MYRModel Year Report

2010 Nissan Xterra

▲ Better than typical
2010 Nissan Xterra
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:11:27.635Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Xterra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2010 highlighted. 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 214 complaints 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 84 complaints 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2007: 557 complaints 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2013: 4 complaints 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

AIR BAGS 29%

29% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20241114

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, 20240912

POWER TRAIN 26%

26% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file.

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, 20140111

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%

21% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 4 distinct reports on file.

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, 20140111

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, 20181207

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, 20180920

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 4 distinct reports on file.

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, 20140111

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20100419 — air bags, steering

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 V

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 SPECIFICA

Campaign 10V115000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100520 — suspension

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 H

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.

Campaign 10V208000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100712 — suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN

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.

Campaign 10E019000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100914 — equipment

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 VE

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.

Campaign 10E043000 — 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

I 20120611 — DP (closed 20161022)

Transmission Failures

R 20231208 — air bags

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.

Campaign 23V067000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2010 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V115000 (air bags, steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V208000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E019000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E043000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V401000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V067000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2003 ▲ 2004 ● 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2006 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

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 air bags, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Xterra have?

6 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.