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ProblemsByVin File / 2010-NISSAN-ALTIMA NHTSA data synced 7 hours ago
2010 · Nissan

Nissan Altima problems

380 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Altima?
High-risk ownership

Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
67 reports · fails ~74,755 mi · avg $2,500
severe
electrical
61 reports · fails ~50,815 mi · avg $850
severe
airbags
50 reports · fails ~74,816 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
26 reports · fails ~67,851 mi · avg $1,500
severe
suspension
24 reports · fails ~97,116 mi · avg $900
moderate
engine
20 reports · fails ~77,142 mi · avg $3,100
severe
steering
20 reports · fails ~67,864 mi · avg $700
severe
visibility
16 reports · fails ~37,052 mi · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2010 Altima's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2010 Altima?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2010 Altima · brakes
My brake light came on and I topped it off with oil and it went home. This was on sunday. I took it in monday to have it checked and the master cylinder was leaking and I had it replaced for $612.73. I called Nissan as I found there were some complaints and found a site where…
12/29/2014 · at 53,953 mi · NHTSA ODI #10668733.0 · see brakes pattern →
2010 Altima · electrical
The car failed to start because the brake switch and the entire harness sub failed. I had to tow away the car to the nearest Nissan showroom and was charged $440 to replace harness-sub, switch assy sto, band hose plus labor. Ps: this is a known problem but Nissan wont…
12/22/2014 · at 42,657 mi · NHTSA ODI #10667789.0 · see electrical pattern →
2010 Altima · airbags Crash
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan altima. While driving approximately 30 MPH on a damp road, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle began to spin out of control without warning. The vehicle crashed into a concrete overpass. The air bags failed to deploy. A police…
12/21/2015 · at 79,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10811405.0 · see airbags pattern →
2010 Altima · body
The dashboard is literally melting and has puddles of tacky residue. I live in florida. The vehicle was purchased in florida. The dashboard is breaking down and causing a dangerous glare on the windshield. It is a serious safety hazard for passengers, other mva's and especially…
12/20/2016 · at 25,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10936499.0 · see body pattern →
View all 380 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2010 Nissan Altima? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 09V358000 September 16, 2009

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 altima and maxima passenger cars

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).
severe NHTSA 10V193000 May 7, 2010

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 altima vehicles manufactured from april 7, 2010 through april 13, 2010

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.

Common questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Altima reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 380 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Nissan Altima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2010 Nissan Altima?

The 2010 Nissan Altima is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 67 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 23,300–120,000 mi; Electrical system: 61 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 24,524–67,500 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2010 Nissan Altima?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 67 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,755 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 74,755 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Altima has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Nissan Altima?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 380 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 7 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/Altima. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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