2010 Nissan Altima: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Nissan Altima: 3 recalls, 381 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #09V358000 · 2009 · 26,398 vehicles
What's wrong: The upper front strut insulators May have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack.
Why it matters: If the strut insulator is cracked, there is a potential for the strut rod to come out of its mounting position, which could affect vehicle stability and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #10V193000 · 2010 · 113 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of the front side member assembly components May not have been welded to specification due to a tool maintenance error.
Why it matters: If several structural welds are out of specification on a single vehicle, it May have an effect on the vehicle crash performance.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary repair free of charge. The safety recall began on May 13, 2010.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V401000 · 2010 · 7,948 vehicles
What's wrong: The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
Why it matters: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 37 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (74): the most common themes are electrical failure (27), door / lock issues (16), stalls / loses power (13).
- Transmission & drivetrain (73): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (19), warning light on (13), stalls / loses power (12).
- Other / unknown (70): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), won't start (4).
- Airbags (61): the most common themes are warning light on (12), fails to deploy (11).
The 2010 Nissan Altima has 381 owner complaints, ranking #14 of 34 Altima model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 455). Complaints peaked in 2014 (56 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 53,128 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (1547 complaints, 4 recalls), 2011 (241 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 27 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 Nissan Altima.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2010 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2010 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2010 Nissan Altima problems?
Owners have filed 381 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (74), transmission & drivetrain (73), other / unknown (70).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Altima get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 Nissan Altima repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.