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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
9,500 miles · Dec 13, 2010
Visibility

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA, APPROXIMATELY 9500 MILES. CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN THE EVENING, FIRST VERY COLD NIGHT OF THE YEAR, ABOUT 10 DEGREES. WHEN I ENTERED CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 8AM THE NEXT MORNING, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE WINDOW WAS STILL WHOLE, NO AREAS PUSHED IN, JUST FULLY SPIDERED WITH CRA…

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2010 NISSAN ALTIMA, APPROXIMATELY 9500 MILES. CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN THE EVENING, FIRST VERY COLD NIGHT OF THE YEAR, ABOUT 10 DEGREES. WHEN I ENTERED CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 8AM THE NEXT MORNING, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE WINDOW WAS STILL WHOLE, NO AREAS PUSHED IN, JUST FULLY SPIDERED WITH CRACKS, BUT STILL IN PLACE. UPON INSPECTION, IT JUST COLLAPSED INTO AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. CAR WAS IN PRIVATE LOCATION, NO CHANCE THAT IT WAS HIT OR OTHERWISE IMPACTED. MUST HAVE BEEN MFG DEFECT. DEALERSHIP NO HELP, DIRECTED TO CONTACT INSURANCE, NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE NO HELP, JUST CONTACT INSURANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370359

700 miles · Dec 7, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS NO INNER LOCK ON THE CONTROL TO PREVENT THE TRUNK FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL, CAUSING THE TRUNK TO OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS NO INNER LOCK ON THE CONTROL TO PREVENT THE TRUNK FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700.

NHTSA ODI #10369515

230 miles · Nov 29, 2010
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH; THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOOK AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING MORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH; THE VEHICLE ALSO SHOOK AT LOW SPEEDS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING MORMAL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 897. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SHOCKS WERE TOO WEAK FOR THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND WOULD NOT TURN, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT GIVING THE ACCURATE SPEED. UPDATED EVOQ 02./18/11 UPADTED 04/15/11

NHTSA ODI #10368183

9,500 miles · Nov 23, 2010
Power Train

PURCHASED MY NEW ALTIMA 3.5 A FEW MONTHS AGO. HAD A PROBLEM THE SECOND WEEK, SEEMED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. HAD TO ACCELERATE A LOT TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE VERY LITTLE AND VERY SLOWLY. HAD I BEEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTE…

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PURCHASED MY NEW ALTIMA 3.5 A FEW MONTHS AGO. HAD A PROBLEM THE SECOND WEEK, SEEMED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. HAD TO ACCELERATE A LOT TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE VERY LITTLE AND VERY SLOWLY. HAD I BEEN PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED A FEW TIMES AS I PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE. UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR HOURS LATER THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED FINE. MONTHS LATER AFTER A 3 1/2 HOUR DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY EXIT AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS TIME IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CAR ONLY ACCELERATED PROPERLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE FOLLOWING DAY (MONDAY) I DROVE THE CAR TO MY NISSAN DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM, I NEVER HAD ANY WARNING LIGHTS AT ALL. THEY RAN TESTS, FOUND NOTHING, ROAD TESTED AND DETERMINED I HAD A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. BRAND NEW CAR. THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. NISSAN IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AS I WRITE THIS REPORT, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I WAS LUCKY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10367236

20,471 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Electrical System

2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE AUTOMATIC PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WOULD NOT START THE ENGINE. IT CRANKED SEVERAL TIMES THEN DID NOTHING WHEN PUSHED. WAITED 15-20 MINUTES AND THEN IT STARTED RIGHT UP. UPON STARTING THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE BECAUSE NO ERROR CODES REGISTERED. …

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2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE AUTOMATIC PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WOULD NOT START THE ENGINE. IT CRANKED SEVERAL TIMES THEN DID NOTHING WHEN PUSHED. WAITED 15-20 MINUTES AND THEN IT STARTED RIGHT UP. UPON STARTING THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE BECAUSE NO ERROR CODES REGISTERED. THEY CHECKED FURTHER BUT COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE AND TOLD ME IT WOULD HAVE TO TOTALLY BREAK BEFORE THEY COULD FIND IT. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION FLAW AND WE'RE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND OF BEING STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365902

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

LAST WEEK I RENTED A NISSAN ALTIMA FROM HERTZ. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD DRIVEN THIS CAR. THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SPACING BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR. I WEAR A SIZE 10 SHOE AND THE EDGE OF MY SHOE KEPT GETTING CAUGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I MOVED MY FOOT TO APP…

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LAST WEEK I RENTED A NISSAN ALTIMA FROM HERTZ. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD DRIVEN THIS CAR. THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SPACING BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR. I WEAR A SIZE 10 SHOE AND THE EDGE OF MY SHOE KEPT GETTING CAUGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I MOVED MY FOOT TO APPLY THE BRAKE. I NARROWLY ESCAPED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS. THERE IS NO SPACE BETWEEN THESE 2 PEDALS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365621

39,000 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Power Train

CVT TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 MINUTES. ONCE WARM, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, I LIGHTLY ACCELERATE TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE CAR HESITATES LIKE I AM NOT EVEN PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR SO I PRESS HARDER ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE CAR FINALLY AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS SI…

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CVT TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 MINUTES. ONCE WARM, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, I LIGHTLY ACCELERATE TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE CAR HESITATES LIKE I AM NOT EVEN PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR SO I PRESS HARDER ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE CAR FINALLY AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS SITUATION HAPPENS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM FOR THE PAST MONTH. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT YOU CAN BE ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING AT 60MPH AND JUST LOOSE ALL POWER AND CANT ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY CANT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND TO JUST LEAVE IT WITH THEM TO SEE IF THEY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT I HAD ALREADY EXPLAINED THAT THE LIGHT HAS NEVER CAME ON. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON AND THEY DON'T GET A "CODE" FROM IT THAT THEY CANT FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH NISSAN KNOWS THAT THEIR IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CVT SO THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362716

12,792 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

'09 ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. SECOND OCCURRENCE IN ONE WEEK. JUMPED CAR AND TOOK IT TO GETTEL SARASOTA, FL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS - FAULTY "BRAKE SWITCH", NEEDED TO START KEYLESS IGNITION THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. REPLACED PART AND NO PROBLEMS SINCE. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. MY SO HA…

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'09 ALTIMA WOULD NOT START. SECOND OCCURRENCE IN ONE WEEK. JUMPED CAR AND TOOK IT TO GETTEL SARASOTA, FL NISSAN DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS - FAULTY "BRAKE SWITCH", NEEDED TO START KEYLESS IGNITION THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. REPLACED PART AND NO PROBLEMS SINCE. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. MY SO HAS A '07 ALTIMA, AND EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THE SAME WEEK IN NAPLES, FL. MINE WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT HE HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW PART. GO FIGURE! I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD CAUSE A RECALL. ( NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE.) *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360266

6,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON AUTOMATIC START IGNITION WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON AUTOMATIC START IGNITION WOULD NOT OPERATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS WITH THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED WITH THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ODI #10352990

25 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Seat Belts

CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN SPEED REACHES 70 MPH OR MORE. FEELS LIKE YOUR DRIVING IN A HURRICANE WHEN THERE'S NO WIND AT ALL PRESENT. BROUGHT THIS TO NISSAN'S ATTENTION, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE NO CHIMES TO ALERT/REMIND YOU OF PUTTING ON SEAT BELTS. WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION…

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CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD WHEN SPEED REACHES 70 MPH OR MORE. FEELS LIKE YOUR DRIVING IN A HURRICANE WHEN THERE'S NO WIND AT ALL PRESENT. BROUGHT THIS TO NISSAN'S ATTENTION, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE NO CHIMES TO ALERT/REMIND YOU OF PUTTING ON SEAT BELTS. WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION, PASSENGER CAN UNDO SEATBELT AND NO WARNING CHIME WILL OCCUR. AGAIN, NISSAN SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR THEIR CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349567

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