Model year record

2010 Nissan Altima recalls & problems

The 2010 Nissan Altima has 3 safety recalls and 381 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (74 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints381filed by owners

Crashes · fires25 · 9reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths37 · 0reported in complaints

2010 Nissan Altima in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

EquipmentSep 10, 2010

Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)

Recall 10V4010007,948 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

StructureMay 7, 2010

Structure

Recall 10V193000113 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionSep 16, 2009

Suspension

Recall 09V35800026,398 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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).

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2010 Nissan Altima 2-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2010 Nissan Altima 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2010 Nissan Altima NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2010 Nissan Altima NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Altima

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Altima Coupe

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Altima Coupe

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Altima Coupe

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Altima

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Altima Coupe

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Altima

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition; Instrument cluster/panel	74	2	4	2	46,760 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	73	4	0	0	54,964 mi
Unknown or other	70	0	3	0	70,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	61	14	1	19	50,000 mi
Engine	50	1	5	6	68,000 mi
SuspensionFront	31	2	0	6	77,067 mi
StructureBody; Interior panels › Dashboard	30	2	1	3	61,000 mi
Service brakes	28	0	0	0	49,134 mi
Visibility/wiper	22	0	0	0	49,000 mi
Steering	20	2	0	6	64,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	20	3	0	0	78,583 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	7	0	0	0	39,500 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
Vehicle pulled out in front of me exiting from parallel park into oncoming traffic causing me to skid(slam brakes) & steer off into the other lane of traffic. When I got out to check the scenery & make sure she was okay, she flipped me off & Proceeded to curse me out
Sep 18, 2026
Unknown or other
The sunroof completely dislodged from the vehicle and flew off into the traffic behind me on a highway. This included the entire sunroof - the frame, casing, window, mechanics and all! This was obviously a major safety issue for any vehicle driving behind me as well as a safety issue for me driving while such an explosive event occurred - highly alarming and dangerous. The problem has not yet been inspected by a shop, dealer, police officer, or insurance adjuster. I do not have the part for inspection as it is shattered in or off the highway somewhere and trying to retrieve it would have been very dangerous.
May 11, 2026
Electrical systemFire
Vehicle caught on fire my be a electrical problem
Apr 30, 2026
Unknown or other
Vehicle doesn't work properbaliy
Dec 29, 2023
Suspension
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered severe corrosion on the rear cross-member. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the corrosion affected several parts of the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact about NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that she would receive a call back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Apr 1, 2025 · 95,000 miles
Unknown or other
Dashboard has started melting. Front half of dash has started oozing a black, sticky, shiny tar-like substance in addition to an odor. Sticks to everything and does not come off or stop oozing. Spreading to more area of the dashboard. Does create a glare on the windshield, obstructing visibility. Have always used a sun shield since purchasing the car in 2022. This just started ~7/31/2025.
Jul 31, 2025
Unknown or other
UNKNOWN
Jul 20, 2025
Engine
I am having problems with my ECU malfunctioning which is causing my catalytic converter my exhaust manifold and my O2 sensors to malfunction. I'm having all the same issues as the recall campaign reference number NTB 12-040 d
Jun 17, 2025

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.