Research · Small Station Wagons · 2 NHTSA variants

2010 Nissan CubeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 56 owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Cube. Most complaints involve electrical system (20) and steering (17). The EPA rates it 27–29 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
27–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2026
Owner complaints
56
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driver’s air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.

Air bagsReported Apr 10, 2026NHTSA 26V230000

Fuel system

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN CUBE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROTATED FOLLOWING A REAR MOVING BARRIER CRASH TEST AS REQUIRED, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE LIMITS.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 22, 2010NHTSA 10V330000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

56 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2010 – Aug 2026
  1. Electrical system20
  2. Steering17
  3. Air bags8
  4. Power train6
  5. Engine4
  6. Fuel/propulsion system3
  7. Tires3
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Wheels2

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 Cube model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009101
201056
201131
201219
20133
20147
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

20 reports1 crash
“Problem is the anti theft module located on the steering column has malfunctioned for my wife’s 2010 Nissan Cube keyless ignition. Vehicle would not restart for my wife after sitting for 5 hours, luckily she was not way off somewhere. From what I’ve seen Nissan did a recall of a similar defective module on other models but did not include the Cube. Nissan doesn’t even have the parts readily available for repair. Vehicle has been sitting at a repair shop for over a month now. This should be a safety issue as it could leave people totally stranded in the middle of nowhere with no meaningful way to repair the vehicle. The part number of the module is 487001 FA0C. It is believed that Nissan did not recall the Cube because of the low quantity of vehicles manufactured in relation to the other problem models.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11516327

Steering

17 reports
“MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHERE HIS COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE STEERING MODULE THAT STARTS THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT MY COST OF $971.00. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS PREVALENT IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO MINE AND THAT THEY WERE BEING REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN FOR MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE YEAR PRIOR TO MINE IS COVERED BUT MINE IS NOT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SERVICED AS REQUIRED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP ORIGINALLY, THEN CONTINUED BY MY MECHANIC. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THIS MANUFACTURER TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THIS DEFECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11311450

Air bags

8 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the parts were ordered. The contact stated that the parts had not been available for approximately 62 days. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Air bagsODI 11757388
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cube
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273129$2,200306
Cube
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253027$2,400329
  • Cube
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    27 city · 31 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Cube
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Nissan Cube as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 5876Vehicle 5888
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2010 Cube questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Cube have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Nissan Cube problems?

Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (20), steering (17), air bags (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Nissan Cube get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Nissan Cube at 27–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026