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
381 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 16, 2019
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CLOGGED CAUSING CAR TO NOT HAVE ANY POWER.IT HAPPENED COMING OFF THE FWY .
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2019
THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS AREN'T WORKING. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER AND BACK DRIVERS SIDE WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR SWITCHES. THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WILL LOCK WITH THE FOB AND SWITCH, BUT IT WON'T UNLOCK. DRIVERS SIDE HAS TO BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES WHEN CAR IS ON WHETHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. WAS TOLD ITS THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION AND THE WHOLE CUSHION HAS TO BE REPLACED. AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT FIXED ASAP. VERY FRUSTRATING...AT A COST OVER $1000.00.
Power train, Engine, Nov 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2019
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CREATING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, SOMETIMES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.
Steering, Suspension, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 15, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALL NISSAN CHESAPEAKE (3417 WESTERN BRANCH BLVD, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23321, (877) 475-0728) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE WAS LEAKING FLUID, BOTH CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE HIGH PRESSURE LINE WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,194.
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2019
MY DASHBOARD HAS MELTED AND IT CAUSES FOR THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO BUILD A FILM. ITS DIFFICULT TO CLEAN AND I HAVE TO CLEAN I AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. THE GLARE OFF THE MELTED DASH MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE OUTSIDE. I HAVE INCLUDED SOME PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2019
MY DASHBOARD ON MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING/STICKY AND THE GEAR HANDLE IS STICKY AND I'VE CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. I WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD! IT'S HARD TO SEE, IT LOOKS LIKE THE SUN IS SHINING DIRECTLY INTO YOUR EYES. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD AND NISSAN DOES NOT CARE AT ALL.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2019
2010 ALTIMA WITH A MELTING AND CRACKING DASH BOARD SINCE I'VE MOVED TO FLORIDA. THE GLARE IMPAIRS VISUAL FIELD AND PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS.
Suspension, Oct 1, 2019
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHILST TURNING AT AT A JUNCTION. BACK END OF THE VEHICLE SWUNG OUT OF THE TURN AS IF ON ICE. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR RIGHT-HAND WHEEL WAS BENT AS IF THE WHEEL WAS FALLING OFF. ON FURTHER INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THE REAR SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN UP.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2019
THE DASH ON THE CAR IS MELTED. THERE IS A STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL IN THE CAR THAT WE CANNOT GET RID OF AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS TO REMOVE A FILM THAT CAUSES A HORRIBLE GLARE IN THE DAY AND AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY BOUGHT IN TEXAS BUT WE LIVE IN OKLAHOMA NOW. THE PROBLEM STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO BUT OVER TIME IT HAS JUST GOTTEN WORSE AND NOW THE DASH IS SO STICKY YOU CANNOT CLEAN IT OTHER THAN VACUUM THE BIG PIECES OFF.
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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2019
MY 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A "MELTING" DASH, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE DEFROSTER AREA. IT IS STICKY IN OTHER PARTS OF DASH ON SIDES AND WHERE IT IS MOLDED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON NBC5 IN DALLAS, TX IN THE MONTH OF JULY FOR 2008-2009 MODELS. TO MY SURPRISE, MY 2010 HAS SAME ISSUE. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN LOTS ALTIMA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE EXCEPT REPLACEMENT, OVER $1000 DOLLARS. I AM STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR (SINCE 2014) AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY NISSAN SINCE IT IS CAUSED BY THEM USING A SUB STANDARD MATERIAL. THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN MISSISSIPPI ACCORDING TO NISSAN. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CONTINUES TO DISINTEGRATE IN HIGH HEAT. CANNOT PARK IN SUN & CAN'T PUT SUN SCREEN UP WHERE MELTED, IT STICKS & MAKES PERMANENT MARKS IN DASH. SINCE IT APPEARS SHINY IT GIVES OFF A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A FIX. THIS IS MY SECOND ALTIMA AND IT DID NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE! I CAN PROVIDE PHOTO ON REQUEST.
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.
Service brakes, Jul 29, 2019
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED ON OUR 2010 ALTIMA 2.5. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSANS AND IS IN FACT THE SUBJECT OF A NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN, NUMBER NTB10-139. THE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL NISSAN SWITCH CAUSES A NO START SITUATION IF IT OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING, AND FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO LIGHT WHEN BRAKING IF IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN HAS RELEASED A REVISED SWITCH TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL DESIGN, BUT IN REVIEWING TRANSPORTATION.GOV AND CONTACTING THE DEALER, THERE IS NO RECALL OR MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY CAMPAIGN TO REMEDY THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THE REPAIR AT OUR OWN EXPENSE AND MY INITIATE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST NISSAN USA IF THERE IS NOT ALREADY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 28, 2019
AROUND 20 MPH WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP THE RPMS DO NOT GO DOWN AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE TO BRAKE HARD OR PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT EVENT- ONCE EVERY 5- 6 MONTHS.
Power train, Jul 16, 2019
TRANSMISSION SKIPPING
Power train, Jul 16, 2019
CAT TRANSMISSION GOING OUT
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2019
DASHBOARD IS MELTING/INCREDIBLY STICKY. CREATES A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD, PARTICULARLY ON SUNNY/BRIGHT DAYS, THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I'VE HEARD THAT OLDER MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
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.
Power train, Jul 8, 2019
MY CAR HESITATES TO PULL OUT UNTIL OVER 20 MPH I HAVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION WHICH IS THROWING A CODE I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A CAR LOT!
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Jun 22, 2019
MY STRUTS BEGINNING TO SOUND HORRIBLE. I WAS TRAVELING AND AS I WOULD SPEED UP THE RPMS WOULD GO HIGHER MAKING A WHISTLING NOISE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT HAD IT PUT ON A COMPUTER AND IT'S SAID TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID.
Engine, Jun 3, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. THE FLAMES CAME FROM DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. SMOKE FIRST SHOWED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER BEFORE THE FLAMES QUICKLY APPEARED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE 2 PASSENGERS INJURED THAT DID NOT REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION. THE TYPES OF INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2019
CATALYTIC CONVERTER ENGINE LIGHT