Research
2010 Nissan 3 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan 3 Series. Most complaints involve steering (62) and electrical system (30).
Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
110
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2010 Nissan 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
110 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2012 – May 2025
- Steering62
- Electrical system30
- Power train26
- Air bags6
- Engine4
- Seats3
- Exterior lighting3
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Structure1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2003 | 275 |
| 2004 | 144 |
| 2005 | 83 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 73 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 153 |
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2011 | 40 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 17 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Steering
62 reports
“As of 05/20/2025 my vehicle would not detect the Key in the vehicle to start. Put the Key in the slot to detect just in case it’s a bad battery on the Fob and nothing was being detected. Found out the steering lock unit is faulty. Called a local Nissan dealership and was told my VIN does not fall under a recall but I am having issues regarding the recall that has been sent out to some customers regarding the steering lock unit. Not too sure what can be done at this point.”
Electrical system
30 reports
“THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON ON THE DASH. CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, BUT ONLY HAS 24073 MILES ON IT. NISSAN DEALER IDENTIFIED ERROR CODE B1018. OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. NISSAN QUOTED $4767 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BASE ASSEMBLY. STATED SENSOR WAS INTEGRATED INTO THE SEAT AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT NISSAN HAD A "VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN" FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THE 2007-2008 NISSAN 350Z. NISSAN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 08-095D IS GERMANE. THE PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED AS A FAILED OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM VARISTOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION. THIS IS A SENSOR THAT LETS THE CAR KNOW WHETHER OR NOT AN AIRBAG SHOULD FIRE, DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT. DID NISSAN EVER CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE? I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, (CASE 42872979), BUT THEY WERE NO ASSISTANCE (ONLY STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY). THIS IS A SAFETY ITEM THAT, IN MY OPINION, NISSAN SHOULD WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, OR AT A MINIMUM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME COMPONENT ON THE PRIOR MODEL (350Z).…”
Power train
26 reports
“MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS 40000 AND IT'S ALREADY SLIPPING GOING FROM 5TH GEAR TO 4TH GEAR ALSO WHEN I DO A HARD STOP THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE FOR A SEC THEN IT WILL JUMP INTO GEAR.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Nissan 3 Series as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 5799
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2010 3 Series questions
How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan 3 Series have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.
What are the most common 2010 Nissan 3 Series problems?
Owners filed 110 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (62), electrical system (30), power train (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026