2010 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
The 2010 Nissan Altima has 380 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (141 complaints) and electrical (98 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 36/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Altima, consider the 2025 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Nissan Altima dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 SP...
Risk
IF SEVERAL STRUCTURAL WELDS ARE OUT OF SPECIFICATION ON A SINGLE VEHICLE, IT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE VEHICLE CRASH PERFORMANCE.
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.
Reported Jul 5, 2010
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 50 | 12 | 42 | 62 | 10 |
| 2001 | 58 | 5 | 35 | 69 | 5 |
| 2002 | 187 | 27 | 108 | 717 | 23 |
| 2003 | 175 | 8 | 90 | 590 | 20 |
| 2004 | 79 | 8 | 34 | 144 | 11 |
| 2005 | 455 | 31 | 104 | 419 | 82 |
| 2006 | 300 | 19 | 70 | 371 | 63 |
| 2007 | 198 | 71 | 92 | 87 | 50 |
| 2008 | 593 | 84 | 187 | 88 | 72 |
| 2009 | 806 | 37 | 493 | 125 | 86 |
| 2010 | 141 | 25 | 98 | 59 | 57 |
| 2011 | 82 | 12 | 40 | 47 | 60 |
| 2012 | 110 | 16 | 88 | 82 | 127 |
| 2013 | 663 | 38 | 956 | 198 | 443 |
| 2014 | 296 | 21 | 509 | 97 | 183 |
| 2015 | 252 | 21 | 446 | 86 | 136 |
| 2016 | 130 | 9 | 112 | 103 | 190 |
| 2017 | 107 | 17 | 92 | 56 | 109 |
| 2018 | 78 | 44 | 64 | 15 | 22 |
| 2019 | 82 | 29 | 46 | 58 | 8 |
| 2020 | 66 | 16 | 37 | 41 | 12 |
| 2021 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 7 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 2023 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2010 Nissan Altima stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
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 alarming and dangerous. The problem has not yet been inspected by a shop, dealer, police officer, or insurance adjuster. I do not have the part for inspection as it is shattered in or off the highway somewhere and trying to retrieve it would have been very dangerous.
Vehicle caught on fire my be a electrical problem
Vehicle doesn't work properbaliy
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 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that she would receive a call back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
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 the car in 2022. This just started ~7/31/2025.
UNKNOWN
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
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 before. I contact Sysco corporate office to report the incident and they said they will take care of it and to make a police report. I call immediately and am put on hold for nearly 90 minutes then am disconnected. I go to make an in person report and the police department is closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I notify the department of transportation and the California attorney general of my situation and how my car is not working like before. This should be investigated. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 battery. Thank goodness I wasn't travelling, stopped at a rest area & came out to a dead battery. I have to pull my backup for the mileage reference first time I had a dead battery. I can't upload any information because of not enough memory, but I do have all backup.
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 this started. I only have 92,000 miles on my Altima. So far so good with the latest battery, fingers crossed. Start date below is approximate, have to pull my paperwork.
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. When I pulled over Flames was coming from the front right side and spread it to the center of the front hood, then spread it to the front seat and passenger side seat of the vehicle. I didn’t call 911 and fire services responded and put the fire out. According to the Montgomery Police Department, Delano police support Center vehicle was not involved in any type of car accident.
I HAVE A CVT TRANSMISSION IS MY CAR, AND ITS TERRIBLY SCARY. IT SHIFTS IF IT WANT TOO I TRY TO SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY HOPING TO HELP IT SHIFT IT STILL DONT I HAVE TO COME ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. I GET OFF THE GAS CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND OR STALLS AND SHAKES AND THEN TAKES OFF. TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR LITERALLY GOES NO WHERE THAN MINS LATER IT JUST TAKES OFF WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON GAS PEDAL. LOTS OF HESISTATION SHUDDERING LURCHING STALLING ITS REALLY SCARY TO DRIVE AT NIGHT TIME AND THROUGH BUSY PLACES. YOU PUT IT GEARS AND IT EVEN JUMPS AND OR ROCKS BACK AND FORTH
THIS CAR DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY MELTING AND THE CHEMICALS THATS BEING RELEASED ARE VERY SMELLY AND EYE BURNING. FROM THE VENTS DOWN TO RIGHT BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT HAS PIECES MISSING CONTROL UNITS DONT EVEN SIT IN ORIGINAL PLACE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASH IS MELTING AND WONT HOLD TOGETHER AND CHEMICALS ARE RELEASED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. TURN THE AC DEBRIS COMES OUT AND EYES BURN TO THE POINT EVERY ONE HAS TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. EYES BURN REGUARDLESS OF AC BUT WHEN ITS ON ITS 10X WORSE. IVE OWNED THIS CAR 2 YEARS AND ITS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I GOT IT.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that seat air bag warning light remained illuminated after starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
The dashboard is melted. The shiny surface that this melted area has created causes a terrible glare when driving during the day to the point where it is difficult to see the road or oncoming traffic well. The surface is extremely sticky to the touch. Melting has progressively been getting worse.
- Fuel system and Gauge - Smell of gas in the car, gas gurgles out of the filler tube. Concerned of driving the car with the smell of gas. - Dealer says repair it's not covered yet there's a recall bulletin on this problem (Nissan TSB NTB17-030). Say's diagnosing the problem isn't covered nor the repair. - NO - Fuel gauge reacts very slowly, won't go past halfway point. Can only fill $5 dollars of gas into the tank.
2010 Nissan altam the front strut insulators on both sides have really bad cracks on the upper insulators. It's a loud clunking noise going over bumps or just driving on flat surfaces. There's a recall on 09 and 10 maxima and altamas with the same issues but this one isn't showing up for a recall.
When parked letting the car warm up constant shaking kinda a rough ideal at times. From park to reverse it shifts hard the to drive its ok I guess then on the go it's like driving a boat on land loud knocking sounds seems like the tires are flat or about to explode off the car really nerve-wracking
Dashboard is melting and cracking. Glare makes it hard to see out of the windshield.
At some point on the highway the car throttles down to less than 60 mph. Mashing the gas pedal to the floor results in nothing happening. This causes a dangerous road situation with the slower speed, but the worst part is when it suddenly begins to accelerate again, potentially hitting the car in front of you unexpectedly. No mechanic can reproduce the effect as it only takes place after driving on the highway for an hour or so.
380 total