Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Nissan Altima problems

Owners filed 381 complaints about the 2010 Nissan Altima with NHTSA between Mar 2010 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (74).

Complaints
381
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
25
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
37
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system74
  2. Power train73
  3. Air bags61
  4. Engine50
  5. Suspension31
  6. Structure30
  7. Service brakes28
  8. Visibility/wiper22
  9. Steering20
  10. Vehicle speed control20
  11. Exterior lighting7
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)7
  13. Seat belts6
  14. Tires6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201020
201120
201221
201318
201456
201533
201643
201726
201837
201933
202014
202116
202211
202316
20249
20254
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

74 reports2 crashes4 fires
“I am having problems with my ECU malfunctioning which is causing my catalytic converter my exhaust manifold and my O2 sensors to malfunction. I'm having all the same issues as the recall campaign reference number NTB 12-040 d”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11668297

Power train

73 reports4 crashes
“At some point on the highway the car throttles down to less than 60 mph. Mashing the gas pedal to the floor results in nothing happening. This causes a dangerous road situation with the slower speed, but the worst part is when it suddenly begins to accelerate again, potentially hitting the car in front of you unexpectedly. No mechanic can reproduce the effect as it only takes place after driving on the highway for an hour or so.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2023Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11535771

Air bags

61 reports14 crashes1 fire
“Around 12:30 pm Sysco driver [XXX] illegally parked on the San Diego California street blocking off traffic. I made a note of the drivers identification because of the awkward closeness to my vehicle. I went to an appointment about an hour away and upon my return I immediately noticed tension and pulling with my suspension that was not there before. I contact Sysco corporate office to report the incident and they said they will take care of it and to make a police report. I call immediately and am put on hold for nearly 90 minutes then am disconnected. I go to make an in person report and the police department is closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I notify the department of transportation and the California attorney general of my situation and how my car is not working like before. This should be investigated.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2024Suspension, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11627076

Engine

50 reports1 crash5 fires
“Yes, while driving down Atlanta Highway I was going around 55 mph then all of a sudden saw smoke was coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. When I pulled over Flames was coming from the front right side and spread it to the center of the front hood, then spread it to the front seat and passenger side seat of the vehicle. I didn’t call 911 and fire services responded and put the fire out. According to the Montgomery Police Department, Delano police support Center vehicle was not involved in any type of car accident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2024Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11586905

Suspension

31 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered severe corrosion on the rear cross-member. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive because the corrosion affected several parts of the vehicle. The mechanic informed the contact about NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V358000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that she would receive a call back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2025SuspensionODI 11689691

Structure

30 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“Inspection is available, but note that car is in very poor shape and melted. All persons in the vehicle at the time of the incident were in extreme danger as the car showed no warning signed in the engine heat or check lights in the dashboard before the engine sputtered and slowed, the electrical sparked, and the whole front of the car caught on fire. The fire spread on a matter of 10 minutes and burst the windshield and front tires from the flames. Police inspected the remains of the vehicle and were unable to discover the source outside of the leaking oil still on fire by the electrical unit. Claim has been reported to insurance provider for their review.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2023Electrical system, Structure, EngineFire reportedODI 11516222
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.