NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 393 owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Altima (including the hybrid).
Recalled components: equipment, body structure, and suspension. Most-described problem: the engine not starting (33 complaints, 8%). Most-reported area: electrical system (78 complaints, 20%; median mileage when it happened: 48,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical Altima year
The 2010 drew 64 owner complaints in its first three years, against 70 for a typical Altima year. Best years are picked only from 2016 on, since counts for older years say less: owners filed fewer complaints in the early 2010s.
Years to avoid: 2013 to 2015; best years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The fix and full notice
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.
or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system.
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.
The fix and full notice
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.
or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 altima vehicles manufactured from april 7, 2010 through april 13, 2010.
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 altima and maxima passenger cars. The upper front strut insulators may have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack.
Risk: 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 and full notice
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. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-nissan1(1-800-647-7261).
or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .
NHTSA listing: ALTIMA.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2010 Nissan Altima.
What owners report
Owners have filed 393 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Altima. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Won't start33 · 8%
Median 50,000 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
Airbag warning light or airbag fault26 · 7%
Median 49,000 miles at failure, from 21 reports with mileage
Hesitation or slow acceleration22 · 6%
Median 41,500 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off19 · 5%
Suspension parts (struts, ball joints, control arms)18 · 5%
Median 77,000 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode17 · 4%
Median 105,000 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Median 48,000 miles at failure, from 62 reports with mileage
Powertrain75 · 19%
Most named: automatic transmission (11) · Median 55,400 miles at failure, from 64 reports with mileage
Air bags62 · 16%
Most named: frontal (4) · Median 51,000 miles at failure, from 48 reports with mileage
Engine54 · 14%
Median 71,500 miles at failure, from 44 reports with mileage
Brakes32 · 8%
Median 48,300 miles at failure, from 28 reports with mileage
Suspension31 · 8%
Median 77,100 miles at failure, from 22 reports with mileage
Body structure30 · 8%
Most named: body (17) · Median 61,000 miles at failure, from 20 reports with mileage
Unknown or other70 · 18%
Median 70,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Nissan Altima recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2010 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2013 Altima drew the most (556) and the 2010 drew 64.
Owner complaints
2010: 393 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Nissan Altima
Model year
Complaints
2010
393
2011
245
2012
426
2013
2,312
2014
1,114
2015
954
2016
553
2017
391
2018
225
2019
232
2020
179
2021
70
2022
30
2023
29
2024
41
2025
7
2026
1
Safety recalls
2010: 3 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Nissan Altima
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
1
2012
4
2013
12
2014
8
2015
10
2016
4
2017
3
2018
2
2019
7
2020
6
2021
2
2022
0
2023
0
2024
1
2025
2
2026
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 393 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Nissan Altima, the problems described most are the engine not starting (33), the airbag warning light or an airbag fault (26), and hesitation or slow acceleration (22). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2010 Nissan Altima?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2010 Nissan Altima.
How do I check if my Altima has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Nissan dealers for vehicles up to 15 years old from first sale.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.