2010 Nissan Altima Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 Altima most often describe CVT transmission trouble - shuddering, delayed or lost acceleration, and the car dropping into a reduced-power mode with little warning. A second recurring theme is a sticky, melting dashboard that throws glare onto the windshield, and a third is the passenger-seat air bag light staying on. Complaints are spread across a wide mileage range, from near-new cars to well over 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   CVT shudder and sudden loss of acceleration

   • 82 complaints (22%)
   • median 54,964 mi at 4.9 yrs old (70 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2023

   Complaints describe the continuously variable transmission shuddering, jerking at steady highway speeds, or briefly refusing to move when the gas is pressed. Several owners report the car dropping into a reduced-power or fail-safe state after extended highway driving or in hot conditions, sometimes dropping to 20-25 mph. Dealers reportedly diagnosed low or overfilled transmission fluid, replaced the transmission or torque converter clutch solenoid, or told owners the CVT was covered by an extended warranty; some owners say the problem returned after repair. Reported from as little as 7,000 miles up to roughly 190,000 miles, often after long highway runs or in hot weather.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and whether the CVT fluid has been changed, and check for a whine or shudder during a steady 60-70 mph test drive. A pre-purchase scan for stored transmission codes is worth the cost.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car seems to be sending a signal to shift even though I am going a steady speed and there is no need to shift. This creates a jerking motion. I've noticed this problem occurring consistently at 60 MPH but also at 65, 70, and 75 MPH. Sometimes even at 45 MPH. The more warmed up the car is, the stronger the jerking motion and the more frequently this issue occurs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10553169, filed 2013-11, 97,610 miles

   “Subject: 2010 Nissan Altima hesitation problem contact information: NHTSA id: 370601 contact source: owner follow up/ I now have 42000 on the car and the fix did not work!! I am still having problems and have been back to the dealer numerous times. They did find low transmission fluid and are checking it once per month. My wife feels that there is enough concern that she does not drive it often. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10512789, filed 2013-05, 28,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Passenger air bag light stays on / seat sensor

   • 55 complaints (14%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Complaints describe the passenger air bag indicator showing off or staying lit even with an adult seated, or blinking intermittently. Dealers reportedly attributed it to the occupant classification sensor in the seat cushion and quoted replacing the whole cushion or seat. A few owners also report air bags not deploying in a collision. Reported across a wide range, from a few hundred miles to nearly 190,000 miles.

   What to check: With the car running and a passenger seated, confirm the passenger air bag lamp shows 'on'; ask whether the seat cushion sensor has ever been replaced and keep the receipt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The other driver made an illegal left turn causing the accident. The seat belts were buckled and the 2 front air bags activated. I am a mechanical engineer, I tried very hard to uncover the source of shrapnel injuries on my knees, on my head, and on my neck. Also, my wife received several shrapnel injuries on her head and on her body. Recently, I realized that these shrapnel injuries were caused by exploding plastic casings around the seat belts. The other driver was minimally insured. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10651981, filed 2014-11, 22,000 miles

   “The passanger air bag light is staying on showing the passenger air bag is off. Took to nissian and they are telling me its the sensor and that the whole seat has to be replaced. Im not sure what is causing this but nissian should be responsible for this. I see they recalled 2013-2016, but I think they need to look into this year models too. Its the same issue the other people are having with the ones that are recalled. Im so frustrated. Air bags should be something that should be fixed immediatly at no cost! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10870834, filed 2016-05, 100,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Sticky, melting dashboard and windshield glare

   • 84 complaints (22%)
   • median 60,532 mi at 7.5 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners describe the top of the dashboard turning shiny, sticky and in some cases gooey, with the material sticking to dash covers and cracking. The main complaint is the reflection it throws onto the windshield in sunlight, which owners say makes it hard to see the road. Some say the dealer confirmed it was a known condition but that free repairs were no longer offered. Typically reported on cars in hot, sunny climates, from around 46,000 to over 175,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the dashboard in direct sun for shine, tackiness or cracks and check whether a dash mat is hiding the surface. Ask how the car was parked (garaged vs. open lot).

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The material the dash is made from gets extremely hot and melts, and the upper dash has a glare that shines and comes off the dash into the windshield area & causes a major distraction from the glare. My 20-yr old drives this car and has almost crashed due to the glare. The dash needs replaced. I tried a photo, but does not show the glare.”

   NHTSA complaint #11353888, filed 2020-09, 80,000 miles

   “Vehicle was garaged for first four years in new york. Now in florida for 6 yrs. And dashboard is melting making it almost impossible to drive on sunny days. I fear having an accident as the glare from the melted dashboard is obstructing my view. Also concerned about breathing these chemicals. Consumer stated she did not here anything regarding the complaint.”

   NHTSA complaint #11317874, filed 2020-03, 73,000 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Cracked or corroded front strut mounts

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe front strut mounts or insulators needing replacement, the car veering or wobbling, and noises over bumps; a few owners mention corrosion in the rear suspension structure. Some owners note their VIN was not covered by the suspension campaign for strut insulators. Mostly reported from about 75,000 miles upward, with some early cases.

   Recall 09V358000

   What to check: Have the front strut mounts and rear crossmember inspected for cracking and corrosion, and ask whether the 09V358000 insulator campaign was ever applied to this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My struts beginning to sound horrible. I was traveling and as I would speed up the rpms would go higher making a whistling noise. Service engine light came on. I went had it put on a computer and it's said transmission and torque converter clutch solenoid.”

   NHTSA complaint #11221861, filed 2019-06, 187,000 miles

   “My check engine light came on and I made an appointment for monday at planet Nissan. On saturday 1/24/15 the light went off, but I've heard some knocking and the steering makes a rubbing sound. So far the master cylinder had to be replaced, which I filed a complaint here, and was reimbursed, but before reimbursement they told me my VIN did not match. So I find that questionable. I've put on new struts on the front and rear. Nissan said the check engine light had to do with the transmission and it was under warranty and has been repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10679462, filed 2015-01, 56,800 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   No-crank / push-button start and steering lock

   • 67 complaints (18%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (55 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $579 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners report pressing the push-to-start button and getting no crank, sometimes with dash lights on and no response from the button. Several link it to the electronic steering column lock, with the steering lock indicator coming on and the engine refusing to start, often on cold mornings. A related theme is repeated sensor and communication faults that shops could not resolve. Most often reported between about 40,000 and 100,000 miles, sometimes on cold mornings.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the electronic steering column lock service campaign was ever completed, and try a few cold starts to confirm the button works first time.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Error codes through sensor warnings, I replace one sensor now another sensor error. I'm about 1000.00 in replacing electricial issues and mechanic says the car is having electrical issues and he can't figure it out. Car won't run longer than 30 mins. Replaced crank shaft sensor and app sensor.”

   NHTSA complaint #11384184, filed 2020-12, 140,000 miles

   “My 2010 Nissan Altima has had difficulty starting. All the electrical components would come on but the engine wouldn't turnover. At first I could get it to start after a few tries (I would pump the brakes, slam the car hood, bang on the steering wheel). Then I noticed while driving the vds (traction control), ABS and parking brake light would remain illuminated while driving. This meant that my vds was not functioning and as such I lost control of my car several times on wet surfaces. On 4/22/2014 I tried starting my car and could not. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10584732, filed 2014-04, 40,000 miles

Buying note. Ask for transmission service history and check for CVT shudder on the test drive, since that is what owners complain about most. Also inspect the dashboard in sunlight and confirm the passenger air bag lamp behaves correctly before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.