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: structure
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Apr 10, 2023, fire
Inspection is available, but note that car is in very poor shape and melted. All persons in the vehicle at the time of the incident were in extreme danger as the car showed no warning signed in the engine heat or check lights in the dashboard before the engine sputtered and slowed, the electrical sparked, and the whole front of the car caught on fire. The fire spread on a matter of 10 minutes and burst the windshield and front tires from the flames. Police inspected the remains of the vehicle and were unable to discover the source outside of the leaking oil still on fire by the electrical unit. Claim has been reported to insurance provider for their review.
Structure, Nov 20, 2022
The dashboard is sticky and melty. It has also cracked open continuously from left to right across the entire front face of the dashboard. It continues to widen such that I can see some of the inside of the dashboard. There was a class action settlement made for 2008-2009 Altimas and this exact problem of melty and sticky dashboard. The car is available for inspection upon request. There are three primary concerns regarding this dashboard 1. glare from the melt causing accidents, 2. reduced function of safety systems, and 3. off gassing of plastic components proven to be carcinogenic.
Structure, Mar 5, 2022, crash
My Nissan altima dashboard is melting and the reflection is causing glare on windshield in the sun. Salt buildup on the windshield in combination with a flash of bright sunlight suddenly caused visibility out of the windshield to be nonexistent. I caused an accident when this happen to me on the freeway, as I lost all visibility and started to swerve and slow down. I had pull to the shoulder blindly and almost died.
Structure, Nov 30, 2021
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking and became sticky to the touch. The contact also stated that there was a glare in the windshield from the dashboard. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 22, 2021
concern: melting dashboard safety: visibility - the dashboard is very shiny and sticky, potential glare confirmation: Florida recalls have already been made against 2008 and 2009 Nissan vehicles, but nothing further. symptoms: no idea that the dashboard was melting; college student used vehicle corrective action taken: washing/cleaners do not improve or correct the issue. Also, the replacement cost and/or labor required to fix the issue is extremely limited for consumers to take on personally.
Structure, Aug 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A GLARE FROM THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTING OFF THE MELTING DASHBOARD POSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER JACKIE COOPER LOCATED AT 9898 S MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74133 WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
Structure, Apr 27, 2020
I BOUGHT A NISSAN ALTIMA 2010 WHICH I THOUGHT WAS SHINNY DUE TO CLEANING TO REALIZED LATER THAT IT IS ACTUALLY STICKY BECAUSE IT IS DEFECTIVE. IT GETS WORSE AFTER IT IS EXPOSED TO HEAT. THE SHADE COVER STICKS TO THE DASHBOARD AND LEAVES PARTICLES ATTACHED TO IT, THE WORSE THING IS THE REFLECTION OR GLARE IT CREATES WHEN DRIVING IN THE SUN. IT MAKES HARD TO SEE FORWARDS.
Structure, Sep 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND WAS STICKY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLES NISSAN (239-300-2765, LOCATED AT 3640 PINE RIDGE ROAD, NAPLES, FL 34109) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DISCONTINUED THE FREE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NO LONGER REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
Structure, Jul 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNITED NISSAN (3025 E, NV-589, LAS VEGAS, NV 89104, (702) 832-5480) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
Structure, Jul 9, 2019
DASH BOARD IS MELTING AND CREATING SHINY SURFACE WHICH CREATES A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. DEPENDING ON TIME OF THE DAY AND ANGLE OF THE SUN, THAT GLARE PREVENTS CLEAR VISION TO THE ROAD. LAW SUIT FOR SIMILAR ISSUE WAS ALREADY APPROVED IN FLORIDA AND NISSAN REPLACED DASH BOARDS FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO FIX IT EVEN IT RELATES TO SAFETY AND VISIBILITY. THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD AND CAN NOT BE TREATED AS STATE WISE. ALSO I AM NOT SURE IF THIS MELTING DASHBOARD IS CREATING ANY HARMFUL FUMES THAT I NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. I HAVE ATTACHED IMAGE AND CAN SHARE MORE IMAGE IF NEEDED. DEPENDING ON TIME AND ANGLE OF THE SUN THIS GETS EVEN WORSE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AN SUN HITS THE DASH BOARD AT CERTAIN ANGLE.
Structure, Jan 20, 2019
COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY DASH STARTED TO MELT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SINE ON THE DASH IS MAKING DRIVING REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO SEE THROUGH THE FRONT MIRROR
Structure, Feb 27, 2018
THE DASH BOARD HAS BEEN MELTING FOR OVER A YEAR.
Electrical system, Visibility, Structure, Feb 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD DISINTEGRATED AND THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO OPERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILL NISSAN (6401 CYPRESS GARDENS BLVD, WINTER HAVEN, FL 33884, (863) 299-2161) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD AND THE HVAC WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,025. *TT *AS
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING, CRACKING, AND BEGAN TO PROVIDE A GLARE WHEN THE SUN WAS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI, 12801 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT PARTS WERE ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT OPENED A CASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Apr 10, 2017
I WAS DRIVING ON AN OPEN STRETCH OF INTERSTATE WHEN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. I WAS NOT NEAR A BRIDGE AND THERE WAS NOT A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME FOR SOME DISTANCE. THE SUNROOF WAS IN THE CLOSED POSITION AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT.
Structure, Mar 12, 2017
PAINT CHIPPED OFF AND FADED AFTER ONE YEAR. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS NISSANS WITH SAME ISSUE. NISSAN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OR REPRINT ANY FADED NISSAN.
Structure, Service brakes, Feb 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY AND HAD CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INADVERTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. *TT *CN
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 20, 2016
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 PEDESTRIANS AS THEY ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN DAYLIGHT. THE TACKY SUBSTANCE CANNOT BE CLEANED. ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT STICKS. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DEFECT IN COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND HAS NOT BEEN CAUSED BY SOLVENTS OR CLEANERS. NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER DASHBOARD REPLACEMENT DESPITE THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE. THE COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $2K. NISSAN HAS ENTERED INTO A CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR MODEL YEARS 2008 & 2009 (SANBORN V. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA) BUT I HAVE A 2010 AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. 2010'S SHOULD BE RECALLED NOW AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION FOR THIS KNOWN AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED UNLESS THESE DASHBOARDS ARE RECALLED AND REPLACED. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MOST PREVALENT IN FLORIDA BASED ON WHAT I'VE SEEN ONLINE. PLEASE GOOGLE "NISSAN ALTIMA MELTING DASHBOARD" - IT'S NOT AN UNCOMMON COMPLAINT. I'M PROVIDING 2 PICTURES TO DEMONSTRATE VISIBILITY WHEN PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AS WELL AS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. TRY TO LOCATE THE LICENSE PLATE ON THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, LET ALONE READ IT. NOW IMAGINE IF SOMEONE WERE TO WALK IN FRONT OF MY CAR. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING ALSO WITH THE SUN LIGHT CREATE A GLARE IN WINDSHIELD AND BLOCK MY VIEW I THING IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE CAN HAVEN ANYTIME TO DRIVEN SPECIAL IN AFTERNOON WHEN I DRIVING NISSAN SAID IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM I DON'T AGREE SOMEBODY HAVE TO DIED AND WHY TOYOTA DID A RECALL THEY HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Oct 14, 2016
DASHBOARD IS MELTING FROM THE HEAT AND SUN, HAS BECOME STICKY, UN-CLEANABLE AND CAUSING A TERRIBLE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD BOTH DAY AND NIGHT. ISSUE APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE EVERY WEEK AS THIS CAR SITS OUTSIDE 24/7 NOT ALWAYS IN THE SHADE. I CALLED NISSAN OF AMERICAN AND THEY SETUP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER. THE END RESULT WAS A WASTED DAY AND I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY (80K MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD) THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT COST OF $2000. A FEW MONTHS LATER MY AC CONDENSER COIL WAS DIAGNOSED BY NISSAN WITH A LEAK. NISSAN SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1500 TO REPLACE (AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT DUE TO THE CONDITION OF MY DASHBOARD THEY COULD NOT MAKE ANY GUARANTEE TO THE CONDITION OF THE DASH AFTER THE REPAIR AND RECOMMENDED DASH REPLACEMENT AS WELL BRING MY REPAIR TOTAL TO AND ESTIMATED $3500. WITH THE AC RECHARGED (BUT NOT FIXED) I BROUGHT THE CAR OVER TO CARMAX TO SEE WHAT THEY WOULD GIVE ME FOR THE CAR. THEY SAILD ALTHOUGH MOST ALTIMAS OF THIS MILEAGE AND CONDITION WOULD BE WORTH AT LEAST $6500-$7000 DUE TO THE DASHBOARD CONDITION (NEEDS REPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO THEIR PAPERWORK) THEY OFFERED ME $4500 FOR THE CAR.
Structure, Oct 6, 2015
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR GETS SOAKED EVERY TIME IT RAINS. BUT ONLY IN ONE SPOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A REGULAR SIZE ENVELOPE. THERE IS NO SIGNS WHERE WATER STREAMS THERE FROM ANY OTHER PART OF THE FLOOR. JUST THAT SPOT . IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING AND IF THE CAR IS PARKED IT JUST STARTED THIS PAST MAY
Structure, Jun 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND THE MATERIAL WAS LIFTING ON THE DRIVER SIDE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE DASHBOARD HAD A GLOSSY SURFACE WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISION OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Feb 27, 2015
THE DASH BOARD IN THE CAR IN MELTING, THE DEALER CORAL SPRINGS AUTO MALL IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM WITH DASH. THE REFLECTION FROM THE DASH IN DIRECT SUN LIGHT IS BECOMING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO REPAIRED AND OWNERS NEED TO WARNED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
Structure, Jan 24, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, SOFT TO THE TOUCH, EASILY DAMAGED. FIRST NOTICED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE TRIM AROUND THE RADIO TO REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE DISPLAY IN UNREADABLE WHEN IT'S HOT. WHEN I DID SO, THE DASHBOARD SEEMED STICKY AND STARTED BREAKING APART WHILE TRYING TO PRY OFF THE TRIM. I PURCHASED SPECIFIC TOOLS FOR REMOVING TRIM WITHOUT DAMAGE BUT THE DASH IS STILL TOO SOFT AND STICKY. SO TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE RADIO THAT NISSAN SAYS IS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY I WOULD DESTROY THE DASH CAUSING A REPLACEMENT OF THOUSANDS. ALSO, I'M AFRAID THAT THE PLASTIC IS SO SOFT AND STICKY THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, WOULD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY PROPERLY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Mar 19, 2014, crash
THE LACK OF LIGHTING INDICATOR MAKES THAT CAR VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT DUSK & DAWN TIMES. THE DASH BOARD IS SLIGHTLY LESS LIT WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THE DRIVER WOULD NOT KNOW WHETHER THE BOARD LIGHT IS IN THE "MORE" OR THE "LESS" STATUS. UNLIKE IN OLDER CARS, THE DASH BOARD IS NOT DARK WHEN THE LIGHT IS NOT ON SO THAT THE DRIVER IS ALERTED. THIS IS A MAJOR HUMAN FACTOR DEFECT. IT IS THE CAUSE OF COLLISIONS AT TIMES OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITH UTMOST QUALIFICATIONS IN HUMAN RELIABILITY ANALYSES(HRA). FOR A PERIOD OF 9 YEARS, I WAS THE ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF A LARGE INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF HRA ENGINEERS RESPONSIBLE FOR MINIMIZING HUMAN ERRORS AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS. OUR CAR WAS TOTALED. MY WIFE HAD 4 BROKEN RIBS. I HAD SEVERAL INJURIES. *TR