MYRModel Year Report

2010 Nissan Xterra

▲ Better than typical
2010 Nissan Xterra
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:58:52.065Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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
38
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2010 38 2011: 24 complaints 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 38 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 38 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015

2010: 38 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
2000214
2001150
2002157
200372
200484
2005845
2006780
2007557
2008119
200919
201038
201124
201216
20134
201410
201510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

32% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing driveshaft and automatic transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I started the car to let it warm up. The manual gearshift was in neutral and the emergency brake was engaged. As I got out of the vehicle, it lurched forward and I attempted to get back into the vehicle to apply the brake.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-11

Also filed under Service brakes and engine

I have a 2010 Nissan Xterra I bought in aug 2010. I am constantly having to bring it into the dealership for repairs with same 3-4 issues. It now has apprx 8000 miles and needs a new set of tires which Nissan is refusing to change.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-04-03

Air bags

29% · 11 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The Nissan was in a severe accident and the air bag never deployed. There were 4 people in car when the accident occured. The passenger side air bag did deploy and those two people receved injuries but not life threating.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-14

After getting the air bag control module reprogrammed per the recall, I was on a dirt road and the rollover airbags deployed when they shouldn’t have.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-09-12

Electrical system

21% · 8 reports

Service brakes

11% · 4 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Sudden loss of power while driving between 10-15 MPH. Immediate loss of brakes, acceleration, and power steering. Vehicle was in motion on the 405 fwy/sepulveda pass area during morning rush hour in stop-go traffic conditions.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-07

Nissan Xterra has faulty ABS actuator and is less than 10 years old. The vehicles ABS, brake, slip, and vdc lights will come on while vehicle is in motion. The lights will go off and come back on periodically.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-20

Engine

11% · 4 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2010-04-19Air bags, steering10V115000 Nissan has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2010 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles manufactured from February 22, 2010 to March 13, 2010. On some of the potentially affected…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column and the passenger front air bag fasteners and any missing fasteners will be replaced and all loose fasteners will be retightened to the proper torque…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2010-05-20Suspension10V208000 Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 Titan, Armada, QX56, frontier, Xterra, and pathfinder vehicles manufactured from November 19, 2009 through March 3, 2010. The lower control link assembly…

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2010-07-12Suspension10E019000 Nissan is recalling certain front and rear lower links, p/nos. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, and 54500ZR00A, sold…

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected lower link free of charge. The safety recall began on July 12, 2010. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-09-14Equipment10E043000 Marathon is recalling certain seat covers, brand superhides with part numbers 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, and 630, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger…

    Remedy: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on September 14, 2010. Owners may contact marathon at 1-800-735-2769.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2010-09-16Equipment10V401000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2012-06-11Defect petitionClosed 2016-10-22 Transmission Failures
  7. R
    2023-12-08Air bags23V067000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V115000 · Air bags, steering
  • Recall 10V208000 · Suspension
  • Recall 10E019000 · Suspension
  • Recall 10E043000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V401000 · Equipment
  • Recall 23V067000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2010 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Nissan Xterra is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Xterra?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.