2010 Nissan Frontier: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Nissan Frontier: 4 recalls, 59 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #10V208000 · 2010 · 41,649 vehicles
What's wrong: The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars May contain welds that do not meet strength specifications.
Why it matters: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2010.
Child seat Vehicle recall #10V372000 · 2010 · 951 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the weld between the tether anchor and the seat gusset bracket is out-of-specification. As a result, and based on Nissan's engineering judgment, the tether anchor could separate from the seat when tested under the conditions required by the standard.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the tether anchorage could separate from the vehicle seat increasing the risk of injury to an occupant in a child seat that uses the tether anchor.
The fix: The seat gusset containing the tether anchorage will be replaced with a new one free of charge. The safety recall began on August 30, 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V067000 · 2023 · 404,690 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driverâs airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #10E019000 · 2010 · 1,873 vehicles
What's wrong: 54501zq00a, 54500zq00a, 551a1zq00a, 551a0zq00a , 54501ea00a, 54500ea00a, 551a1ea500, 551a0ea500, 54501zr00a, and 54500zr00a, sold between November 25, 2009 and May 14, 2010 as replacement parts for model year 2004 through 2010 titan, armada, and qx56, and model years 2005 through 2010 frontier, xterra, and pathfinder vehicles. The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment…
Why it matters: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected lower link free of charge. The safety recall began on July 12, 2010.
Equipment Equipment recall #10E043000 · 2010 · 294 vehicles
What's wrong: These seat covers are made of heavier thread and are not compatible with seats containing side airbags. The heavier seat cover could interfere with full deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: An improperly deployed airbag could result in serious injury.
The fix: Marathon will notify owners of record and replace the seat cover free of charge. The safety recall began on September 14, 2010.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (19): the most common themes are warning light on (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (15): the most common themes are leaks (7), hard / delayed shifting (6), noise or vibration (2).
- Electrical (9): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), noise or vibration (4), won't start (2).
- Engine (7): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), leaks (2).
The 2010 Nissan Frontier has 59 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 29 Frontier model years for complaints (well below the 116 average). Complaints peaked in 2011 (9 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 41,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (37 complaints, 3 recalls), 2011 (64 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | 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 Frontier.
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 Frontier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2010 Nissan Frontier, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. 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 Frontier problems?
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (19), transmission & drivetrain (15), electrical (9).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 Nissan Frontier 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.