHEN PUT INTO GEAR, GRINDING NOISE TO THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE, TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT IF COASTING AT 5MPH. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE ON A TEST DRIVE BUT ADVISED A NEW STEERING RACK, A DIAGNOSIS TO A PROBLEM THAT WAS NOT SEEN IN THE SHOP. ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR LONGER THAN AN HOUR OR AT HIGHWAY SPEED I HAVE LOST STEERING CONTROL. I HAVE HAD MY WIFE WITH ME ON TWO EVENTS, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS, I WILL BE TOWING THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE STEERING, "KNOCK" FROM SUSPENSION AND TRANSMISSION ARE ALL COMPROMISED AND DOCUMENTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641304

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

20,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WAS INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER BEING DRIVEN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VDS, SLIP, AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE PUSH TO START BUTTON WAS INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER BEING DRIVEN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VDS, SLIP, AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DEPRESS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10640002

65,000 miles · Sep 28, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA IS NOT ABLE TO START DUE TO THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION. IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA'S AND ALTIMA ARE HAVING, WHICH IS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). NISSAN HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2009 MODEL BUT NOT FOR THE 2010 AND OTHER ALTIMA MODELS THA…

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MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA IS NOT ABLE TO START DUE TO THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION. IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA'S AND ALTIMA ARE HAVING, WHICH IS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL). NISSAN HAS ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2009 MODEL BUT NOT FOR THE 2010 AND OTHER ALTIMA MODELS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD EXTEND IT COVERAGE TO THIS VITAL PART DUE TO THE COST BEING OVER $700 TO REPLACE AND THE FACT THAT WITHOUT THIS PART, THE CAR CANNOT FUNCTION AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639679

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.

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