2010 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 381 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 25 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 37 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
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.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMay 7, 2010
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.
IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
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.
Campaign 10V193000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionSep 16, 2009
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.
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.
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).
Campaign 09V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
61 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Aug 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT CUSHION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
Air bags, Apr 18, 2013
PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF WHEN SOMEBODY IS SIT ON THE PASSENGER SIT SOMETIMES IS ON AND OFF I TOOK MY CAR FOR CHECK UP TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOT PROBLEM CODES IN COMPUTER BUT THE CAR CONTINUES WITH THE PROBLEM BUT I ASKED ANOTHER PEOPLE AND THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WE NEED HELP BECAUSE THIS DANGEROUS IN A CRASH. *TR
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 13, 2012
ENGINE PING NOISE FROM ENGINE AT TIMES REALLY LOUD NOISE GOT WORSE THEN MORE PROBLEMS HAPPENED OVER TIME AT A STOP CAR WAS ACCELERATING LIKE IF WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME,NEXT CAR WOULD COME TO A STOP THEN LOST POWER WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN A FEW MPH THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND ONCE DOWN HILL THE CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR ALSO ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT CLEAR AN INTERSECTION , I ALSO GOT VIDEO FOOTAGE OF INCIDENT ,DEALER KEEPS SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND THE CAR IS SAFE EVEN AFTER THEY SAW THE VIDEO THEY SAY THE COMPUTER SHOWS NOTHING THEN A RECORDER WAS INSTALLED IN THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ACCELERATED BY ITSELF THE RECORDER BUTTON WAS PRESSED AND THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE RECORDER WAS TAKEN OFF AND THE MAIN NISSAN COMPANY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE INFORMATION ON THE RECORDER WAS ACCIDENTALLY ERASED. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I HAD IT THIS IS MY MAIN CONCERN BUT I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE WINDOWS NOT ROLLING DOWN TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON AND TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING THE DEALER IS NOT HELPING NEITHER NISSAN DIRECT AND AT THIS POINT IM CONCERNED OF MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY'S. *TR
Air bags, Aug 24, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. A CONTRACTOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE AN AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 25, 2012
COMPUTER DOES NOT DETECT FRONT SIDE PASSENGER (ADULT) WHO WEIGH LESS THAN 125 POUNDS AND HENCE AIRBAGS ARE NOT ACTIVATED FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BEFORE THE COMPUTER FINALLY DETECTS AN OCCUPANT. NISSAN CLAIMS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE AND THE WEIGHT IS SET BY FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WITH THE NUMBER OF ADULT US POPULATION LESS THAN 125 POUNDS BEING HIGH, THIS PRESENTS A GRAVE SAFETY RISK ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 9, 2012, crash
IN OCT 2011 CAR SURGED AT STOPPED SIGN CALLED DEALER HE SAID IF HAPPEN AGAIN BRING IT IN NOV 2011 CAR SURGED AGAIN TOOK IT TO DEALER HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN JAN 2012 CAR SURGED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THE NISSAN WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGE IN THE FRONT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN UP. I TRADED THE CAR IN ON A NEW AND DIFFERENT COMPANY CAR. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS ANY MORE. GAS PEDAL ## VIN FAILED ## 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA ## *TR
Air bags, May 3, 2011
2010 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2010. HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT NISSAN QUALITY OF TEMECULA FOR MULTIPLE ISSUES. THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON STATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF AND THIS IS WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT OF 200 POUNDS SITTING IN THE PASSANGER'S SEAT. I AM VERY CONCERNED OF OUR SAFETY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG WILL GO OFF. THE TRANSMISSION IS ALSO GIVING US PROBLEMS.CAR IS STALLING AND JERKING WHILE DRIVING. THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT IS ALSO COMING ON AND I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIMES SINCE SEPTEMBER AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. NISSAN WAS OKAY WITH US LEAVING THE LOT KNOWING THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Tires, Mar 7, 2011
2010 NISSAN ALTIMA S (PURCHASED NEW 12/7/09) AND AS PART OF THE INCENTIVE TO BUY THE VEHICLE, THE DEALERSHIP HAD AFTER MARKET LEATHER INSTALLED AND FROM THERE THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN NON-STOP. AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR NEARLY 10 TIMES (ONE BEING TODAY) IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS FOR SERVICE AND WAS PLACED IN LOANER CARS AT LEAST 4 TIMES DUE TO THE PROBLEMS. THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG NOT WORKING AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT SPORADICALLY COMES ON BOTH BLINKING AND/OR A CONSTANT. MY ENTIRE SEAT WAS REPLACED AND STILL THE AIR BAG LIGHT TAKES UP TO 5 MINUTES SOMETIMES (IT VARIES) TO TURN OFF INDICATING SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE DRIVEN UP TO 4 MILES WITH MY PASSENGER BEING UNPROTECTED. THE DEALERSHIP, TODAY SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT HAS CAME OFF AND ON SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH NOTHING FOUND TO BE WRONG EACH TIME, EXCEPT ONCE, THEY SAID I HAD A NAIL IN MY TIRE AND THEY PLUGGED IT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE REPAIR WORK AND LOOKED VERY WELL... THIS PAST WEEKEND, I VACUUMED MY ENTIRE CAR (MEANING EACH DOOR HAD BEEN OPENED AND SHUT) TAKING APPROX 15 MINUTES. WHEN I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO START IT THE SHIFT WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. ALL LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD SHOW "ON" ON THE START BUTTON WHILE NOT RUNNING. I WAS JUMP STARTED AND THEN INSTANTLY THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKED FOR ONE MINUTE THEN STAYED CONSTANT. THE AIR BAG SENSOR TOOK EVEN LONGER TO WORK. OF COURSE, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, NOTHING WAS WRONG--BATTERY WAS GOOD--AIR BAGS ARE GOOD; HOWEVER, THEY DID CONFIRM LOW TIRE PRESSURE IN ONE TIRE... I TRULY BELIEVE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED AND TRULY DISHEARTEN BY NISSAN AND THEIR LACK OF CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS' SAFETY AND WELL BEING. *TR
Air bags, Jul 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Air bags, Jul 8, 2010, crash
I OWN A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA, BOUGHT IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR. I WAS REAR-ENDED TODAY BY A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK WHICH FORCED ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS WELL AND MY AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY FACE ACTUALLY JUST TOUCHED MY STEERING WHEEL! I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT UNLESS THE CAR IS HIT IN PRECISELY THE RIGHT POINT NEAR A SENSOR THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY!! I HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH A STUPID EXCUSE AND AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IF MY CAR GETS "TOTALED" OF GOING WITH A DIFFERENT MAKE - NOT NISSAN! I CAN ONLY IMAGINE IF ONE OF MY GRANDCHILDREN HAD BEEN IN THE CAR. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO BE CHECKED OUT AND THANKFULLY I AM "OK" ALTHOUGH MY BACK IS IN PAIN AS WELL AS MY NECK! THEY SAID I MAY HAVE TO RETURN FOR AN MRI IF IT GETS WORSE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Air bags, Mar 17, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ABRUPTLY VEERING TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER; THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD AND RESISTANT TO DRIVER INPUT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND A REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE ACCORDINGLY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND TIRES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THE SUSPENSION BUT UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V358000: SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,800.