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
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 13, 2018
DRIVING ON I95 FROM GATLINBURG MY CAR STARTED MAKE A HORRIBLE WHINING NOISIE, SHUCK IT'S HAS DONE BEFORE JUST NOT THIS BAD, IT HAS BEFORE BUT I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AND JUST STOPPED AND LET IT SIT AND IT STOPPED . NOW IT HAPPENS EVERYTTIME I GET IN THE CAR. OR THAT I HAVE TO BEG IT GO WHEN IT'S IN GEAR, WHEN I PULL OUT I'D DOESN'T GO. I'VE NOTICE IF I SLAM IT FROM TO PARK FORCEFULLY TO DRIVE IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE UNTIL THE WHINING AND JERKING START. I KNOW THIS IS A TRANNY ISSUE AND I I KNOW IT'S WARRANTY RORB10 YRS OR 120000 MILES I'M AT 102! AND I CAN'T DRIVE THIS CAR PLEASE HELP!!!
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2018
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS POOR VISIBILITY WHEN IT IS RAINING, ALTHOUGH I HAVE TRIED MANY THINGS DO NOT IMPROVE, THE WATER STAYS IN THE GLASS IN A WAY THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE LEFT THE AGENCY, BUT I THOUGHT I COULD SOLVE IT WITH SOME PRODUCT, BUT NOTHIN
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2018
MY DASH BOARD IS SUPER STICKY/TACKY, AND HAS A GLARE WHEN DRIVING, WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE FRONT PIECES WITH A PRY TOOL, THE DASH PEELS OFF IN CHUNKS AND REMAINS STUCK ON YOUR FINGER/ PRY TOOL LIKE A MELTED WAX. IT'S NOT THE SAME CONSISTENCY AS THE GLOVE BOX, YOU CAN STICK YOUR FINGERNAIL IN IT AND IT LEAVES INTENTIONS, MY PAINT IS ALSO COMING OFF IN LARGE SPOTS ALL OVER THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2018
THERE IS A OIL SMELL COMING THROUGH THE AIR CONDITION VENT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN THE HEAT IS ON.THE SMELL IS STRONG .THE ONLY TIME WHEN THE SMELL IS NOT COMING OUT IS WHEN THE AC/HEATER IS OFF OR WHEN I HAVE THE UNIT ON CIRCULATION AND AC ON AT THE SAME TIME.IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAR I TRAVEL THE SMELL IS THERE.THE VOLUME CONTROL OF THE AC/HEATER HAS A DELAY OF COMING ON,.I WANT TO KNOW WHY IS THIS CAR DOING THIS ,IT'S A 2010 IT ALSO LOOK LIKE IT HAS SOME WATER DAMAGE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND HAS A VERY BAD GLARE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. THIS CAUSES VISION TO BE VERY POOR AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND OTHER CARS AND PEDESTRIAN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE GLARE. THE ISSUE WITH THE DASHBOARD IS THE SAME AS THE LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED AGAINST NISSAN BY A GIRARD GIBBS AND NISSAN LOST. BUT IT WAS FOR 2008-2009 MODELS. I TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN AND THE COST TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD IS $2634.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 28, 2017, fire
ON 9/10/17 ABOUT NOON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON, PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE LOOKING FOR SERVICE PHONE NUMBER, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, EXITED THE CAR, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2017
NOISE COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WHETHER CAR IN MOTION OR STILL WITH AIR STILL COOLING. DEALER HAD NEVER SEEN WHERE AIR COMPRESSOR WAS LOOSE AND ONLY BEING HELD BY BELTS. COULD HAVE CAUSED GREAT ISSUES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. REPLACED AIR COMPRESSOR AT A COST OF OVER $1200.
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
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2016
CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY IS GOOD. THE KEY FAIL/MALFUNCTION SIGNAL KEEPS BLINKING. NOW CAR IS STUCK IN ON POSITION FROM WHEN I PUSHED THE START BUTTON.
Other or unspecified, Sep 12, 2016
DASH IS SO MELTED AND REFLECTS SUN SO MUCH IT I CANNOT SEE WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR 2008 AND 2009 ALTIMAS FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. TOYOTA RECALLED FOR THEIR MELTED DASHBOARD. NHTSA NEEDS TO CARE ABOUT OUR SAFETY AND RECALL ALTIMAS!
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 5, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING. IT CREATES A GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN I'M DRIVING AFFECTING MY VISION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2016
DASHBOARD MELTING , GETTING STICKING AND GLARING ON FRONT GLASS WHEN DRIVING, IS VERY UNSAFE AND IT NEED TO BE REPLACE PLEASE BY MANUFACTURER
Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2016
MELTED DASH CAUSING LACK OF VISIBILITY DUE TO LIGHT REFLECTS ON DRIVER. COMPLAINT FILED WITH NISSAN AND DENIED.
Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 ALTIMA IS MELTING. I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROCESS FOR 2008 AND 2009 MODELS BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING RELATED TO THE 2010 MODEL YEAR. BESIDES BEING UNSIGHTLY AND ANNOYING AS MANY PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD ARE SOFT AND PERMANENTLY STICKY IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. IN CERTAIN LIGHTING CONDITIONS THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD REFLECTING OFF THE SHINY MELTING AREAS IS QUITE SIGNIFICANT INDICATED THIS OCCURRED ON 3/1/15 AS A DATE WAS REQUIRED. OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS DETERIORATED OVER TIME AND I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2015
DASH BOARD IS MELTING. HAS BECOME STICKY AND SHINNY CAUSING A GLARE WHEN SUN HITS IT. THIS OCCURS FROM EXPOSURE TO THE SUNLIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2015
AT THE DEALERSHIP LOT, THE CAR WAS STARTING FINE. AS SOON AS WE GOT HOME , THE CAR WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY, SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN 30 MINUTES AND ONE DAY MY WIFE WAS STRANDED AT A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT FOR HOURS BEFORE IT STARTED. SINCE IT'S BEEN PARKED AT HOME FOR A WHOLE WEEK AND HALF, THE CAR WON'T START AT ALL, THE BATTERY IS BRAND NEW AND I PURCHASED IT PRE-OWNED WITHOUT WARANTY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S ISSUES WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEY AND THE WHEELS LOCKING CONTROL SYSTEM. IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THE CAR, I HAVE TO GO TO WORK BUT THE CAR IS STOPPING ME TO MAKE IT TO WORK.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 30, 2015
AS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO "GRAB" AND TOO EXTRA PRESSURE. STOP WAS RATHER SLOW, AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKES APPEARED TO KICK IN (BY ROUGH, STACCATO SHAKING TYPICAL OF THEM APPLYING). ONLY BY PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD DID I PREVENT SMASHING INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. DRY, SUNNY FLORIDA CONDITIONS, NO SAND OR SLIPPING AT ALL, JUST SLOW, ODD BRAKING. THEN THE ENGINE SEEMED TO BE REVVING A BIT - FASTER IDLING THAN NORMAL WHILE AT THE STOP LIGHT. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT SPEEDING HERE, OR SUDDEN BRAKING, JUST A NORMAL APPROACH TO A KNOWN STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES, THEN DID NOT REPEAT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. THEN, WHEN IT DID REPEAT, I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT. ALWAYS AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, ALWAYS IN DANGER OF SMASHING INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME OR ENTERING TOO FAR INTO THE INTERSECTION IF I COULD NOT CONTROL THE STOP. THEY WERE COMPLETELY PUZZLED, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT BECAUSE, AS I SAID, IT IS VERY SPORADIC. AN ISPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING. THEY LAUGHED AT ME, SAYING IT WAS TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO KICK IN IF THERE IS NO SKIDDING. OK, SO WHAT WAS IT THEN? IT SURE AS HECK SEEMED LIKE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES! (I COME FROM UP NORTH AND HAVE EXPERIENCED ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICKING IN ON SNOW COVERED ROADS...) SINCE THE INITIAL REOCCURRENCE, IT WENT SEVERAL MONTHS, ABOUT SIX, WITH NO ISSUES OR REPEATS, THEN JUST THE OTHER DAY, IT DID IT AGAIN TWICE MORE. I SUSPECT IT COULD BE SOMETHING TO DO WITH COMPUTER CONTROLS, RATHER THAN THE BRAKES THEMSELVES, BUT I AM NO MECHANIC.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 15, 2014
SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST WEEK, THE CAR WILL NOT START DURING IGNITION DUE TO THE INABILITY TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO START IS TO REPEATEDLY HIT THE BRAKES WHILE PRESSING THE START BUTTON. IT NEVER CONSISTENTLY WORKS BUT EVENTUALLY STARTS. AFTER STARTING, THE ABS, VDC, AND SLIP WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING WITH THIS MODEL FROM OTHER OWNERS. THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK TO HEALTH PARTICULARLY IN TIMES WHERE ONE MAY NEED TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. MORE OFTEN, IT IS AN EXTREME INCONVENIENCE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WANT TO CHARGE OVER $500 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND SYSTEMATIC. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS MANY ALTIMA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FRUSTRATION THAT I HAVE ENDURED. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 24, 2014
MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING. ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TURNOVER. AT FIRST I COULD GET IT TO START AFTER A FEW TRIES (I WOULD PUMP THE BRAKES, SLAM THE CAR HOOD, BANG ON THE STEERING WHEEL). THEN I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING THE VDS (TRACTION CONTROL), ABS AND PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THIS MEANT THAT MY VDS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AND AS SUCH I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES ON WET SURFACES. ON 4/22/2014 I TRIED STARTING MY CAR AND COULD NOT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP (ORR NISSAN IN CORINTH TEXAS) WHERE THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT IT REQUIRED A NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, HARNESS AND BAND HOSES. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS A NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN AS THIS WAS A "KNOWN ISSUE". SO MUCH SO THAT NISSAN HAD ACTUALLY DEVELOPED A MORE DEPENDABLE BRAKE SWITCH. THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER IS NTB10-139- WHICH WAS RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 23RD 2010. HE TOLD ME TO REPAIR IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER 500.00. THE FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT CAUSES THE CAR TO THROW ERROR CODES WHICH DEACTIVATES THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN A RECALL? WHY IS A DEALERSHIP CHARGING 500 DOLLARS TO REPAIR A MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENT THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS RELEASED, THE MANUFACTURE ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS FAULTY? FURTHERMORE, BASED ON MY CALCULATIONS THE DEALERSHIP IS PUTTING A 300% MARK UP ON THE PARTS REQUIRED. WHY WOULD THE NHTSA WAIT UNTIL SOMEBODY DIES IN A CRASH CAUSED BY THE VDS AND ABS FEATURES NOT WORKING BEFORE THEY FORCE A RECALL/REPAIR OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE? I AM SENDING A COPY OF THIS TO LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2010
2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES TO INQUIRE ABOUT KEYLESS IGNITION *TGW