Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Nissan Frontier problems

Owners filed 59 complaints about the 2010 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA between Mar 2010 and May 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (19).

Complaints
59
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags19
  2. Power train15
  3. Electrical system9
  4. Engine7
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Structure3
  7. Engine and engine cooling2
  8. Steering2
  9. Vehicle speed control2
  10. Fuel system, gasoline2
  11. Wheels1
  12. Seat belts1
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  14. Suspension1

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 10, 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
20104
20119
20125
20131
20144
20157
20163
20177
20182
20194
20202
20211
20222
20234
20242
20252

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

Air bags

19 reports1 crash1 related recall
“I took my truck in to a dealership to fix the airbag recall. I do not believe they fixed it because the airbag light is still on on my dash board. It is the only light on as this truck is low miles and regularly maintained.. I asked them and they just said, "we fixed it." However, they did not.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2025Air bagsODI 11661500

Power train

15 reports1 crash
“Radiator failure leaking into tranny, causing a sound coming from transmission as if driving over a rumble strips when accelerating between 40-60mph, as well as sudden jerking when changing gears. SMOD residue (creamy pink fluid) present on radiator cap. This is a known issue that I was never made aware of during nor after purchase. Obviously this was not addressed prior to the sale by the Nissan Dealership. No warning signs were present prior to the issue appearing. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet as I am only now learning of this problem, however I have made arrangements. The issue is confirmed by third parties. Vehicle is available for further inspection upon request. The issue first appeared about 2 weeks ago but symptoms were milder and progressively became more noticeable. Sudden transmission failure on the highway could be catastrophic and is part of my daily driving routine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2022Power train, EngineODI 11488994

Electrical system

9 reports
“On October 29, 2016 my airbag light came on and stayed on. Took it to Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg FL. They charged me $95.00 to check the problem, then said it would be $800.00 to replace the module but if that didn’t work the next thing they could try would be $1,000.00, but they could not guarantee that it would fix the problem. Then my tire pressure light came on and stayed on about 3 years ago…same scenario with Jenkins Nissan… you pay us, but no guarantee that they can fix it. Then my horn stopped working about a year ago. Same scenario with Jenkins Nissan. I took my truck to another mechanic, everything is fixed for one price. The problem with everything was evidently connected. These issues in my opinion are safety hazards and should be recalled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2022Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11471266

Engine

7 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH A FUEL EMISSION DEFECT. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO PALM SPRINGS NISSAN (68177 KYLE RD, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2020EngineODI 11343455

Service brakes

4 reports
“I have had this issue for years and unable to fix it. My solution was not to drive my truck in snowy weather. The first incident was I was driving down hill around with snow that barely started to stick. I driving around 65mph when my truck started to buck. I slowed to 30mph and my truck was still bucking. It did not stop until the weather warmed. By the next storm I was traveling around 60mph in light snow and my truck slid. I slowed to 50mph and when going uphill my truck lost control. It felt like the brakes locked. I tired to get control without pressing the brakes that did not work and when I did press the brakes it felt like my petal was already pushed down. I shifted the truck to gain control. Since then I have never drove that truck above 35 mph in snow. After a few weeks of bad weather the truck would either buck or just not move. The truck finally throw a code saying the right rear wheel speed sensor had a weak connection. I took the truck to three mechanics were they found nothing wrong and could not mimic my issue. I replaced my speed sensor myself. I was able drive the truck in snow without it bucking but the truck would still lock up the brakes…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2025Wheels, Service brakesODI 11657277

Structure

3 reports
“2010 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A BUMPER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUMPER HE PURCHASED HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF ONE OF THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, IT MADE CONTACT WITH A METAL POWER STEERING LINE, AND FROM THE VIBRATION, IT RUBBED THROUGH THE LINE CAUSING TOTAL FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE LOCATION OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SEEN BEFORE OR DURING INSTALLATION, BUT ONLY WITH THE BUMPER ON, BY LOOKING THROUGH AN OPENING LESS THAN TWO INCHES, AT JUST THE RIGHT ANGLE, WITH A FLASH LIGHT. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 10, 2011Steering, StructureODI 10400361
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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