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: other or unspecified
70 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2026
The sunroof completely dislodged from the vehicle and flew off into the traffic behind me on a highway. This included the entire sunroof - the frame, casing, window, mechanics and all! This was obviously a major safety issue for any vehicle driving behind me as well as a safety issue for me driving while such an explosive event occurred - highly alarming and dangerous. The problem has not yet been inspected by a shop, dealer, police officer, or insurance adjuster. I do not have the part for inspection as it is shattered in or off the highway somewhere and trying to retrieve it would have been very dangerous.
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Jan 23, 2026
Vehicle doesn't work properbaliy
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2025
Dashboard has started melting. Front half of dash has started oozing a black, sticky, shiny tar-like substance in addition to an odor. Sticks to everything and does not come off or stop oozing. Spreading to more area of the dashboard. Does create a glare on the windshield, obstructing visibility. Have always used a sun shield since purchasing the car in 2022. This just started ~7/31/2025.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2025
UNKNOWN
Suspension, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2024
Around 12:30 pm Sysco driver [XXX] illegally parked on the San Diego California street blocking off traffic. I made a note of the drivers identification because of the awkward closeness to my vehicle. I went to an appointment about an hour away and upon my return I immediately noticed tension and pulling with my suspension that was not there before. I contact Sysco corporate office to report the incident and they said they will take care of it and to make a police report. I call immediately and am put on hold for nearly 90 minutes then am disconnected. I go to make an in person report and the police department is closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I notify the department of transportation and the California attorney general of my situation and how my car is not working like before. This should be investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2024
Since 2011/2012 at times Altima won't start. Stopped going to dealer because of excuses & expense after warranty expired. Have been calling AAA. Have had at least 8 batteries replaced. This is a safety issue for me when I travel alone. When I turn the car off I pray evertime that the car starts. I have to pull my paperwork for exact date this started. I only have 92,000 miles on my Altima. So far so good with the latest battery, fingers crossed. Start date below is approximate, have to pull my paperwork.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2024
I HAVE A CVT TRANSMISSION IS MY CAR, AND ITS TERRIBLY SCARY. IT SHIFTS IF IT WANT TOO I TRY TO SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY HOPING TO HELP IT SHIFT IT STILL DONT I HAVE TO COME ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. I GET OFF THE GAS CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND OR STALLS AND SHAKES AND THEN TAKES OFF. TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR LITERALLY GOES NO WHERE THAN MINS LATER IT JUST TAKES OFF WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON GAS PEDAL. LOTS OF HESISTATION SHUDDERING LURCHING STALLING ITS REALLY SCARY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT TIME AND THROUGH BUSY PLACES. YOU PUT IT GEARS AND IT EVEN JUMPS AND OR ROCKS BACK AND FORTH
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2024
THIS CAR DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY MELTING AND THE CHEMICALS THATS BEING RELEASED ARE VERY SMELLY AND EYE BURNING. FROM THE VENTS DOWN TO RIGHT BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT HAS PIECES MISSING CONTROL UNITS DONT EVEN SIT IN ORIGINAL PLACE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASH IS MELTING AND WONT HOLD TOGETHER AND CHEMICALS ARE RELEASED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. TURN THE AC DEBRIS COMES OUT AND EYES BURN TO THE POINT EVERY ONE HAS TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. EYES BURN REGUARDLESS OF AC BUT WHEN ITS ON ITS 10X WORSE. IVE OWNED THIS CAR 2 YEARS AND ITS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I GOT IT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2024
The dashboard is melted. The shiny surface that this melted area has created causes a terrible glare when driving during the day to the point where it is difficult to see the road or oncoming traffic well. The surface is extremely sticky to the touch. Melting has progressively been getting worse.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2023
2010 Nissan altam the front strut insulators on both sides have really bad cracks on the upper insulators. It's a loud clunking noise going over bumps or just driving on flat surfaces. There's a recall on 09 and 10 maxima and altamas with the same issues but this one isn't showing up for a recall.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2023
When parked letting the car warm up constant shaking kinda a rough ideal at times. From park to reverse it shifts hard the to drive its ok I guess then on the go it's like driving a boat on land loud knocking sounds seems like the tires are flat or about to explode off the car really nerve-wracking
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2023
Dashboard is melting and cracking. Glare makes it hard to see out of the windshield.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2023, fire
Today my 16 year old daughter drove my 2010 Nissan Altima. At 45 mph it started to jerk. She pulled over to check things out and saw nothing. She went to put it back in drive and the gear shifter wouldn’t stay in proper drive position, but she started driving. It continued and began jerking, making a popping sound, and then started pouring smoke. She pulled over, got out and got my 10 year old daughter out when she saw a flame by the windshield and they ran away from the vehicle before it became engulfed in flames very quickly. The entire vehicle is ash except the frame in a short period of time.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Jul 13, 2023
I've owned my Ultima for approximately 9 years the dashboard is melting and cracking causing poor visibility, glares, melting dashboard with cracks causing wires to be exposed to hot heat and sun.
Power train, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2023
My name is [XXX] and I can be reached at [XXX]...The dashboard has many cracks on it and it looks like it's melting too by the sun rays. It's very sticky when you touch it too. Vehicle tends to slow down a lot when I am driving as if I am about to get transmission problems soon. I see many people who already complained this transmission issue. My car has about 130,646 miles on it. The passenger air bag is consistently on and I hope it won't deploy on its own. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2023
The problem is in the Transmission. It is very stressful to know that I can't go faster than 35mph and specially super important that I have to stay under 5mpr or I might blow the motor I'm guessing
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2023
My extremely shiny/melting dashboard is the problem yes it is available for inspection. Everyones safety was put @ risk because of the glare created by that dashboard onto the windshield. I can’t afford to pay the dealership or anyone else to look at it. Not inspected by police insurance or manufacturer yet but I’m sure it will be once I have a wreck Due to the fact that I can’t see clearly out the windshield there were no warning lamps Or messages but here’s the story : I bought this car Preowned in Oklahoma on April 16, 2023 since then on more than one occasion I have almost run over A pedestrian or into another vehicle because I couldn’t see due to the excessive glare on my windshield One photo Shows how bad the Glare is when The Sun hits The windshield 4some reason it uploaded sideways Depending upon the placement of the sun the Reflection on the The windshield Will cover the entire lower half the rest of the photos were taken in my garage &even after dark with just the light from my garage you can clearly see how bad the glare is due to the reflection. I also included a photo of a quarter standing On its side. that is how sticky the dash is. You can also see in the photos how the shade I bought to keep the sun off of The dash leaves pieces on the dashboard because it keeps sticking to the dashboard Every day when I use it. You can also see if you look really closely how the stickiness that’s on the shade rubs off onto the windshield and leaves a sticky mess on it. please do something about this my car is no longer under warranty but is it unsafe to drive at various times both day and night. There’s no way I can afford to get a new dash.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 12, 2022
My dashboard has been melting since I purchased the vehicle last year. Dealership went out of business. It’s over $1,000 for dashboard to be replaced. I read the complaints on this website and y’all are WELL INFORMED of this issue and the safety concerns associated with it. Ditto for Nissan! A recall was issued for the previous two year models so why in the world should we have to pay for this repair out of pocket and how many complaints does it take to get y’all to do something????? I’m not sure what you’re here for if not to address issues consumers are having with their products. DO YOUR JOB AND MAKE NISSAN PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES!!!!
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2022
No imcident
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2022
I have a melting dashboard that is becoming hazardous due to the extreme glare , tackiness and continuous deterioration. I noticed it in May 2021 and has become substantially worse’s as it is now a hazard and concerned driving it until I can find a fix . I contacted Nissan consumer affairs and was advised no recall and due to age that they could not offer a good will fix and directed me to dealer. I will spoke to the dealer body shop who advised it will be approximately 2000 to replace . I will be bring it to the dealer in the next week for their inspection and assessment as this issue has been noted in the Auto Saftey letter to Nissan North American CEO in fall of 2021 requesting recall
Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2021
The dash of the car has melted causing a glare on the windshield of the car making it hard to see out the windshield. Especially on very sunny days. The dash is sticky and car smells when entering it.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 7, 2021
I have three issues with this car. The dash has melted, so much so I could not see out the windshield if the sun was out. The glare on the dash was blinding. I called Nissan and spoke to agent 'shelly', ID #7312915, case # 32725497 in September 2018. I took it to one Nissan dealership and they said not a manufacturing defect, but gave me a quote of $3500 to repair. Took to another Nissan dealership and they gave me another quote for a repair using a dash from the junk yard for 1/2 the price. I gave up and finally purchased a dash cover in August 2019 for around $300 from carparts.com and installed it myself. Very much a driving/safety concern! The sunroof leaks if more than a sprinkle. The back floor board stand in 3" of water. I have to take it to the dealership to have the headliner ripped out to clean the waterline from sunroof to outside (rear wheel well). I have taken it in 2-3 times at a cost of ~$150 each time. I need to go back now, but have currently duct taped the sunroof shut. The VDC and slip light, brake light and tire pressure lights are on. Have had them reset. Last time they told me to disregard the brake light. Just ignore it.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2021
My 2010 Nissan Altima has a sticky dash. I am getting reflections in the windshield when I drive. I use a sun screen when my vehicle is parked. The sticky is getting on the bottom of my sunscreen. The sticky on the sun screen gets on the wind shield. I have called Nissan customer service. I was told my vehicle is out of warranty. Nissan can't do anything about the sticky dash. Nissan customer service did not offer a solution to the sticky dash problem. I think the sticky dash is a safety problem because it will probably get worse. Nissan knew about sticky dashes and could have recalled my vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2021
the whole dashboard area cracked and is melting
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.