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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.

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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
60,500 miles · Jan 2, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

RUNNING TO ABOUT 60 OR 62 MPH MY VEHICLE DECELERATED REPEATEDLY AT THE HIGHWAY,I WAS PUSHING THE PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED,I HAD TO EXIT TO THE SHOULDER AND TURN IT OFF AND WAIT FOR A ABOUT TEN MIN. AFTER THAT I TURN ON THE ENGINE AND COULD CONTINUE MY WAY NORMALLY,NEVER PASS AGAIN BUT ITS WEIR BECAUSE ITS RELATIVE A NEW CAR. …

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RUNNING TO ABOUT 60 OR 62 MPH MY VEHICLE DECELERATED REPEATEDLY AT THE HIGHWAY,I WAS PUSHING THE PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED,I HAD TO EXIT TO THE SHOULDER AND TURN IT OFF AND WAIT FOR A ABOUT TEN MIN. AFTER THAT I TURN ON THE ENGINE AND COULD CONTINUE MY WAY NORMALLY,NEVER PASS AGAIN BUT ITS WEIR BECAUSE ITS RELATIVE A NEW CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558162

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2013
Power Train

AFTER, DRIVING FOR ABOUT 2HRS, TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS STOP AND GO FOR AN HOUR. ONCE TRAFFIC FINALLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. I GOT OFF ON THE NEAREST EXIT, PULLED INTO A VACANT LOT TO LET THE CAR COOL DOWN,5…

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AFTER, DRIVING FOR ABOUT 2HRS, TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WAS STOP AND GO FOR AN HOUR. ONCE TRAFFIC FINALLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, BUT WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. I GOT OFF ON THE NEAREST EXIT, PULLED INTO A VACANT LOT TO LET THE CAR COOL DOWN,5MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556321

26,500 miles · Nov 29, 2013
Visibility/wiper

WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER ON AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE NEAR 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A CRACK ON ITS OWN THAT SUBSEQUENTLY INCREASED IN SIZE TO ABOUT 12 INCHES LONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554142

97,610 miles · Nov 21, 2013
Power Train

THE CAR SEEMS TO BE SENDING A SIGNAL TO "SHIFT" EVEN THOUGH I AM GOING A STEADY SPEED AND THERE IS NO NEED TO SHIFT. THIS CREATES A "JERKING" MOTION. I'VE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING CONSISTENTLY AT 60 MPH BUT ALSO AT 65, 70, AND 75 MPH. SOMETIMES EVEN AT 45 MPH. THE MORE "WARMED UP" THE CAR IS, THE STRONGER THE JERKING M…

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THE CAR SEEMS TO BE SENDING A SIGNAL TO "SHIFT" EVEN THOUGH I AM GOING A STEADY SPEED AND THERE IS NO NEED TO SHIFT. THIS CREATES A "JERKING" MOTION. I'VE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING CONSISTENTLY AT 60 MPH BUT ALSO AT 65, 70, AND 75 MPH. SOMETIMES EVEN AT 45 MPH. THE MORE "WARMED UP" THE CAR IS, THE STRONGER THE JERKING MOTION AND THE MORE FREQUENTLY THIS ISSUE OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553169

49,675 miles · Nov 18, 2013
Service Brakes

I NOTICED WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH WERE GOING ON FOR BRAKES BUT BRAKES WERE WORKING.BROUGHT TO NISSAN DEALER FOR CHECK. I WAS TOLD MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO BOOSTER AND THAT IT HAD TO BE CHANGED .COST $483...AT 49000 MILES THIS SEEMED TO BE TOO SOON FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. DEALER KNEW ABOUT IT AT WRITEUP IN SERVICE DRIVE …

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I NOTICED WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH WERE GOING ON FOR BRAKES BUT BRAKES WERE WORKING.BROUGHT TO NISSAN DEALER FOR CHECK. I WAS TOLD MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO BOOSTER AND THAT IT HAD TO BE CHANGED .COST $483...AT 49000 MILES THIS SEEMED TO BE TOO SOON FOR THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. DEALER KNEW ABOUT IT AT WRITEUP IN SERVICE DRIVE THROUGH., BUT SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552762

300 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobility

THE LIGHT INDICATING "AIRBAG OFF" FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN AN ADULT (140 LB) PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE OCCURRENCE IS APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE TIME AND OCCURS AT ANY SPEED, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THIS ERROR HAS PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED NEW…

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THE LIGHT INDICATING "AIRBAG OFF" FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN AN ADULT (140 LB) PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE OCCURRENCE IS APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE TIME AND OCCURS AT ANY SPEED, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THIS ERROR HAS PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (PURCHASED NEW IN 2010), BUT THE DEALERSHIPS WE VISITED INSIST THAT THE SYSTEM COMPLIES WITH THEIR ELECTRICAL TESTS, EVEN THOUGH WE SHOWED THEM PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE "AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT TAKEN BY A PASSENGER WHILE SITTING IN THIS SEAT. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE MADE TO ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS LIFE-THREATENING ERROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551401

41,287 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

IF I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THE CAR STARTED, WILL I SOON HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP?????? VEHICLE NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO 6/15/2013. JUST THOUGHT THE KEY NEEDED TO BE CHARGED. BUT ON THIS DATE I PULL UP AT A HOTEL, CHECKED IN AND WENT TO MOVE THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. SAT F…

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IF I HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THE CAR STARTED, WILL I SOON HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP?????? VEHICLE NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO 6/15/2013. JUST THOUGHT THE KEY NEEDED TO BE CHARGED. BUT ON THIS DATE I PULL UP AT A HOTEL, CHECKED IN AND WENT TO MOVE THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. SAT FOR AN HOUR OR TWO. REPLACED BATTERY A FEW WEEKS PRIOR SO IT WASN'T THAT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO A PEPBOYS. TOO LATE FOR A DEALERSHIP, A SATURDAY EVENING, AND I WAS OVER 5 HOURS FROM HOME. THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF ACROSS FROM THE BAYS THEREFORE THEY WERE UNABLE TO CONNECT THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. AFTER SETTING FOR A COUPLE MORE HOURS IT FINALLY CRANK. THEY SAID IT WAS THE STARTER, AS OF TODAY I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE STARTER. IN AUGUST IT DID IT AGAIN TWICE WHILE MY 16 YR WAS DRIVING IT TO SCHOOL. A COUPLE OF TIMES IN SEPTEMBER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 10/14/2013, THEIR DIAGNOSIS WERE: REPLACE BRAKE SW, SUB HARNESS, AND TIE STRAPS. AND NOW ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS WANT START WITHOUT PUMPING THE BRAKES. I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES THE CAR NOW BECAUSE I'M AFRAID OF THE BRAKES EVENTUALLY GIVING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550064

33,000 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

THIS VEHICLE STALLS OR LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING LONG TRIPS, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER DURING PROLONGED DRIVING (SEVERAL HOURS). IT SEEMS TO DO WELL IF KEPT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, BUT AS SOON AS THE CAR MAKES A STOP OR SLOWS DOWN, IT COMPLETELY STALLS OR ACCELERATES WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY AT INSUFFICIENT SPEE…

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THIS VEHICLE STALLS OR LOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN DURING LONG TRIPS, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER DURING PROLONGED DRIVING (SEVERAL HOURS). IT SEEMS TO DO WELL IF KEPT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, BUT AS SOON AS THE CAR MAKES A STOP OR SLOWS DOWN, IT COMPLETELY STALLS OR ACCELERATES WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY AT INSUFFICIENT SPEED. IT IS A DANGEROUS TRAFFIC HAZARD. THE NISSAN DEALER EXPRESSED SURPRISE WHEN I CALLED HIM REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A BATCH OF POOR GASOLINE. AFTER WE EXPERIENCE ANOTHER POWER FAILURE, WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER RUNNING TESTS, OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, BUT WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION ANALYZED AND SERVICED, AND THE BATTERY CABLES CHECKED. THE CAR RECENTLY LOST POWER AGAIN ON A TRIP FROM MONTANA TO CALIFORNIA. IT LOST POWER AT STOP SIGNS OR WHEN I HAD TO DECELERATE AND THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE. AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF FOR THE EVENING, IT DID NOT START THE NEXT MORNING, AT FIRST. LATER IT STARTED AND DROVE FINE. I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER NISSANS LOSING POWER OR STALLING. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD TELL ME WHAT STEPS YOU ARE TAKING TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545266

40,000 miles · Sep 4, 2013
EnginePower Train

THERE WERE 3 INCIDENTS. FIRST, I WAS DRIVING ON THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY, IN OCTOBER 2012. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS TERRIFIED. SECOND, I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT AROUND 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. I GAVE IT GAS BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS …

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THERE WERE 3 INCIDENTS. FIRST, I WAS DRIVING ON THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY, IN OCTOBER 2012. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS TERRIFIED. SECOND, I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT AROUND 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. I GAVE IT GAS BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. THIRD, I WAS ONCE AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY, TRAVELING AT SPEED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NON RESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR. I COASTED AND EVENTUALLY IT DID RESPOND. THE 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA IS EQUIPPED WITH THE CVT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ALL AROUND THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I AM READING ABOUT PEOPLE BEING SCARED FOR THEIR LIVES WHEN THEY DRIVE THESE CARS--HTTP://WWW.AUTOGUIDE.COM/AUTO-NEWS/2012/05/SHOULD-YOU-BUY-A-CAR-WITH-A-CVT-TRANSMISSION PEOPLES' LIVES ARE IN DANGER WHEN THEY DRIVE THESE VEHICLES. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ASAP TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541873

21,000 miles · Aug 30, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT CUSHION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT CUSHION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #10538101

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