2010 Nissan Altima

◆ Worse than typical
2010 Nissan Altima
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Altima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2010 highlighted. 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 106 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1028 complaints 2008 2009: 1547 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2010 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 423 complaints 2013: 2303 complaints 2013 2014: 1111 complaints 2015: 941 complaints 2016: 544 complaints 2017: 382 complaints 2018: 223 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 172 complaints 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 28 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
2010: 380 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1993122
1994106
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021047
2003883
2004276
20051091
2006824
2007471
20081028
20091547
2010380
2011241
2012423
20132303
20141111
2015941
2016544
2017382
2018223
2019223
2020172
202167
202228
202328
202439
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 69 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle caught on fire my be a electrical problem

NHTSA ODI report, 20260506

Yes, while driving down Atlanta Highway I was going around 55 mph then all of a sudden saw smoke was coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240503

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171028

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 62 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 20120509

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100317

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 50 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Yes, while driving down Atlanta Highway I was going around 55 mph then all of a sudden saw smoke was coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240503

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171028

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20091008 — suspension

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 TH

Remedy: 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

Campaign 09V358000 — check if this car was fixed

2010 — complaint volume: 380
R 20100513 — structure

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 SPECI

Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100916 — equipment

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.

Remedy: 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 SEP

Campaign 10V401000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2010 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (69 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (62 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (55 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09V358000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V193000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V401000 (equipment) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2021 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2009 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2010 Nissan Altima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Nissan Altima is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Altima?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Altima have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.