Is the 2010 Nissan Altima a bad year?
381 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 73, 7.3× a quiet Altima year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 7.3× the complaints of a quiet Altima year, spread over 24k–124k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Altima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 55,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 74 (19%) | 25k–76k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 73 (19%) | 24k–124k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 61 (16%) | 22k–101k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 54 (14%) | 38k–108k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 32 (8%) | 29k–64k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 30 (8%) | 30k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 28 (7%) | 18k–73k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 20 (5%) | 25k–123k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 7 (2%) | 42k–118k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 31 (8%) | 60k–120k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 20 (5%) | 60k–106k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 7 (2%) | 58k–109k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 55,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 381 complaints: 25 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 20 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My check engine light came on and I made an appointment for monday at planet nissan. On saturday 1/24/15 the light went off, but I've heard some knocking and the steering makes a rubbing sound.
After driving at highway speeds for several hours , then exiting and coming to a full stop, the auto will barely move in drive or reverse when given gas.
I have already drafted a more detailed document reflecting all the details experienced with my issue in regards to part: transmission cooler, part #21606-ZX59A; Nissan Altima 2010.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 55,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Nissan Altima: 3
The batteries contained in the affected GPS units can overheat. Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
Some of the front side member assembly components may not have been welded to specification due to a tool maintenance error. If several structural welds are out of specification on a single vehicle, it may have an effect on the vehicle crash performance.
The upper front strut insulators may have been manufactured out of specification resulting in a potential for the strut insulator to crack. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 82
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Nissan Altima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Clicking noise from front or rear axle during take-off/acceleration
DTC P0456 caused by EVAP leak at vent control valve o-ring
MIL on with DTC P2423 note
CVT fail-safe condition
Neighbouring years
2009 Altima: 1,547 complaints, keep it · 2011 Altima: 242 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Nissan Altima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Altima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2010 Nissan Altima a bad year?
381 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 73, 7.3× a quiet Altima year. At 55,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 7.3× the complaints of a quiet Altima year, spread over 24k–124k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Altima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (74), transmission and drivetrain (73), air bags (61), engine (54), brakes (32). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 24k–124k miles.
How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Altima have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 10V-401), Body structure (NHTSA 10V-193), Suspension (NHTSA 09V-358). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.