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Nissan FrontierModel year report

2010 Nissan Frontier Problems

Compared with other Nissan Frontier years

More complaints than typical for this model

72/100 1.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2009, 2011, 2013

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
59filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
41,000miles, 43 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Nissan Frontier (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2010 Frontier most often write about the airbag warning light staying on or flashing, which dealers usually trace to the passenger-seat weight sensor, and about electrical no-start episodes where the dash gauges flutter or freeze. A separate group of complaints describes automatic transmission slipping and shuddering, in several cases after pink frothy coolant was found in the radiator and transmission fluid. Higher-mileage reports also cover rear axle seal leaks soaking the rear brakes and clunking from worn universal joints.

  1. Air bags

    Airbag warning light and passenger seat sensor

    • 13 complaints (22%)
    • median 56,878 mi at 7.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • filed 2010–2025

    The airbag warning light comes on or flashes and stays that way, sometimes right after start-up and sometimes with the passenger seat empty. Dealers most often point to the passenger seat weight/occupant sensor or the seat belt assembly, and owners describe being quoted large sums for a sensor or module replacement. Some report the light came back after the repair, and owners say they were told the condition is a common one on this truck. Most reports fall between roughly 14,000 and 110,000 miles, with many in the 27,000 to 73,000 mile range.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: On a test drive, confirm the airbag light goes out after the bulb check and that the passenger airbag status indicator reads correctly with an adult in the seat. Ask whether the occupant sensor or seat belt assembly has been replaced and whether the light stayed off afterwards.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Started my Nissan up and noticed the airbag light was on, no one sitting in the passager seat, it blinks off and on all the time now. I took to dealer and they tell me that the passager seat sensor is bad to fix it is going to cost 2900.00. I drove it the day before and everything was fine”

    NHTSA complaint #11131886, filed 2018-09, 69,800 miles

    “I have trouble shot the airbag light I have that has been blinking for a week now. I can not figure it out. I have noticed many posts on forums about this issue. I do not have a recall. The second issue is the truck idles rough, I have also seen many forums about this issue as well.”

    NHTSA complaint #11318793, filed 2020-03, 109,000 miles
  2. Electrical system

    No-start and flickering instrument gauges

    • 17 complaints (29%)
    • median 30,768 mi at 3.9 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • filed 2010–2025

    Owners describe turning the key and getting a click or nothing at all while the dash needles vibrate and sweep, occasionally with warning lights flashing across the panel. Others report power dropping out while driving, with the speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge falling to zero or freezing before coming back. Shops have cleaned battery posts, fitted new batteries and looked for corrosion without settling it, and owners describe dealers keeping the truck for extended periods without identifying the cause. Reported from a few hundred miles to well past 100,000 miles, though most appear below about 35,000 miles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check battery terminal and ground condition, watch the gauges through a start-up cycle, and ask the seller whether the truck has ever failed to start or lost power while driving.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When attempting to turn on the ignition all the dashboard needle indicators began to vibrate and there was a clicking noise from the ignition. After I removed the key from the ignition, the dashboard needles continue to vibrate for about 30 seconds. I hooked up a portable battery charger to the battery to attempt a jump start, but the vehicle would not start and the battery charger indicated a battery charged display. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10429224, filed 2011-10, 8,300 miles

    “My complaint is that my vehicle is turning off with a brand newly installed battery and my Nissan dealership cannot read my car to understand why this is happening. They kept my vehicle for close to a month and still did not fix the problem. The vehicle never fails to turn over, but it just loses power and turns off like someone snatched out the battery. Sometimes it fails to turn over, right away, but then it turns over and I can drive it a few miles before it stalls on me again, even while driving. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11033936, filed 2017-10
  3. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission shudder, slipping and coolant mixing

    • 10 complaints (17%)
    • median 114,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2011–2022

    Complaints describe the automatic transmission slipping or failing to move the truck when the driver accelerates from a stop, and a rumble-strip style vibration between roughly 40 and 60 mph. Owners who checked the radiator cap report pink, frothy fluid, which shops have tied to transmission fluid mixing with coolant. Several say fluid changes or new tires were suggested first without resolving the symptom. Spread from about 11,000 miles to beyond 200,000 miles, with the coolant-mixing reports coming at higher mileage.

    What to check: Look inside the radiator cap and at the transmission fluid for pink, milky residue before buying, and use a test drive at 40 to 60 mph to check for shudder or delayed engagement.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Transmission has been slipping. Happens frequently when stopped at a red light, stop sign...when time to go car does not move. Complained to Nissan dealer in 2014 and they suggested changing the fluid...could not find any problems. Fluid was changed and I am still having problems. Will be taking it to another dealer this week. I understand Nissan has had major issues with coolant leaking into transmission as I had a 2005 Nissan Frontier and this is what happened to me. Nissan would not compensate me as my mileage was 100+k. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10743605, filed 2015-07, 114,000 miles

    “Vehicle won't shift right. Was on highway when it wouldn't go very fast or shift. Only 5 miles from home, I took it home and checked the radiator cap, it is full of pink frothy anti freeze and oil. (milkshake)”

    NHTSA complaint #11210280, filed 2019-05, 240,000 miles
  4. Transmission and drivetrain

    Rear axle seal leaks and driveshaft clunk

    Mentioned in 4 of 46 sampled complaints

    Owners report gear oil seeping past the rear axle seals and saturating the rear brake components, in some cases along with a parking brake that no longer holds well. Others describe a clanking noise at low speed traced to worn universal joints, including repeat replacements, plus transfer case leaks. Work has been done under warranty in some cases, while owners of older trucks report paying for it themselves. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 67,000 miles, often around 41,000 miles.

    What to check: Look for oil weeping around the rear wheels and backing plates, check the rear differential fluid level, set the parking brake on a slope, and listen for a clunk from the driveline at low speed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The rear axle seals are leaking. There is a service bulletin at Nissan for this issue. So this is a known issue. Rear differential fluid is leaking on the rear brakes. This will cause rear brake failure. I think there has been numerous cases of this problem. Nissan best to my knowledge will only take care of this issue if the vehicle is under warranty.”

    NHTSA complaint #10545076, filed 2013-09, 67,000 miles

    “We have had the rear u joints replaced 3x on our truck and have rear axel fluid leak etc obviously the driveshaft is misaligned and eventually will fail. Also the transfer case and transfer case motor is failing. The first u joint incident happened in6/01/11 at mileage 41,638. The transfer case issue began 10/26/12 at mileage 76,380.”

    NHTSA complaint #10584601, filed 2014-04, 41,638 miles
  5. Air bags

    Airbag emblem recall parts unavailable

    Mentioned in 4 of 46 sampled complaints

    Owners who received notice of the driver airbag emblem recall report that dealers did not yet have the parts, with appointments scheduled only to be told the remedy was still on back order. Some describe the airbag warning light still being lit after they were told the recall work had been completed. Complaints describe waiting long periods and contacting the manufacturer without getting the repair done. Most of these reports did not state a mileage.

    Recall 23V0670001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask for the recall notice and any dealer paperwork for campaign 23V067000, and confirm by VIN whether the remedy has actually been performed rather than just scheduled.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11661500, filed 2025-05

    “The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled an appointment where the vehicle was inspected but the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11571592, filed 2024-02

Buying note. An airbag warning light and a slipping or shuddering transmission are the two patterns to check for on this model year, including looking for pink residue in the radiator and asking whether the driver airbag emblem recall has actually been completed. Rear axle seal leaks are also worth a look on higher-mileage trucks.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 46 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.

NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 2010 Nissan Frontier. 43 of the complaints include a mileage, and 56% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 41,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 107 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 13 Nissan Frontier model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 72 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Vehicle has flashing air bag light on. Dealer tells me the fix costs $2,500 dollars to repair! The vehicle has 59,757 miles on the odometer. The problem is a weight seat sensor in the passenger seat. The air bag light continues to flash when the vehicle is in motion. There has been a recall on this vehicle for the roof roll over (takata air bag sensor''?.)”

NHTSA complaint #11121498, filed 2018-08, 59,757 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I put my 2010 Nissan Frontier truck into four wheel low to back my camper into its parking area. The parking area is located at the top of a slight incline. After backing the camper into position I placed the truck into park and left it running while I secured the camper by placing chocks behind its wheels and putting a foundation for the jack. I removed the safety chains and the hitch lock from the camper and jacked it up. As the hitch came off the truck ball the truck began to roll down the hill freely. …”

NHTSA complaint #10428279, filed 2011-10, 19,232 miles

Electrical system: “With the trend towards laws banning hand held cell phone operation I purchased a 2010 Nissan Frontier pro4x on march 4, 2010 which includes a hands free feature. The hands free capability of my truck would not support safe driving in states that have or have pending legislation that ban hand held cell phone operation while driving. Since day one name recognition fails to find the correct person. All persons called complain about low, distant sounding volume with high levels of background noise (tunnel effect). …”

NHTSA complaint #10434155, filed 2011-11, 6 miles

Engine: “Engine idles too low: engine idles at approximately 600 rpms, when AC kicks in idle drops to 500 rpms or less causing vehicle to shutter and shake as if it is going to stall. Have taken vehicle back to dealer for reset, but vehicle still idles at around 600 RPM. Vehicle specs state vehicle should idle at 650 RPM +or- 50 rpms for v6 engine. This is too low when AC is turned on.”

NHTSA complaint #10881709, filed 2016-06, 26,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

56% of the 43 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,759 and 81,000 miles.

23%0–1012%10–2521%25–5016%50–757%75–10019%100–1502%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (43 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 41,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’119’13’15’17’19’21’23’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Nissan Frontier. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Frontier Crew Cab · sedan RWD/4WDnot rated4 / 4——4 · 19.8% risk
Frontier King Cab · coupe RWD/4WDnot rated4 / 5——4 · 19.8% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Nissan Frontier version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manual192321$3,200
Frontier 2WD2.5L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172219$3,550
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic152017$3,950
Frontier 2WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual162017$3,950
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual151917$3,950
Frontier 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic141916$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Nissan Frontier → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 107 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 107 bulletins →

Other model years of the Nissan Frontier

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026112,7001421—Too new
20259—3421—Too new
2024221,1003421—Too new
2023664,500142194 · MoreToo new
20221122,0006420100 · MoreRising
20212026,5002420—Rising
20202328,0002420—Rising
20192812,000141921 · FewerRising
2018259,7452—1931 · FewerRising
20173817,500141950 · TypicalStable
20164432,5001—1946 · TypicalStable
20153329,0000—1923 · FewerStable
20144235,0002—1944 · TypicalFalling
20134827,0001—1950 · TypicalStable
20128043,0003—1972 · MoreRising
20116447,8001—1949 · TypicalFalling
20105941,0004—1972 · MoreRising
20093760,0973—1956 · TypicalFalling
200813685,0005—1977 · MoreStable
200752082,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200661780,0004—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200553290,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20046661,0001—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20037765,5004—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212469,5004—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200113473,8503—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200018988,1253—19Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19997880,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
1998129110,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Nissan Frontier model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Frontier?

Owners of this 2010 Frontier most often write about the airbag warning light staying on or flashing, which dealers usually trace to the passenger-seat weight sensor, and about electrical no-start episodes where the dash gauges flutter or freeze. The issues reported most often: Airbag warning light and passenger seat sensor; No-start and flickering instrument gauges; Transmission shudder, slipping and coolant mixing.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Nissan Frontier have?

NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 2010 Nissan Frontier as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Nissan Frontier is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 19 complaints (32% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 15.

Has the 2010 Nissan Frontier been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Nissan Frontier (Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Nissan Frontier reported?

Among the 43 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 41,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,759 and 81,000 miles; 56% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.