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 refund my money. How can a vehicle just under 50k fail for such a thing if not for a bad factory harness. *tr
2010 Nissan Altima electrical problems
severe 61 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
61
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
4fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 61 electrical complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 61 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
My 2010 altima had been going dead for the last 3 days. I have to get a jump a jump in the am for work and after work when I leave. I took the vehicle to an auto parts store to test the battery and was told the battery was efficient so I am puzzled as to why this has been happening. I was told it may be the alternator. Today my car wouldn't start or even take a jump from another vehicle so I was…
Over the years ived had multiple problems with the branke and engine of my 2010 altima. The panel lights up but the engine does not crank. Pushing the ignition button only locks the brake.no warning signals either the car just dies on you ived paid over 700 everytime it needs repair, im very frustrated with my car and will never buy another Nissan vehicle.
Had electrical trouble with your 2010 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2010 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 61 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 46 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 24,524 and 67,500 miles, with the median around 46,760. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,524; a quarter make it past 67,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.