Problems · by component
2010 Nissan Altima engine problems
50 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Nissan Altima cite engine, 13% of all 381 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
50
13% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
“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.”
“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.”
“Ever since i got the car in May of 2022 I have had problems with my transmission, engine and problems with excessive oil leaking. I’ve tried to get it fixed. None of the repairs have fixed my car even with my warranty and I’m still having problems with it. I have also needed to get a valve cover replacement and many repairs to my engine. My dashboard also has difficulties working and turning on. Sometimes my brakes are faulty and require changes frequently. I also have no seatbelts in my backseat”
“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.”
“Before I started my trip to New Smyrna Beach, FL on May 28, 2022. I made sure my son checked the oil, the coolant, and my tire pressure. Car was running fine. Got on the highway and the car started making a load noise. I was able to get off the exit in Ormondo Beach, FL to check and see what was wrong. In the process I had to call my Husband and son. They came from Jacksonville, FL to check the car. The car temperature gauge went over half then back down. After resting for a while. My husband check the oil and it was low. He added oil and Lucas's oil. He drove the car back to Jacksonville, because I was afraid it might catch fire. We got 3 minutes from home; the car stalled out because he had to stop for a traffic light. And the black cloud of smoke came from the hood and back of the car. When had to push the car home. The car didn't give me no warning on the oil being low.”
Showing 6 of 50 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.