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2010 Nissan AltimaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 381 owner complaints about the 2010 Nissan Altima, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2010 Nissan Altima
40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Altima median · #14 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints38154 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage47kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2010 Nissan Altima has problems

381 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system746
Power train734
Air bags6114
Engine506
Suspension312
Structure304
Service brakes280
Visibility/wiper220
Steering202
16 other systems8314

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2010 Nissan Altima recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure

Recall 10V-193 · May 7, 2010 · 113 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension

Recall 09V-358 · Sep 16, 2009 · 26,398 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

47kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 59 electrical system complaints. 81% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
21under 30k miles48under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Electrical system

9 owners mentioned a cost

$600median

Middle half: $550 – $1,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2010 vs. every other Altima year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Altima median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2010 Nissan Altima safety ratings

2010 Nissan Altima 2-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2010 Nissan Altima frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2010 Nissan Altima side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Altima owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 11668297 · Jun 21, 2025
Batteries continue to go dead, have had at least 8 batteries since 2012. Nissan started charging me for batteries got too be expensive & told them this is a huge concern because I travel alone & if I get stranded this is unsafe for me. Gave me all kinds of excuses as to why batteries are going…
Complaint 11612021 · Sep 1, 2024
Yes, while driving down Atlanta Highway I was going around 55 mph then all of a sudden saw smoke was coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. When I pulled over Flames was coming from the front right side and spread it to the center of the front hood, then spread it to the front seat…
Complaint 11586905 · May 3, 2024

Own a 2010 Altima?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.