Model year record

2010 Nissan Xterra recalls & problems

The 2010 Nissan Xterra has 6 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (12 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints38filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

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

Safety recalls

Air bagsFeb 10, 2023

Frontal

Recall 23V067000404,690 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driverÂs 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.

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.

EquipmentSep 3, 2010

Equipment

Recall 10E043000294 vehicles

Problem: MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Fix: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.

SuspensionMay 20, 2010

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 10E0190001,873 vehicles

Problem: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. 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.
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

SuspensionMay 14, 2010

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 10V20800041,649 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsMar 24, 2010

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 10V1150004,038 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector

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 Xterra 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	25.6%

2010 Nissan Xterra NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier 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

Xterra 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Xterra 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Xterra 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Xterra 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft	12	2	0	49,000 mi
Air bags	11	2	2	83,800 mi
Electrical system	8	0	0	100,000 mi
Engine	4	1	0	37,200 mi
Service brakes	4	1	0	83,100 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	0	0	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	0	—
Steering	2	1	1	—
StructureBody	2	1	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm	2	0	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	1	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash2 injuries
THE NISSAN WAS IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE IN CAR WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY AND THOSE TWO PEOPLE RECEVED INJURIES BUT NOT LIFE THREATING. THE DRIVERS SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSED SIGNIFICANT INJURIES THE DRIVER HAD MAJOR SPINAL SURGERY INWHICH SHE HAD TO DO REHABILITATION TO WALK AGAIN FOR 8 MONTHS. THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER HAD TO BE AIR LIFTED TO A HOSPITAL AND 18 MONTHS LATER IS STILL PARALYZED AND UNABLE TO WALK. SHE IS CURRENTLY STILL IN A REHABILITATION HOME.
Aug 24, 2023
Air bags
After getting the air bag control module reprogrammed per the recall, I was on a dirt road and the rollover airbags deployed when they shouldnât have. The dealership I got the recall done at is claiming the airbag system registered ârollover conditionsâ. When I asked what the conditions were they told me they were unable to provide them. I am concerned either their reprogramming didnât fix the issue or that they never actually reprogrammed it. Either way my airbags deployed when I was no where near a roll over situation and luckily no one was injured in this instance
Sep 1, 2024
Air bags
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
Mar 21, 2023
Air bags
My air bag quit working. The light started going off. I took it to Nissan and they said I had to pay to have the light turned off before they would fix the recall. I could not afford to pay to have the light turned off. The line connecting to my transmission and radiator has failed. Transmission fluid is leaking into my radiator and coolant is leaking into my transmission. Both must be replaced. The repair shop looked up the recall and said that was why this happened. I cannot afford thousands of dollars to have this repaired. My car is 10 years old with 163k miles.
Jun 13, 2022
Power train
No warning lamps had my vehicle repeatedly looked at was told that my vehicle had no transmission warninfsigns was told by mechanic to replace the radiator I replaced the radiator and then the vehicle stopped running now I have transmission fluid mixed with my radiator fluid and the vehicle doesn't run at all I repeatedly took it back to the shop Tobe fixed was told igot a bad radiator yet I know it wasn't bad I contacted my insurance company everyone failed to inform me that this vehicle had aknown transmission problem by Nissan and failed to disclose it to me
Jun 1, 2019
Power train
THIS IS A COMPLIANT FOR THE WELL KNOWN RADIATOR ISSUE. OURS RUPTURED AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION COSTING US ABOUT $6K IN REPAIRS.
Oct 13, 2020
Tires
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Xterra equipped with Interco Tires, Tire line: LTB-02 SST LTB, Tire Size: 31/11.5/16LT. The contact stated that the while her son was driving approximately 65 mph, a loud noise suddenly occurred. After stopping and inspecting the vehicle, the driver discovered that the front driverâs side tire had experienced tread separation. Approximately one month later the same failure occurred to the front passengerâs side tire. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.
May 12, 2021 · 5,000 miles
Air bags
The passenger side airbag sensor broke , sensor that detects a person in the seat and engages the airbag, took it to dealer to fix and was told Nissan no longer supports that part and should go to a junk yard and pull a a seat cushion and install it myself.
Jul 26, 2021

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

NHTSA defect investigations

Transmission FailuresClosed
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…
DP12004 · opened Jun 11, 2012 · closed Oct 22, 2016