Problems · by component

2010 Nissan Altima structure problems

30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Nissan Altima cite structure, 8% of all 381 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
30
8% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The dashboard is sticky and melty. It has also cracked open continuously from left to right across the entire front face of the dashboard. It continues to widen such that I can see some of the inside of the dashboard. There was a class action settlement made for 2008-2009 Altimas and this exact problem of melty and sticky dashboard. The car is available for inspection upon request. There are three primary concerns regarding this dashboard 1. glare from the melt causing accidents, 2. reduced function of safety systems, and 3. off gassing of plastic components proven to be carcinogenic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2022StructureODI 11494290
“My Nissan altima dashboard is melting and the reflection is causing glare on windshield in the sun. Salt buildup on the windshield in combination with a flash of bright sunlight suddenly caused visibility out of the windshield to be nonexistent. I caused an accident when this happen to me on the freeway, as I lost all visibility and started to swerve and slow down. I had pull to the shoulder blindly and almost died.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2022StructureCrash reportedODI 11455348
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracking and became sticky to the touch. The contact also stated that there was a glare in the windshield from the dashboard. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2021StructureODI 11442140
“concern: melting dashboard safety: visibility - the dashboard is very shiny and sticky, potential glare confirmation: Florida recalls have already been made against 2008 and 2009 Nissan vehicles, but nothing further. symptoms: no idea that the dashboard was melting; college student used vehicle corrective action taken: washing/cleaners do not improve or correct the issue. Also, the replacement cost and/or labor required to fix the issue is extremely limited for consumers to take on personally.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2021Structure, Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11430026
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A GLARE FROM THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTING OFF THE MELTING DASHBOARD POSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER JACKIE COOPER LOCATED AT 9898 S MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74133 WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2020StructureODI 11351104

Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Structure

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 7, 2010 THROUGH APRIL 13, 2010. SOME OF THE FRONT SIDE MEMBER ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED TO SPECIFICATION DUE TO A TOOL MAINTENANCE ERROR.

StructureReported May 7, 2010NHTSA 10V193000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026

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