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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
52,000 miles · Apr 17, 2014
SeatsCrashInjury

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND MY CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING BACKWARDS WHEN IT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A DITCH. WHEN THE REAR OF THE CAR ENTERED THE DITCH THE IMPACT WAS SIGNIFICANT AND MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK WENT ALL THE WAY BACK. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIF…

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND MY CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING BACKWARDS WHEN IT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A DITCH. WHEN THE REAR OF THE CAR ENTERED THE DITCH THE IMPACT WAS SIGNIFICANT AND MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK WENT ALL THE WAY BACK. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DEFECT, BECAUSE THE SEAT BACK AND SEAT BELT SHOULD KEEP THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS STILL AS POSSIBLE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSING BACKWARDS IS INTENDED BY THE DESIGN. WHEN I WENT TO VIEW THE CAR AND RETRIEVE MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS, I TRIED TO BRING THE SEAT BACK TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION, BUT THE LEVER WAS BENT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE LIFTED IN ORDER TO BRING THE SEAT BACK UP. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE BENT LEVER AND THE POSITION OF THE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10583260

35,000 miles · Mar 27, 2014
Air Bags

MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT FLICKERS WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING OR EVEN AN ADULT IS SITTING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT WAS COMMON FOR IT FLICKER BASED ON THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. NOW, I SEE THAT 2013 - 2014 HAVE HAD A RECALL WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575107

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2014
Air Bags

DEAR SIR OR MADAM --' MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES NISSAN ANNOUNCED TODAY, 3/26/2014, IN LATER MODELS (2013-2014). THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY ON NISSAN VEHICLES IS MORE WIDESPREAD--AND COVERS MANY MORE YEARS--THAN NISSAN HAS STATED. HTTP://WWW.USA…

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DEAR SIR OR MADAM --' MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA SUFFERS FROM THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ISSUES NISSAN ANNOUNCED TODAY, 3/26/2014, IN LATER MODELS (2013-2014). THIS SUGGESTS THAT THE FAILURE OF AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY ON NISSAN VEHICLES IS MORE WIDESPREAD--AND COVERS MANY MORE YEARS--THAN NISSAN HAS STATED. HTTP://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/MONEY/CARS/2014/03/26/NISSAN-RECALL-AIR-BAGS-ALTIMA-SENTRA-LEAF/6902937/ THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575012

24,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior LightingCrashInjury

THE LACK OF LIGHTING INDICATOR MAKES THAT CAR VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT DUSK & DAWN TIMES. THE DASH BOARD IS SLIGHTLY LESS LIT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THE DRIVER WOULD NOT KNOW WHETHER THE BOARD LIGHT IS IN THE "MORE" OR THE "LESS" STATUS. UNLIKE IN OLDER CARS, THE DASH BOARD IS NOT DARK WHEN THE LIGHT IS NOT ON SO THAT THE DRI…

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THE LACK OF LIGHTING INDICATOR MAKES THAT CAR VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT DUSK & DAWN TIMES. THE DASH BOARD IS SLIGHTLY LESS LIT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THE DRIVER WOULD NOT KNOW WHETHER THE BOARD LIGHT IS IN THE "MORE" OR THE "LESS" STATUS. UNLIKE IN OLDER CARS, THE DASH BOARD IS NOT DARK WHEN THE LIGHT IS NOT ON SO THAT THE DRIVER IS ALERTED. THIS IS A MAJOR HUMAN FACTOR DEFECT. IT IS THE CAUSE OF COLLISIONS AT TIMES OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITH UTMOST QUALIFICATIONS IN HUMAN RELIABILITY ANALYSES(HRA). FOR A PERIOD OF 9 YEARS, I WAS THE ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF A LARGE INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF HRA ENGINEERS RESPONSIBLE FOR MINIMIZING HUMAN ERRORS AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. OUR CAR WAS TOTALED. MY WIFE HAD 4 BROKEN RIBS. I HAD SEVERAL INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573411

38,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

MOST OF THE 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA CARS DO HAVE A PUSH BUTTON FOR THE IGNITION TO START. IN ORDER TO START THE CAR'S ENGINE, THE DRIVER WOULD NEED TO LIGHTLY PRESS THE BRAKES BEFORE PRESSING THE BUTTON. I PURCHASED THE BRAND-NEW CAR BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2010 AND I AM STILL THE ONLY OWNER. IN FEBRUARY 2014 WITH APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILE…

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MOST OF THE 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA CARS DO HAVE A PUSH BUTTON FOR THE IGNITION TO START. IN ORDER TO START THE CAR'S ENGINE, THE DRIVER WOULD NEED TO LIGHTLY PRESS THE BRAKES BEFORE PRESSING THE BUTTON. I PURCHASED THE BRAND-NEW CAR BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2010 AND I AM STILL THE ONLY OWNER. IN FEBRUARY 2014 WITH APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES, THE IGNITION STARTED TO STOP WORKING. AFTER A FEW STRUGGLES, THE IGNITION BUTTON WOULD FINALLY ALLOW ME TO START THE ENGINE. THEN THE PROBLEM GRADUALLY GOT WORSE. I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD SUCK IN SO HARD THAT I WOULD BE UNABLE TO "PRESS" THE BRAKES ANYMORE IN ORDER FOR THE IGNITION BUTTON TO "ENABLE" SO I CAN START THE ENGINE. AT ONE POINT LAST WEEK, THE CAR REFUSED TO START BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES AND I WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING BUT TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH THE CAR BACK AND FORTH IN THE MIDDLE OF A MCDONALD'S DRIVE-THRU ROUTE IN BALTIMORE, MD. MY ROOMMATE HAD TO TAKE LEAVE IN ORDER TO COME AND HELP ME OUT. AFTER 2 HOURS OF STRUGGLING, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE "BRAKES LIGHT" ON AND THE IGNITION WOULD FINALLY BECOME ENABLED AND WE WERE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. WE DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN BOWIE, MD AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED. NISSAN ABOUT THIS AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MANY DRIVERS AND THAT THE "BRAKE SWITCH" IS CAUSING IT. AT THE END, MY WARRANTY COMPANY HAD TO PAY MORE THAN $800 AND I HAD TO PAY ALMOST $300 OUT OF MY POCKET JUST FOR THIS ISSUE. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND SAW SO MANY DRIVERS ARE COMPLAINING THE SAME THING AND THAT NISSAN IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS BECAUSE THEY KNEW IT IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" THAT THEY COULD MAKE A PROFIT OUT OF THE REPAIRS CHARGES. MANY DRIVERS HAD TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $1,000 JUST FOR THIS "COMMON ISSUE" AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT NHTSA & DOT ARE AWARE OF THIS ONGOING ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569419

25,000 miles · Feb 7, 2014
Structure

NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN 2010 SL (LEATHER) WITH CVT TRANSMISSION; AFTER DRIVING WITH THE AC ON DURING HEAT WAVE I NOTICED WATER ON DRIVER/PASSENGER FLOOR DRIPPING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE. I RARELY USE THE AC RATHER HAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE (THIS SITE AS WELL WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINT) AND BRING TO A NISSAN DEALER TH…

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NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN 2010 SL (LEATHER) WITH CVT TRANSMISSION; AFTER DRIVING WITH THE AC ON DURING HEAT WAVE I NOTICED WATER ON DRIVER/PASSENGER FLOOR DRIPPING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE. I RARELY USE THE AC RATHER HAVE THE WINDOWS OPEN. AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE (THIS SITE AS WELL WITH ANOTHER COMPLAINT) AND BRING TO A NISSAN DEALER THEY INDICATED THE AC (CONDENSATION) DRIP PAN DRAIN/TUBE MAY BE CLOGGED OR THE SUNROOF DRAINS MAY BE CLOGGED. THEY INDICATED THAT THE CABIN AIR FILTER MAY HAVE DEPOSITED DEBRIS AND DIRT INTO THE AC PAN CAUSING IT TO CLOG... NISSAN NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OR SEAL THE PAN NEXT TO THE CABIN FILTER SO NOTHING CAN BE TRANSFERRED OR MOVED TO THE FILTER/AREA TO THE NEARBY DRAINS. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE CABIN FILTER REPLACED BY A REPAIR CENTER SPRING 2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563433

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10562718

22,000 miles · Jan 9, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS MELTING. THERE IS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD NOW MAKING IT HARDER TO SEE. NISSAN REFUSED TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559187

31,000 miles · Jan 5, 2014
EnginePower Train

WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR CARS CVT TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2010. THE TRANSMISSION, WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, GOES INTO A SAFE MODE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO LOOSE ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US SEVERAL TIMES,USUALLY AFTER LONG TRIPS (70 MILES OR MORE) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN PA…

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WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR CARS CVT TRANSMISSION SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2010. THE TRANSMISSION, WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, GOES INTO A SAFE MODE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO LOOSE ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US SEVERAL TIMES,USUALLY AFTER LONG TRIPS (70 MILES OR MORE) AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN PARKING LOTS OR JUST STOPPING TO MAKE A TURN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE NISSAN DEALER 2-TIMES AND BOTH TIMES THEY REMOVED OIL,CLAIMING THE EXCESS OIL CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO OVERHEAT WHICH PUT IT INTO THE SAFE MODE. ON DEC. 31,2013 WE WERE ON A RETURN TRIP OF 70 MILES OR SO WHEN WE EXITED THE FREEWAY. WE CAME TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE,THE TRANSMISSION ONCE AGAIN WENT IN THE SAFE MODE,HINDERING OUR ABILITY TO ACCELERATE ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. WE SLOWLY DROVE THE SHORT DISTANCE HOME PARKING THE CAR. IN THE PAST,WE PARKED THE CAR ALLOWING IT TO COOL SO IT WOULD "RESET" BUT THIS TIME THE CAR REMAINED IN THE SAFE MODE THE NEXT DAY. WE HAD IT TOWED TO NISSAN. NISSAN CLAIMS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND OUR CAR IS READY FOR PICKUP. THIS TRANSMISSION FAILS WITHOUT WARNING AND UPON DOING SO MAKES IT ACCELERATE VERY,VERY SLOWLY WHICH PUTS US IN GRAVE DANGER. I WILL NOT PUT MY GRAND KIDS IN THIS DEATH TRAP NOR DOES MY WIFE WANT TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE SEEN THE MANY,MANY INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME CVT PROBLEM. IF I OR MY WIFE GET KILLED TRYING TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS,THIS WILL BE THE REASON WHY. WHEN I PICK UP OUR CAR JAN 6TH,2014,I PLAN TO DRIVE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO SEEK A TRADE IN ON A CAMRY. THIS NISSAN IS GOING TO GET PEOPLE KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558525

68,000 miles · Jan 4, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR WILL CLOSE PROPERLY DUE TO FAILED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558451

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