IllustrationTHIS IS A COMPLIANT FOR THE WELL KNOWN RADIATOR ISSUE. OURS RUPTURED AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION COSTING US ABOUT $6K IN REPAIRS.
2010 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Xterra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
525–50K
350–75K
475–100K
6100–150K
4150K+
26 reports with mileage · 12 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
8 reportsDRIVER'S DOOR LOCK EITHER STAYS LOCKED AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, OR, THE LOCK DOES NOT LATCH SO THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN. THIS HAPPED BOTH WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING.
INTERMITTENT STALLING ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS 98,700 MILES ON IT AND HAS NOT HAD ANY OTHER ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, GOING BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH, TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE START TO SLOW DOWN, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED (CHECK ENGINE, BATTER…
Read full complaint
INTERMITTENT STALLING ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS 98,700 MILES ON IT AND HAS NOT HAD ANY OTHER ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, GOING BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH, TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE START TO SLOW DOWN, LOST POWER STEERING AND ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED (CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, AIRBAG, SEATBELT, ETC.) BUT THE RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON. PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY WITH NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS. WAS DRIVABLE WITH NO OTHER ISSUES FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME ABOUT A WEEK OR SO LATER, WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, AT A STOP LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. AGAIN, ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON. TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO PROBLEMS AND NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATIONAL AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO ISSUES. I TOOK IT TO A TRUSTED MECHANIC AFTER BOTH INTERMITTENT STALLS. HE RAN DIAGNOSIS TESTS AFTER BOTH INCIDENTS AND NO CODES SHOWED UP. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS THE ECM RELAY THAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BETWEEN STALLS THINKING THIS WAS THE CULPRIT. THE SECOND STALL OCCURRED THE DAY AFTER THE NEW BATTERY INSTALL.
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-15 MPH. IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKES, ACCELERATION, AND POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE 405 FWY/SEPULVEDA PASS AREA DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR IN STOP-GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD, AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE. WAITED 1 MINUTE AND VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH…
Read full complaint
SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-15 MPH. IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKES, ACCELERATION, AND POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE 405 FWY/SEPULVEDA PASS AREA DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR IN STOP-GO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD, AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE. WAITED 1 MINUTE AND VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES ON DRIVE TO WORK. FROM A REVIEW OF ONLINE RESOURCES THIS LOOKS EERILY SIMILAR TO ISSUE OUTLINED IN PRIOR RECALL ISSUED BY NHTSA LISTED UNDER NTB10-137. THIS IS SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS, AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE!
THE VALVE ASSEMBLY AND ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $3761.00.
WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 40 DEGREES XTERRA WILL NOT START. VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND NOT PARKED IN A GARAGE. BATTERY WAS REPLACED 11 MONTHS AGO TRYING TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEM. NO OTHER MAJOR ISSUES WITH VEHICLE EVER. VEHICLE JUST TOWED YESTERDAY DEALER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE UNTIL MONDAY.
MY ECU ON MY NISSAN XTERRA WAS SUPPOSEDLY SHORTED DUE TO A LOOSE OR DAMAGED CABLE. WITH MY INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CABLE WAS NOT LOOSE, YET I STILL HAD PROBLEMS. THE ISSUE HAPPENED WHEN I HAD PARKED MY VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND. WHEN I RETURNED, I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO POWER …
Read full complaint
MY ECU ON MY NISSAN XTERRA WAS SUPPOSEDLY SHORTED DUE TO A LOOSE OR DAMAGED CABLE. WITH MY INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CABLE WAS NOT LOOSE, YET I STILL HAD PROBLEMS. THE ISSUE HAPPENED WHEN I HAD PARKED MY VEHICLE TO RUN AN ERRAND. WHEN I RETURNED, I STARTED UP MY VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. NOT WANTING THE VEHICLE TO BREAKDOWN ON A BUSY ROAD, I BACKED UP AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THIS TIME THE STARTER WOULD CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START IT A FEW TIMES, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERIES AND RECONNECTED THE BATTERIES. STILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK AND NOT TURN OVER. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND THEY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE. FIRESTONE TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY CABLES HAD SHORTED AND DESTROYED TEH ECU/ECM. I WAS QUOTED 1500 FOR A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. THIS SOUNDED LIKE A VERY INTENSIVE PROCESS, SO I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO NISSAN. AGAIN, THEY SAID IT WAS THE ECU/ECM. NISSAN TOLD ME THAT THE CABLES, THE BATTERY AND THE ECU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NISSAN HAS HAD PAST ISSUES WITH 2010 VEHICLES SHORTING OUT AND DESTROYING THE ECU'S. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS NISSAN'S FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OR POORLY CONSTRUCTED ECU'S THAT IS CAUSING THE DAMAGE. FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT TO BE RENDERED USELESS BY HAVING AN IMPORPER BATTERY CONNECTION SEEMS PROBLEMATIC AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE. IT IS PROBLEMATIC, DUE TO TEH HISTORY OF NISSAN'S CABLES BECOMING CORRODED DUE TO THEIR BATTERY POSITION. LIKEWISE, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS THAT THE BATTERY TERMINALS ARE POORLY MADE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE FAILURE. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS, FOR IF THE BATTERY TERMINALS FAIL, IT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP FUNCTIONING, EVEN WHEN IT HAS BEEN STARTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN XTERRA. DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EMC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Official recalls
423V067000 · Air Bags:frontal
Feb 10, 2023
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
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.
10V208000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
May 14, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
10V115000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector
Mar 24, 2010
NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector
NISSAN HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010 TO MARCH 13, 2010. ON SOME OF THE POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE FASTENERS SECURING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE, AND ALSO THE FASTENERS SECURING THE STEERING SHAFT POSITIONING BRACKET MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TRAJECTORY MIGHT BE AFFECTED. THE FASTENERS COULD POSSIBLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN POSITIONING BRACKET INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG FASTENERS AND ANY MISSING FASTENERS WILL BE REPLACED AND ALL LOOSE FASTENERS WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 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
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.