2010 Nissan Altima problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (43) · Air Bags (40) · Electrical System (27)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Altima model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
271 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2010-09-10 · campaign 10V401000 · 7,948 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Structure 2010-05-07 · campaign 10V193000 · 113 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (136)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication – network diagnostic flow chart this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB10-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
can communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 136 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-29 · Wheels“vehicle pulled out in front of me exiting from parallel park into oncoming traffic causing me to skid(slam brakes) & steer off into the other lane of traffic. when i got out to check the scenery & make sure she was okay, she flipped me off & proceeded to curse me out…”
2026-05-13 · Unknown Or Other“the sunroof completely dislodged from the vehicle and flew off into the traffic behind me on a highway. this included the entire sunroof - the frame, casing, window, mechanics and all! this was obviously a major safety issue for any vehicle driving behind me as well as a safety issue for me driving while such an explosive event occurred - highly al…”
2026-05-06 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“vehicle caught on fire my be a electrical problem …”
2026-01-23 · Unknown Or Other“vehicle doesn't work properbaliy…”
2025-09-25 · Suspension · 95,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 nissan altima. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered severe corrosion on the rear cross-member. the contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the corrosion affected several parts of the vehicle. the mechanic informed the contact about nhtsa campaign number: 09v358000 (suspens…”
2025-08-03 · Unknown Or Other“dashboard has started melting. front half of dash has started oozing a black, sticky, shiny tar-like substance in addition to an odor. sticks to everything and does not come off or stop oozing. spreading to more area of the dashboard. does create a glare on the windshield, obstructing visibility. have always used a sun shield since purchasing t…”
2025-06-21 · Power Train“i am having problems with my ecu malfunctioning which is causing my catalytic converter my exhaust manifold and my o2 sensors to malfunction. i'm having all the same issues as the recall campaign reference number ntb 12-040 d…”
2024-11-24 · Unknown Or Other“around 12:30 pm sysco driver [xxx] illegally parked on the san diego california street blocking off traffic. i made a note of the drivers identification because of the awkward closeness to my vehicle. i went to an appointment about an hour away and upon my return i immediately noticed tension and pulling with my suspension that was not there befo…”
2024-09-01 · Electrical System“batteries continue to go dead, have had at least 8 batteries since 2012. nissan started charging me for batteries got too be expensive & told them this is a huge concern because i travel alone & if i get stranded this is unsafe for me. gave me all kinds of excuses as to why batteries are going dead. again, my car is in the driveway with a dead b…”
2024-07-26 · Unknown Or Other“since 2011/2012 at times altima won't start. stopped going to dealer because of excuses & expense after warranty expired. have been calling aaa. have had at least 8 batteries replaced. this is a safety issue for me when i travel alone. when i turn the car off i pray evertime that the car starts. i have to pull my paperwork for exact date thi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.